building a hangar

[Guppydriver]

Has anyone been thru the process of building a corporate hangar? I need about 15,000 square feet of storage and have been asked by the boss to take the project from conception all the way to project completion. I am looking for insight from folks who may have done something similar. Right now I am reviewing the land choices and I meet with two different engineering firms next week to discuss design. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[h25b]

Haven't personally been through this saga, but a friend of the family owns a construction company that has done several for large corporations. It's not unlike building your house. You've gotta figure out: (1) What you have to have (office space, hangar floor space to include any future fleet growth, passenger lobby needs, galley space, yada yada yada...), what you'd like to have, and what's nice to have but you can live without to come in under budget.

EVERYONE, from the top boss on down through yourself and fellow pilots need to be involved because you'll be hearing about all the things you should've done but didn't for years to come. Don't forget the needs of the company's customers that may be coming through as this is most often their first impression of the company on a corporate visit.

My best suggestion is to go with someone who's done quite a few from start to finish and their going to guide you through the process. Take the opportunity to drop in on a few hangars while on the road to get ideas from others.

Good luck!

 

[Gulfstream 200]

Do a search in previous magazines (AIN) and check for GE's hangar in KSWF.

model it just like that and nobody can EVER complain.

 

[rice]

Went through the process about 5 years ago and had the unenviable position of clearing the "punch list" after construction was completed. It is just like building a house (x10).

Listen to H25b's advice, involve everyone in the flight dept during the planning stage. It will alleviate much second guessing later on. Visit as many QUALITY hangars as you can pick out what you like about each one and make a list but most importantly ask each tennant what they DON'T like about their place. I've found that its infinitely more beneficial to find out what not to do or who not to use (contractors) than the other way around. We repeated many of the same mistakes that others have made simply because our DO thought he "knew it all" and didn't speak with other owner/tennants before construction began.

PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[Headwind]

I did this and it was completed about a year ago. It was about a year long project. Lots of stress involved.
We got advice from others and used it to build what we wanted.
We put in the concrete forms and built the hangar, then poured the floor with a sloop of 1" per 10'. Also do the epoxy on the floor before using the hangar.
If you have questions you may PM me.

Headwind

 

[StaticWick]

Most of comments are right on...They just finished a 1.5 mil 30,000 sqft (?) hangar here at K***. The drain pipes are 3/4 higher than the floor. Drains are messed up and sewage usually comes up after a flush or two. They made the ramp like you'd see at an apartment complex with enough room to launch two planes and a temporary taxiway blocks the rest of the ramp. A three plane launch would require at least 1 hour pre-stage with the third plane at the FBO. The outlets for ground power are specially made so everone had to get $75 re-wiring for their Foxcarts. Other than that I wouldn't let a contractor who hadn't made a hangar before dig the dirt for the concrete. I believe most of the problems were builder specific because the carbon-copy hangar next door had the same problems only they made them do the re-work before accepting the hangar upon completion.

 

[bman]

Why not have the local FBO build the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** thing and lease it from them.

Seems to me that is the best plan. That way you have an experienced owner/operator/builder putting everything together. Less cash outlay and no need to liquidate if things turn sour.

The FBO gets property rights, long term contract that will all but pay for the Hanger, and a happier customer.

Regards,

Bman

 

[Flyboy Sabre 65]

Why not have the local FBO build the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** thing and lease it from them.

Seems to me that is the best plan. That way you have an experienced owner/operator/builder putting everything together. Less cash outlay and no need to liquidate if things turn sour.

The FBO gets property rights, long term contract that will all but pay for the Hanger, and a happier customer.

Regards,

Bman

What if the only FBO on the field is Signature. I wouldn't want to pay Signature any more money than I already have to!!!!

 

[LearLove]

Why not have the local FBO build the **CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED** thing and lease it from them.

Seems to me that is the best plan. That way you have an experienced owner/operator/builder putting everything together. Less cash outlay and no need to liquidate if things turn sour.

The FBO gets property rights, long term contract that will all but pay for the Hanger, and a happier customer.

Regards,

Bman

I guess that may be a good idea if the hangar is short term or expansion but if its the primary HQ and long term I'd think its better to own and have the assett and captial for your company. Just don't go overboard with some taj mahal like corp hangar, that says alot about how your people spend cash. Remember corp depts are no longer luxury things for biz, they are an essential tool.

Functional, cost effective but able to make an impresion on clients.

Good luck and keep us posted, maybe make an ongoing thread so thoes of us can learn if we ever need this down the road.