Hangar on grass strip or outside with asphalt RWYs

[1964-M20E]

Hey guys I just want some opinions and thoughts.

 

I am contemplating moving my plane from its current airport.

 

Current airport NEW:

1. 
   
2. Outside on the ramp
   
3. Multiple runways perpendicular to each other
   
4. Control tower most of the time.
   
5. Instrument approaches
   
6. FBO handles the plane once I put the covers on it
   
7. Call ahead and the pane is waiting at the front of the FBO when I get there
   
8. Multiple mechanics on field and avionics shop
   

 

 

The new airport:

1. 
   
2. Has several hangars available to buy (a top with one or more sides closed in) each hangar has its pros and cons size, condition etc.
   
3. One hangar has a 65 M20E might be part of a package deal though the plane is a serious fix up and I really do not need another airplane or project but I hate to see it sit there.
   
4. You always own the hangar though not the land it is on.
   
5. Grass strip
   
6. No control tower
   
7. Very close to tower of major Class B air space MSY
   
8. No instrument approaches but you can circle to land form the Class B
   
9. The airport is long established in its location and the monthly fees are less than what I pay for a ramp tie down now.
   
10. Cheaper fuel
    
11. The drive from my house is about 10 minutes longer (miles about the same) to the airport and a little shorter if I leave straight from work.
    
12. Work locations are always subject to changes for what ever reason.
    
13. On field older mechanic
    
14. I’ve landed there before most recently last summer with my Mooney
    
15. With the hangar I can paint my plane which is in serious need
    

[carusoam]

64E,

 

Things that come to mind.....

How's your rain today?

How soft does the field get?  

How long does it stay soft after the rain?

I am planning on getting your weather tomorrow, was thinking about you.

Best regards,

-a-

[1964-M20E]

Good points I went out there today to see and strip itself seemd pretty good.  One pilot told me that ater a rain land further to the north on the strip.  The taxiways near the hangars were pretty wet depedning on which one you look at. Some have paved taxiways to the strip.

Like I mentions there are pros and cons to each of the hangars I'm looking at.  I guess I'm in a prety good position right now since there are several availabe.  I can build my own as well but that would mean more up front costs.

Yes we had a tremenddous amont of rain here with localized street flooding.

 

 

 

[John Pleisse]

I would take the hangar any day. Runway can't have rutts and with th kind of rain you guys get down there, I would seriously evalute the runway condition.

[DaV8or]

If the hangars at the new field aren't proper, fully enclosed hangars, I would skip it and keep looking. If they are fully enclosed with either a concrete or asphalt floor, then I would strongly consider it. I see your problem though, pluses and minuses. Tough call.

[Steve65E-NC]

Check with your insurance company before moving a Mooney to a grass field base.  I considered it last year, but after talking to my agent, decided against it.  At 68 I want to minimize the minus score that the insurance company has to look at.  I think your agent will be happy to trial shop for a rate with the proposed basing.

[Shadrach]

Quote: Steve65E-NC

Check with your insurance company before moving a Mooney to a grass field base.  I considered it last year, but after talking to my agent, decided against it.  At 68 I want to minimize the minus score that the insurance company has to look at.  I think your agent will be happy to trial shop for a rate with the proposed basing.

[Shadrach]

Quote: 1964-M20E

Hey guys I just want some opinions and thoughts.

 

I am contemplating moving my plane from its current airport.

 

Current airport NEW:

Outside on the ramp

Multiple runways perpendicular to each other

Control tower most of the time.

Instrument approaches

FBO handles the plane once I put the covers on it

Call ahead and the pane is waiting at the front of the FBO when I get there

Multiple mechanics on field and avionics shop

 

 

The new airport:

Has several hangars available to buy (a top with one or more sides closed in) each hangar has its pros and cons size, condition etc.

One hangar has a 65 M20E might be part of a package deal though the plane is a serious fix up and I really do not need another airplane or project but I hate to see it sit there.

You always own the hangar though not the land it is on.

Grass strip

No control tower

Very close to tower of major Class B air space MSY

No instrument approaches but you can circle to land form the Class B

The airport is long established in its location and the monthly fees are less than what I pay for a ramp tie down now.

Cheaper fuel

The drive from my house is about 10 minutes longer (miles about the same) to the airport and a little shorter if I leave straight from work.

Work locations are always subject to changes for what ever reason.

On field older mechanic

I’ve landed there before most recently last summer with my Mooney

With the hangar I can paint my plane which is in serious need

[Steve65E-NC]

Ross,  Nope, no mention of grass or not on my policy.  They DO ASK in the application and I always say occassional landing on grass.  Never been an issue.  In fact I have my annual preformed at a grass strip and the agent has no problem with that.  However, when I checked, the agent said the basing might be an issue.  I am not talking about this year's policy, but rather next year's policy, where the grass field will be listed as home on the application.  I don't think "grass" is the whole issue.  Reduced security typical at grass  facilities probably also enters in.  I thought this was clear in my post.

[Shadrach]

Quote: Steve65E-NC

Ross,  Nope, no mention of grass or not on my policy.  They DO ASK in the application and I always say occassional landing on grass.  Never been an issue.  In fact I have my annual preformed at a grass strip and the agent has no problem with that.  However, when I checked, the agent said the basing might be an issue.  I am not talking about this year's policy, but rather next year's policy, where the grass field will be listed as home on the application.  I don't think "grass" is the whole issue.  Reduced security typical at grass  facilities probably also enters in.  I thought this was clear in my post.

[rbridges]

if it's a good smooth grass field that does not get soft from rain, I'd go with the hangar, even if it's an open T hangar.  You can always fly to the other field if you need their mechanics.  

Personally, I don't like our local grass strip.  It's 2000 ft shorter, and some areas to the sides are bumpy.  I've heard of people having prop strikes after hard rains or when taxiing too fast.

Of course, I'm basing it on my flying habits.  I'm VFR, so I don't need ILS.  If you fly into windy days or bad weather, you might want the benefit of the ILS and perpendicular runways.

[M20F]

What do you view is the advantage of having a hanger over not having a hanger and I can give you a better answer.

[John Pleisse]

Quote: Shadrach

Hmmm, My insurance company has no preference for asphalt over grass...  Is intentionally operating on turf exempted in your policy?

[Piloto]

Your plane is going to be more affected by hail, rain, wind and sun than by the grass strip. Besides hangar protection you get to work on your plane much easier than on the ramp. I would go for the hangar/grass field.

 

José

[Shadrach]

Quote: Piloto

Your plane is going to be more affected by hail, rain, wind and sun than by the grass strip. Besides hangar protection you get to work on your plane much easier than on the ramp. I would go for the hangar/grass field.

 

José

[Shadrach]

Quote: N4352H

Hmmm, My insurance company has no preference for asphalt over grass...  Is intentionally operating on turf exempted in your policy?