AOPA SURVEY DETAILS RISING HANGAR DEMAND

National demand for hangar space is being met by a lack of supply that has left aircraft owners on lengthy waiting lists. An airport support network survey conducted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) indicated 71 percent of airports currently have a waiting list and the delay for 72 percent of aircraft owners lasted between six months to over two years. Funding challenges, available grant money, and fears surrounding the ability to secure a return on investment for development costs with established lease fees have further propelled hangar demand to outweigh supply.

A respondent of the survey indicated difficulty encountered with hangar waiting lists in California and Oregon. In California, an attempt to secure hangar space at the San Luis County Regional Airport left the aircraft owner faced with a multi-year waiting list. The owner then discovered a repeat scenario at Ken Jernstedt Airfield in Hood River, Oregon where they waited more than three years before being able to claim hangar space. Other survey results echoed similar instances occurring nationally and the AOPA said the association will work with state aviation directors to work toward solutions for improving hangar supply.