How to build a Hangar

[W.J.Langholz]

Here's the next question.

I measured the hanger in town that my plane is in now and it is 45Wx40deep, and fits just fine. Plenty of room for supplies and a bench of some kind.

What size should a single plane hanger be?

[GAHorn]

There's an old saying: Engines, anchors, bilge-pumps, ...the bigger the better. (and there's a couple other things that may apply)

Build it as big as you can afford. Otherwise, keep in mind the 170 is 25' long and 37' wide and 6' tall. You'll need enough extra room to avoid hangar rash, and it has to be large enough to allow the door to fit within the front wall and must be sufficiently large to accomodate future plans, ... not to mention a refrigerator, wet-bar and cot for when you're banned from the house.) And you might later acquire a larger plane or sell the hangar to someone with a larger plane. It'd be a shame to find the hangar too small once it's built, either way.

I built mine 50 X 50 and I had no problem filling it up with additional vehicles, tools, workbenches, etc.. (and you may find a friend willing to pay or trade services to store his in there too!)

(Don't forget that airplane tails frequently stand taller on tricycle gear airplanes.... don't let your door header be too low for the future plane or future owner..... minimum in my opinion is 13" high by 40' wide, so your hangar must be large enough to accomodate the door.)