Ruth Haines
A hangar is a building or structure designed to hold, store and protect aircraft or spacecraft. They are usually constructed from metal, wood or concrete and are large enclosures with high ceilings and wide doors to accommodate aircraft. Hangars are used for protection from the elements, maintenance, repair, manufacture, assembly and storage of aircraft. They can vary in size, purpose and features, with some hangars accommodating large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. The type of hangar used depends on the size and type of aircraft, frequency of use and the specific needs of the airport or aircraft operator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A hangar is a building or structure designed to hold aircraft or spacecraft. |
| Purpose | Hangars are used for protection from the weather, direct sunlight, theft, and for maintenance, repair, manufacture, assembly, and storage of aircraft. |
| Construction | Hangars can be built with metal, wood, or concrete. They are usually large enclosed structures with high ceilings to fit an airplane's tail and wide doors to accommodate wings or rotors. |
| Types | T, box, open-front, portable, and XXL hangars for the largest aircraft. |
| Funding | Funding for hangars can come from grants, loans, or FAA entitlements. |
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What You'll Learn
Hangar uses: storing, maintaining, and protecting aircraft
Hangars are large enclosed structures designed to store, maintain and protect aircraft. They are typically constructed from metal, wood or concrete, with large doors to accommodate aircraft entering and exiting. The size and type of hangar used will depend on the size and type of aircraft, the frequency of use, and the specific needs of the airport or aircraft operator. For example, XXL hangars are built to accommodate the largest aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747 and Antonov 225. These hangars are the most complex to erect due to their size.
Hangars provide protection from the elements, including changing weather conditions such as rain, snow, hail and strong winds. They also offer a more suitable environment for mechanics to work on aircraft, allowing for maintenance, repairs, fuelling and assembly. Hangars can also be used for the final assembly of aircraft, as well as storage. Some airports use hangars for emergency response and firefighting operations, with the necessary equipment and personnel ready to respond to aviation-related emergencies.
Aircraft stored in hangars are protected from theft, with some military hangars also providing protection from enemy reconnaissance aircraft or spy satellites. Military hangars are typically reinforced with concrete to prevent damage to aircraft in the event of an explosion or attack. Hangars can also help to reduce the risk of corrosion, which, if left untreated, can render an aircraft unairworthy within a few years.
The cost of hangar maintenance can be significant, with regular inspections required to identify issues such as fraying cables and ensure aeronautical use. Funding for hangars can be a challenge for airports, with limited funding available to meet the demand for these structures. However, grants and loans are available to assist with the construction and maintenance of hangars, recognising their importance in the upkeep of aircraft.
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Types of hangars: T, box, open-front, portable, and more
Hangars are large enclosed structures designed to store and protect aircraft from changing weather conditions and strong winds. They are usually located near the airport runway and taxiway areas for easy access to the flight line. Hangars can be permanent or temporary, and the type of hangar used depends on the size and type of aircraft, the frequency of use, and the specific needs of the airport or aircraft operator. Some common types of hangars include:
T-hangars
Also known as Tee hangars or nested hangars, these are rectangular buildings often in the shape of a "T". They are typically constructed of metal and are used to store multiple smaller aircraft like single-engine planes and helicopters. T-hangars are more economical than rectangular hangars and have doors on both sides of the structure. There are two types of Tee hangars: standard (sometimes called stacked) and nested. Standard Tee hangars provide additional storage area and can use rolling doors, while nested Tee hangars require less building material and reduce the length of the taxiway needed.
Box hangars
Box hangars are large, rectangular-shaped hangars that offer more space and flexibility than T-hangars. They can accommodate multiple aircraft, including mid-sized to large aircraft, corporate jets, and helicopters. Box hangars may also include storage space for repair equipment and tools or amenities like office spaces.
Open-front hangars
These hangars have an open front that provides easy access for aircraft. They are often used for aircraft that require frequent access, such as those used in flight schools or for charter flights.
Portable hangars
Portable hangars are temporary or semi-permanent structures designed for rapid deployment or quick setup. They are often used in military operations, disaster relief, or for events, air shows, and aircraft maintenance projects.
Corporate hangars
Corporate hangars are custom-designed hangars with amenities such as offices, lounges, and restrooms to accommodate the needs of corporate flight operators and their clients.
Maintenance hangars
Maintenance hangars are large hangars designed specifically for aircraft repairs, maintenance, and inspections. They incorporate ergonomic design to provide sufficient movement space and appropriate working heights. They may also include workshops and other infrastructure to support maintenance tasks.
Other types of hangars include helicopter hangars, cargo hangars, and military hangars, each designed to meet the specific needs of different aircraft and operations.
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Hangar construction: materials, structure, and size
Hangars are buildings or structures designed to hold aircraft or spacecraft. They are used for protection from the elements, direct sunlight, and for the maintenance, repair, manufacture, assembly, and storage of aircraft.
Materials
Hangars can be constructed from metal, wood, or concrete. Concrete floors in hangars need to be reinforced to bear the strain of aircraft landing gear, which focuses the entire weight of the aircraft into very small areas. The concrete floors also need an epoxy coating to protect the underlying concrete from damage and corrosive fluids. Due to the presence of fuel, hangars need fire-control systems and flame-resistant construction materials to prevent fires from spreading to neighbouring hangars.
Structure
Hangars need large doors to accommodate aircraft entrances. The bigger the aircraft, the more complex the structure needed. Hangars can be fixed or portable. Portable fabric structures can be built up to 215 ft (66 m) wide, 100 ft (30 m) high, and to any length. They can accommodate several aircraft and can be increased in size or relocated. Hangars are regulated by building codes in the countries and jurisdictions where they reside.
Size
Hangar sizes vary depending on the aircraft they are designed to accommodate. XXL hangars are built for the largest aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and Antonov 225. Hangar No. 2 at MCAS Tustin, designed to accommodate blimps, measures 1,072 ft (327 m) long, 292 ft (89 m) wide, and 192 ft (59 m) tall. Hangar One in Mountain View, California, is one of the largest hangars ever built, measuring 1,133 ft × 308 ft × 198 ft (345 m × 94 m × 60 m).
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Hangar history: from German Zeppelin airships to modern airports
A hangar is a building or structure designed to hold and protect aircraft, spacecraft, or airships. The word "hangar" comes from the Middle French "hanghart", meaning "enclosure near a house", which is of Germanic origin. Hangars are typically constructed from metal, wood, or concrete, and they are regulated by building codes in the countries and jurisdictions where they are located.
The history of hangars can be traced back to the late 19th century when the first real airship hangar, Hangar "Y", was built in 1879 near Paris. However, the construction of the first operational rigid airship LZ1 by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in 1899 is considered the beginning of the era of big rigid airships and the associated large airship hangars. The development of Zeppelin hangars continued in Germany before World War I, with rotating hangars built at Biesdorf and Nordholz Airbase. During the Golden Age of airship travel around 1900, governments worldwide constructed mooring masts and sheds to build and house airships, including the Hangar do Zeppelin for German Zeppelins.
During World War I, standard hangar designs emerged, including the RFC General Service Flight Shed and the Admiralty F-Type of 1916. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company constructed the Wingfoot Lake Airship Hangar in 1917 for the production of non-rigid airships. In the 1920s and 1930s, even larger hangars were built for the Hindenburg-class airships in Germany, Brazil, and at airports like Bartolomeu de Gusmão Airport in Rio de Janeiro. Hangar No. 1 at Lakehurst Naval Airship Station, completed in 1921, became known for the Hindenburg disaster in 1937 when the German airship Hindenburg crashed and burned while landing.
During World War II, seventeen large hangars were built to house US Navy blimps, and after the war, the focus shifted to more portable and temporary hangar designs. In modern times, hangar designs continue to evolve to accommodate various aircraft sizes and types, with XXL hangars being built for the largest aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747. Hangars are now an integral part of airports, providing protection from the elements, direct sunlight, and spaces for maintenance, repair, assembly, and storage of aircraft.
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Hangar operations: funding, maintenance, and inspections
Hangars are buildings designed to hold and protect aircraft from the weather and direct sunlight. They are also used for maintenance, repair, manufacture, assembly, and storage. The size of a hangar depends on the size of the aircraft it is intended to house. XXL hangars, for instance, are built to accommodate the largest aircraft in the world, such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and Antonov 225.
Funding
Hangar operations require funding for construction, maintenance, and inspections. For example, the University of North Dakota received approval for $20 million in funding in 2019 to build a new hangar, which was increased to $45 million in 2024.
Maintenance
Maintenance of hangars is critical to ensure the safety and functionality of the structure and the aircraft it houses. Regular maintenance tasks include cleaning, repairing any damage, and ensuring the electrical system is functioning properly.
Inspections
Hangar inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with safety and operational regulations. During inspections, various aspects are examined, including:
- Ensuring that all containers are properly labelled, with hazardous materials stored in a central location and within the allowed limit of 10 gallons.
- Verifying that power strips and extension cords are plugged directly into the main outlet and unplugged when not in use.
- Checking that fire extinguishers are certified, easily accessible, and in their assigned locations.
- Confirming that the hangar is used solely for aircraft storage and that any non-compliant items are removed.
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