Aviation Hangar Construction: Aircraft Hangars for General Aviation, Commercial, and Military

Aviation hangar construction provides aircraft storage, maintenance, and operations facilities. Substantial clear spans (no columns) accommodating aircraft, large doors enabling aircraft entry, specialty mechanical for aircraft fueling and operations, and FAA coordination distinguish from typical industrial buildings. Different scales for general aviation (small aircraft), commercial aviation (substantial commercial aircraft), and military (varies by mission). Substantial market opportunity. Understanding hangar construction helps GCs serve aviation specialty.

This post covers aviation hangar construction.

Hangar Types

Multiple hangar types:

Multiple hangar types serve different aviation needs. T-hangars for small general aviation — individual aircraft bays in T-shaped configuration. Box hangars for general aviation, multiple aircraft. Corporate hangars for private/business aircraft (substantial — substantial corporate jets). MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) hangars for substantial aircraft maintenance — commercial airlines outsource MRO. Commercial maintenance hangars for airline operations. Military hangars varying mission. Specific to aircraft and use.

Clear Spans

Clear spans substantial:

Clear spans substantial in hangars. 200-400+ feet typical commercial hangars accommodating substantial commercial aircraft (777, A380). 100-200 feet general aviation accommodating single substantial aircraft. Substantial structural design supporting clear spans. Truss systems typical for substantial spans — substantial trusses 60+ feet deep. Specific to aircraft size determining required dimensions. Substantial steel typical — long spans economical in steel. Engineering substantial.

Hangar Doors

Hangar doors specialty:

Hangar doors specialty substantial component. Sliding doors with multiple panels common general aviation. Bifold doors fold up substantial size. Vertical lift doors for substantial commercial. Substantial size 100+ feet wide, 30-50+ feet tall (taller for substantial aircraft). Specialty manufacturers including Schweiss, Wilson, others. Specific to aircraft requirements. Substantial cost component — hangar doors substantial portion of building cost.

FAA Coordination

FAA coordination required:

FAA coordination required for hangar construction. Form 7460-1 obstruction notification required for substantial structures near airports. Airspace restrictions during construction. Lighting and marking of substantial structures per FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations). Apron and taxiway coordination for hangar access. Specific permits including airport authority. Substantial coordination throughout.

Mechanical and Electrical

MEP specific to aviation:

MEP specific to aviation operations. Substantial heating given substantial volume — heating substantial commercial hangars expensive. Specific ventilation for fuel vapors during fueling/defueling. Aircraft ground power (400 Hz typical) for parked aircraft. Aircraft fueling systems for fueled hangars. Compressed air for tools and aircraft systems. Specific lighting including substantial illumination, anti-glare. Specific to aircraft requirements.

Floors

Floors substantial:

Floors substantial in hangars. Concrete with substantial loads supporting aircraft and equipment. Specific aircraft loads varying by type — commercial substantial. Trench drains for fuel spills — fuel drainage required. Specific finishes durable for aircraft tug, jacking. Anti-static sometimes for specific operations (avionics work). Specific to aircraft requirements.

Bottom Line

Aviation hangar construction provides aircraft storage, maintenance, operations facilities. Multiple hangar types from T-hangars to commercial MRO. Clear spans substantial. Hangar doors specialty substantial component. FAA coordination required. MEP specific to aviation. Floors substantial concrete with specific drainage. For GCs pursuing aviation work, hangar construction substantial specialty market. Substantial private aviation, commercial aviation, military markets. Quality construction supports operations for decades.