Hanger options?

[TWinter]

Right now I'm in a enclosed hanger at my local hometown airport. The hanger is a typical enclosed T-Hanger with the big heavy sliding doors. The units on a 1-10 scale..maybe a 6, pretty old, but do the job. There is no insulation on the walls or ceilings, just a single overhead light-bulb. I have installed several sets of hanging fluorescents and that helps. The apron taxi area is just okay, there are getting to be some pretty deep ruts. They are working on possibly resurfacing next year. It is basically a metal shell with some gaps (occasional birds make their way in), not often, but occasionally. Fuel is priced about average and there is a restaurant on the field. After hours there is no FBO access to bathrooms or concession machines. There is SS fuel. No mechanics or service available at this airport (KDYR). Putting the plane in does require a "Sidewinder" and small ramps be placed before putting her up. Pavement and hanger are uneven at the doors. Just noticed you can see the apron condition and the hanger in the background of my avatar.

 

However, with all that in mind..I live only 6 miles from the airport and can be there in about 5-10 minutes. Rent is $150 a month (sorry east and west coast guys, not rubbing it in- You guys/gals have it tough with high hanger fees). I also own a business here in town so it's always good to be in friendly with the aviation crowd in hopes of friendship....and hope they might join my health club etc and help my business as well. I've been hangered here for just over four years.

 

Now, here is the deal..Across the river in Caruthersville, Missouri (M05) where I get my annuals done and where my A/Ps shop is they have just built eight nice NEW hangers. About the same sq ft as where I am now, BUT..full insulation, all full size electric folding door with separate entry door, full access inside the FBO even during after hours. Freshly paved apron and I am allowed to finish the interior as I want. Maybe epoxy floor, ceiling fans..pretty much whatever I want to do, at my expense of course. The catch is that it about 18 miles from where I live. It's a different atmosphere, very quite and much smaller FBO and smaller field. No restaurant and of course the potential gain customers for my business is pretty much null being in a different town. It takes about three times as long to get there as it does for me right now. The hanger fee is $125 a month, $25 less then what I pay now. The bad is the fuel is crazy high because they are mostly known for service/repair, not so much a FBO stop over. They hope to drop fuel prices to be competitive after the hangers get opened up..no promises though.

 

I'm on the list with a small deposit to hold one for me. Probably another three weeks before they are ready. Can't decide if newer is better or stick with what I know works for me and stay put...Sure would be nice with insulation in the winter, but the drive might get old when I just want to tinker with the plane?  Stay where I am or give something new a try?

 

I'm not leaning one way or the other..both have pros/cons.

 

PS. Electric is already included at both.

[KSMooniac]

I just moved into a bigger/newer hangar with an electric bi-fold door, but no insulation (same airport).  My previous hangar sounds like your current one, except that the interior condition was terrible... water, dirt, BIRDS, occasional rodent, etc.  All it did was keep the hail off my plane, and allow me to keep lots of stuff in my own space.  The new one is MUCH nicer and should keep the plane cleaner, and of course give me more room to work without bumping into things.  It is $100/mo more than I was paying, but I offset that by vacating a $90 storage unit and moving some of the crap to the new hangar.  For me, the upgrade was a no-brainer.  I need to put up more overhead lights, lay out my vinyl floor coverings, fans, etc.  I wish it had insulation.

 

In your case, I'd figure out how much you currently work on your plane yourself, or plan to in the future, and try to set up the nicest space you can.  If the "penalty" is only an additional 10 minutes of driving time, that is a fair trade IMO.  Vacating your current hangar might spur the city to make improvements to attract new customers, or even you, to come back.  If you want to spend much time in your hangar, going for new and nice with insulation is an easy choice.  If you just pull the plane out and put it away, then having it closer to home is better IMO.

[Oldguy]

In looking at the airports on the iPad, each seems to have adequate approaches for IFR if that would ever be a concern. You were right when you said fuel was crazy high -  the latest figures for AVGAS show M05 to be $2.00 higher. Is that right? I enjoy not being cold when I am at the airport in winter, but I probably qualify as a member of the CB club. One fill a month would give me pause about paying that much more for fuel.

 

Like you, I currently live only 5 minutes (7 if I hit the one light wrong) from my hangar, but I am not sure living even 20 minutes away would change the time I spend at the airport. Another M20J driver down here lives 30+ minutes from his plane, but it is at the closest airport to him and he logs about 150 hours a year, so I will say proximity is what you are comfortable with.

 

All of this is to say you will have to decide what are the highest priorities for you. Comfortable hangar, on-field amenities, proximity to your business, access to your mechanic, reasonable fuel price or low driving time? I would second what Scott said - think about how much time you currently spend with your plane and if that would change with the new hangar.

 

And if you do decide to move, I would definitely let the current FBO know - in a nice way - your reasons for changing. As a business owner yourself, I am fairly sure you want to know why you lost a sale/member so you could fix it if possible.

 

John

[22 others]

Time is the most valuable asset I have. Deciding what gets done, what doesn't; who gets attention, and who needs to wait is my biggest challenge. I'd pay extra to drive less and get to stop by the airport that is along a route I might take for something else.

 

...except when it comes to fuel. I feel a need to reward places that go out of their way to have cheap fuel and Kennett is just a hop away. But airplane time is different than Car time. I love one. Dread the other.

[KSMooniac]

My home base has the highest fuel in the region, and I haven't bought any from them in many, many years.  With the fuel economy of a Mooney and an accurate fuel totalizer, I have plenty of confidence to launch on any given mission knowing what I have on board, and buying fuel when it is convenient and cheaper.  Having cheap fuel on the field is a luxury IMO, but not a necessity for me.

 

I agree with Josh re: time being valuable.  I've been realizing that more every year as time goes by.  Having a comfortable hangar can help with increased productivity year-round if you like to work on your own plane, vs. waiting for better weather.  I get extreme hot and cold, so I'm sometimes hamstrung when it is time for an owner-assist annual.  But like everything else, there is a tradeoff if you need to drive further to get to a nicer hangar!  The local "fun" field with lots of activity is an extra 15 minutes or so past my current hangar and I debate constantly about buying/building a NICE hangar out there someday, or even moving entirely to the field to live.  As it stands today, though, I cannot afford it so it is moot, but it is fun to dream and plan.  More time with my plane and others on the field, but farther from town and those amenities...

[TWinter]

Kennett, MO   KTKX  is only 10 minutes flight time..pre-flight would take longer than the flight from the new hanger..They are $3.69 SS today..   My current home field is $4.10 SS  

[Mooneymite]

I built my own hangar.  It is the only way to re-coup some of the money it costs to hangar an airplane.

 

Can you own your own hangar in either location?

 

A "through the fence" agreement where you can own the land off airport would be best.

[TWinter]

Some airports (such as Kennett mentioned above) will let you build your own. I'm not sure about all the logistics as far as property ownership etc..I think you just own the hanger and can pass it on to new owners etc. Kind of win/win for the airport. Presently I own more property (and property taxes ) than I want. It all barely pays for itself so I don't know if I would want to own more real estate/property. I'm sure there would be some taxes involved. As I get older I say rent/lease and let someone else worry about the rest. Within the next 10-15 years I'm hoping to be retired on the coast somewhere with my biggest decision being how far and where to fly to the next weekend. In my MOONEY of course .

[cliffy]

When you're retired (like me :-) every day is Saturday! Where do I fly to today? Why wait to the weekend?

[pirate]

I picked a better hangar 12 years ago and I'm still happy I did it. I went from .10 min drive to a .35 min drive and I get out 2-3 times per week to either fly or whatever.

[cliffy]

BTW "throught the fence" options are now frozen per FAA at any airport not grandfathered in that recieves FAA funds. Can't be done unless truely a private unfunded airport.

[Rhumbline]

The question and also any advice is highly subjective.  Proximity, however, seems to be a major consideration.  I rented a hangar 35 miles away at an airport with cheap gas and maintenance but 90 miles away from my vacation home.  I later bought a hangar at an airport with expensive fuel and virtually no maintenance roughly equidistant between the two homes.  I now fly three or four times a week year 'round where the I flew only once or twice a week at best and discounted taking a trip or two for part of the year due to the drive from the more distant home. 

 

Again, individual results may vary.   

[Bob_Belville]

Tom, one consideration in favor of moving that I don't think has been mentioned is maintenance. If you like to work on your plane yourself having your A&P nearby greatly expands what you can do. I do over half the work involved in my annual. Get's it done faster and cheaper but more importantly I know more and more about the plane's systems and condition. We do the annuals in my hanger. I also can change oil and fix stuff that breaks knowing that if I run into something questionable, if I need advise, or a sign off Lynn is 2 hangers away.

 

If I discover something that ought to be fixed before another flight and parts have to be ordered it is much better to have the plane in my hanger while we're waiting. Failed mags, fouled plugs are often discovered during runup. It's much more convenient for that to be where your mechanic is.   

[neilpilot]

May not be a factor, but you want to know if MO will hit you up for any use tax or other fees if you move from TN.  I live in TN but hangar in AR, and that has allowed me to dodge the TN use tax for the last 2 Mooneys.

[C-GHIJ]

Hanger rent for $150 bucks and avgas at $4.00 a gallon, boy have you got it good.  You're luck to find a hanger here for under $500 a month and avgas is $2.00 a litre, that's $8.00 a gallon.  Christ, I need to move to the US to help support my flying habit.......if you only had healthcare.

[Guest]

Hanger rent for $150 bucks and avgas at $4.00 a gallon, boy have you got it good.  You're luck to find a hanger here for under $500 a month and avgas is $2.00 a litre, that's $8.00 a gallon.  Christ, I need to move to the US to help support my flying habit.......if you only had healthcare.

Now you've done it! Our free health care is substandard, but at least we cover everyone.

Clarence

[Bravoman]

Hanger rent for $150 bucks and avgas at $4.00 a gallon, boy have you got it good.  You're luck to find a hanger here for under $500 a month and avgas is $2.00 a litre, that's $8.00 a gallon.  Christ, I need to move to the US to help support my flying habit.......if you only had healthcare.

And if we get back to allowing the free market to do its thing, we will once again have real healthcare! This is America! No one is guaranteed a Mooney or healthcare!

Regards, Frank

[Marauder]

Hanger rent for $150 bucks and avgas at $4.00 a gallon, boy have you got it good. You're luck to find a hanger here for under $500 a month and avgas is $2.00 a litre, that's $8.00 a gallon. Christ, I need to move to the US to help support my flying habit.......if you only had healthcare.

I wonder how it would work if you had dual citizenship and split time between each country. Feeling good, go fly in the states. Under the weather, head to Canada

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[C-GHIJ]

From what I hear. it's near impossible to get a green card.  I could only imagine how hard it would be to get duel citizenship.  If only!!!!!

[Guest]

From what I hear. it's near impossible to get a green card.  I could only imagine how hard it would be to get duel citizenship.  If only!!!!!

And be taxed on your world wide income in both countries, that would be a bit painful.

Clarence

[Browncbr1]

Hanger rent for $150 bucks and avgas at $4.00 a gallon, boy have you got it good. You're luck to find a hanger here for under $500 a month and avgas is $2.00 a litre, that's $8.00 a gallon. Christ, I need to move to the US to help support my flying habit.......if you only had healthcare.

We have healthcare. There are a lot of hospitals around.

If I could only find a hangar for $150, that would be sweet

[DrBill]

My airport is 3mi away from home.In 2003 i built a fabric hangar on airport property (private owned, public access) for $8AMU (3 for concrete, 5 for structure).  i just replaced the front door (worn out) for 1AMU.  I pay 70/mo for "tie down fee" vs 160 for a T shade port. One similar to mine just sold for 8amu with no doors (front or back). The one next door, a US Steel hangar is asking 18amu. (see avatar for picture).

Fuel is 465/gal and tennants get it for 415. No inst approach.

I'm happy. it fits my flying well and once I get over the broken arm and pelvis from falling off the ladder Wed putting up the new door. I'll be back in the air.

(stupid mistake causing the fall). Just came home from hosp yesterday.

This works for me.  The wife and I were talking about moving our home about 30 mins away.  I've decided to keep the plane and hangar where it is and put up with the travel.

We have a nice friendly atmosphere and the manager puts on two airport days a year (spring and fall) where all come for free food and the neighbors get to go on airplane rides.

Hearing from all you guys, has me convinced I've got a good thing going.

 

BILL

[Marauder]

Bill -- sounds like a great setup. Hope you mend quickly!

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[Mooneymite]

Just came home from hosp yesterday.

BILL

Hmmmmm.

I broke my leg working above my Hangar door several years ago.

This proves Mooneys are safer at altitude than ladders.

[Hank]

Heal quickly, Bill!!