Hangar tour

Supereri

Supereri

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Apr 5, 2022
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Supereri
I've been on the hangar list at DVT for a little over 3 years. I'm very near the top of the list and expect to get the call in the next month or so. I have a 182 and looking for some suggestions on what to have in the hangar.

Let's see your hangar photos and hear your suggestions!!

Thanks
 
Start with the basics and then add as you figure out what you want/need. Some of the obvious things are:
- Shelving
- Brooms, garbage can, etc.
- Cleaning products for the plane
- Basic tools (if you're a mechanic you already have what you need, if not, don't go buying everything in site if you can't do the work)
- Depending how flat the roll-in is to your hangar, you may need a power tug of some sort

Then add as you see what you need or what.
 
I bought a cheap rolling tool chest with a wooden workbench top. I do wish it had more surface area, but it's nice to have a place to set things down.

I have an old metal cabinet that houses oil, filters, logbooks, small parts. It has become one of my most prized possessions as I buy stickers for it on most of our trips and it has become a record book of where my plane has been.

An old recliner is nice for flight planning and admiring your plane.

A couple metal garbage cans with lids are mouse-proof storage for the fuselage cover and cowl blanket when not in use.

A Switcheon box controls the engine heater and a cabin space heater remotely from home in the winter.

A wire kitchen type shelf provides easily accessible storage for cleaning products, tires and whatnot.

I big garbage can. I'm partial to the Rubbermaid "brute" with the rolling base. Expensive, but worth it.

A scale. A postage scale with a remote readout works best so you can weigh big things like large bags, engine blocks, and passengers you don't trust.

I have a scoop shovel for snow and a scraper for ice. I do have a broom, but I'm too lazy to use it much. I usually just bring my leafblower up a few times a year.

Don't forget the mouse traps.
 
Everyone covered the basics. Don’t forget a table or work top of some kind. Old stereo or Bluetooth speakers. Chairs for you or pax. Fridge for beverages. Fan for hot days. You will be amazed how quickly things will accumulate
 
Supereri said:
I've been on the hangar list at DVT for a little over 3 years. I'm very near the top of the list and expect to get the call in the next month or so. I have a 182 and looking for some suggestions on what to have in the hangar.

Let's see your hangar photos and hear your suggestions!!

Thanks
Click to expand...
happy to hear that, good luck to you.
I have been in my rented T for 7 years now.
I have accumulated a lot of stuff in my hangar.
I have 4 aluminum top 6' tables.
They hold fridges, microwave, coffee maker, supplies, tools etc.
I have a complete set of tools to service/repair my 172. Only have tools for the plane, I don’t work on other stuff so I only have tools for the plane. My buddies AP/IA uses some of my tools for his annual inspection next door. We have keys to each others hangars.
I have a 74 dodge challenger in there, a 4 post lift in the back turned side ways that is used for storage. I can move the plane out and turn it 90 it's on wheels} and use it but I don't very often.
Then have a heated corner with a rug, couple chairs and a coffee table for reading service manuals and magazines and drinking beer.
Love my hangar, it is a extension of our home. My wife likes me more, the more time I spend at the hangar. lol
I had this lift at another shop and it didn't fit that shop so I set it up here mostly so I could store it here. I borrowed the crane from my work which made it a one man job.
72558f0b-4912-4c5a-93e3-3369e11bf7da.jpg

I have a bookcase that is for training and service manuals.
0789d642-8a32-4761-af12-2cb6e2d31d58.heic

I haven't taken a recent picture of my hangar to show's it's most recent condition. It is always changing, mostly more stuff!!
This picture right after annual before I put my tools away.
3dace575-d0aa-4aaa-8f1f-19b1a01a01fa.heic
 
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In my CJR hangar I had a toolbox, a small air compressor, a fridge, a small table and chairs.

In my current hangar, I have several storage cabinets, shelving, two rolling work benches, two rolling toolboxes, a parts rack. several folding tables, about 50 folding chairs, a sofa, a four-post lift, an air compressor, a sink, some scaffolding, 5 ellipsoidal projectors and their dimming system, a video projector, and a hydraulic man lift.
 
I didn’t see it mentioned above but a good rolling stool and a creeper will help when cleaning/inspecting the belly of the plane. I found one that converts from a creeper to a rolling stool that was purchased at Northern Tool in a pinch. I think I paid under $80 and it is outperforming my expectations.
 
A scanner or radio for monitoring CTAF and AWOS is handy. I have mine plugged into a set of speakers, and I can also plug in my phone to listen to music or podcasts. Have to have them near the hangar door to get a decent signal.

I have a small cork bulletin board; useful for things like the plane's squawk list, a list of upcoming ADs and maintenance actions, phone numbers, and other notes.

Not shown, but I also keep an old laptop in a cabinet drawer in the hangar. Great for digital access to the plane's maintenance manual, IPC, etc., and for googling info, ordering parts, accessing POA, whatever.


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I believe some airports including mine are clamping down on what can be stored in a hanger. No boats no vehicles no non aviation storage. My airport receives government funding both federal and state. This funding is for aviation use and not for general use outside of those. All airport leases must be aviation related.
 
bonefishpete said:
I believe some airports including mine are clamping down on what can be stored in a hanger. No boats no vehicles no non aviation storage. My airport receives government funding both federal and state. This funding is for aviation use and not for general use outside of those. All airport leases must be aviation related.
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My challenger is a airplane tug.
 
bonefishpete said:
In the old days almost anything goes on the airport. Growth and 9-11 put an end to it.
I miss my old airport.
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I bet it was a different world at airports before 9-11. Sad.
I have only been at our airport since 2018. Lot's have changed since then all for the good. but now much bigger changes are coming at our airport soon.
They are going to move a whole hangar row in one piece right next to/in front our hangar row. Blocking any kind of the view of the ramp and runway.
Plus new runway lights are to be installed this fall. Plenty of mud, dust and equipment on site with some runway closures expected. I don't think I will be hanging at the airport as much this winter.
 
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My hangar is a 3300 sqft garage on the house, so all my home tools are in it. Warehouse racking on two walls for storage, one side with a 24’ work bench. The third wall has file cabinets, three freezers, a prepper area for wifey, and my favorite feature, a comfy seating area with a small drink fridge. It used to have a kegerator but I quit drinking.

Pro tip- go to Northern Tool or Harbor Freight and buy a couple of rolling tool carts. You’ll never be sorry.

IMG_0293.jpeg
IMG_3017.jpeg
 
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Gary Ward said:
They are going to move a whole hangar in one piece right next to/in front our hangar row. Blocking any kind of the view of the ramp and runway.
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I suppose it’s not going to be T hangars facing ramp/rwy that you can rent and move?
 
455 Bravo Uniform said:
I suppose it’s not going to be T hangars facing ramp/rwy that you can rent and move?
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I/we talked about that, it would be great if all four of us in a row could move to keep it like it is now.
But then we are closer to the ramp which means more dust and noise.IMG_5872.jpeg I am sure current renters get to keep their hangar after it is moved. Big PIA for them until it is finished. That hangar on the right is getting moved into the field between hangar rows. I’m sure it’s been the plan all along for the field.
 
Air compressor. Don't get a dinky one. It's not that much more for a 20-30 gallon compressor to keep up with continuous use. First tool to get is an engine washer.

Step stools are a must for high wing. These Ace Hardware stools are simple, strong, and durable. I keep one on each side of the plane for cleaning the windshield and sticking the tanks.

Screenshot_20250921-121530.png
 
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Stewartb said:
Pro tip- go to Northern Tool or Harbor Freight and buy a couple of rolling tool carts. You’ll never be sorry.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:
I use mine all the time. Very handy to have a place to set tools and parts while you're working on something.

While you're at Harbor Freight, pick up a couple of packs of these:

They work great for attaching things to your hangar's steel walls. They're very strong and you'll be surprised by how heavy a load they can hold.


Ed Haywood said:
Air compressor. Don't get a dinky one. It's not that much more for a 20-30 gallon compressor to keep up with continuous use. First tool to get is an engine washer.
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You won't regret having more capacity, but I find I get along well with a small pancake compressor. Mine is an older version of this one:

CRAFTSMAN 6 gal Pancake Portable Air Compressor 150 psi 0.8 HP Mfr# CMXECXA02106410 - Ace Hardware

The Craftsman 150 PSI. The oil-Free Pancake Compressor is ideal to support multiple trim finishing nailers, small framing/roofing jobs, and all general inflation, blowing, and smaller SCFM air tools. It features two regulated, factory-installed air couplers to easily support two users. The...
www.acehardware.com www.acehardware.com

Works fine for filling tires or doing cylinder compression checks. I would want more capacity, as Ed suggests, if I were trying to do fabrication.


Ed Haywood said:
Multiple step stools are a must for high wing.
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And also for us vertically impaired low wing pilots! :) I can't reach the top of my engine without a step stool. It'd be nigh impossible for me to R&R the oil filter or top sparkplugs without one.

I keep one of these in the hangar,
1758473181795.png
www.walmart.com

COSCO 2-Step Connection Folding Step Stool with Large Resin Steps, Max Reach 8ft 1in - Walmart.com

Buy COSCO 2-Step Connection Folding Step Stool with Large Resin Steps, Max Reach 8ft 1in at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com

and I keep one of these in the plane.
1758473225712.png
 
I use a floor fan just about year round. It blows across the floor during the summer and I point it straight up during the winter to flow the heat down from the ceiling.
2 of them in this picture, low and high volume. I am experimenting with the little one for use during the winter. Need the big one for the hot weather. IMG_5875.jpeg
 
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Gary Ward said:
The Doberman should be more than adequate!
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Actually, he's too energetic for me to take him to the hangar. If I didn't keep him tied, he'd run off to chase something and get himself hurt. Sweet dog but very high energy with way too much prey drive.
 
Half Fast said:
I would want more capacity, as Ed suggests, if I were trying to do fabrication.
Click to expand...

I find the added capacity useful for engine cleaning. I wash down everything FWF with mineral spirits when I change the oil. Surprising how fussy you can get with a new engine.
 
Half Fast said:
Actually, he's too energetic for me to take him to the hangar. If I didn't keep him tied, he'd run off to chase something and get himself hurt. Sweet dog but very high energy with way too much prey drive.
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Ah sorry to hear that.
Cruiser has been going to the airport since 2018. He has free run back in the corner of the airport property that is fenced in. He has become friends with the neighbors dogs on the other side of the 6’fence. He makes his rounds and then comes back to the hangar. He even knows which one in the winter when all doors are closed. I put him on a leash after he makes his rounds. Hes 14 years old, going deaf and blind but still is full of life and energy. Eating well also. I attribute it to a low stress life.
 
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Ed Haywood said:
Bring him to FD77 to chase cows with my Aussie.

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He’d love to chase cows, but I’d be afraid he might catch one.

Occasionally one of the neighbor’s chickens crosses the fence onto our place. They don’t last very long.
 
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