BLACKBIRD PARTNERS: The Entrepreneurial Spirt in Full Swing
Innovative Game-Changing Aircraft Hangar Development That is Truly “Next-Level”
An Insufficient Number of Aircraft Hangars
As of mid‑2025, the United States continues to grapple with what is clearly a pronounced shortage of general aviation (GA) and business jet hangar space. Somewhere on the order of 71% of public-use airports report an insufficient number of aircraft hangars, and more than half have land available, but lack adequate funding necessary to build additional structures as is described in this recent AOPA article.
Excessively Long Waiting Lists
Waiting lists for T‑hangars at busy airports typically have a time horizon of several years, while larger airports have witnessed wait lists that easily stretch out 5–10 years and beyond. Indeed, between 2004 and 2024, the North American business jet fleet doubled from approximately 7,000 to over 15,000 aircraft, with thousands more anticipated heading into the early 2030s. Developers report that hangar rental rates have risen 20–40% in key markets over the past decade alone.
Ongoing Tariff Actions
Further, the airplane hangar construction market was valued at nearly $1.7 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $8.3 billion or more by 2030 (≈ 4% CAGR). Ongoing tariff actions first introduced in early 2025 remain dynamic and have further pushed material costs higher, (principally, steel and aluminum), delaying new structure construction projects and making smaller T‑hangars economically challenging.
An Upward Trajectory
Aging fleets along with increased airframe deliveries will only serve to intensify competition for quality hangar space both at home and abroad. In the absence of regulatory reform, streamlined permitting, and new funding mechanisms emerging, overall hangar availability is expected to remain tight, while rental rates will continue an upward trajectory. Simply put, aircraft owners and corporate flight departments are competing in tight markets with rising costs while shortages are forecast to persist through the current decade.
Changing The Rules of The Game
Enter BLACKBIRD PARTNERS, a new and highly innovative participant within the aircraft hangar development world boasting a unique plan for addressing the shortages just described. Two agile and forward-looking entrepreneurs, Carson Fox and Ryan Bedford are determined to change the rules of the game when it comes to aircraft hangar development. Co-founder / CEO Carson along with co-founder Ryan, are effectively disrupting the hangar development space with a totally new approach to how and why these critical structures are designed, built, deployed and marketed.
Innovative Aircraft Hangars
Both men bring to the table decades of experience in brokering jet aircraft, as well as in residential and commercial real estate. They are smartly leveraging prior experiences to create a brand that will be synonymous with the best and most innovative aircraft hangars for sale in the world. APN recently had the pleasure to sit with Carson and Ryan so we could learn more about BLACKBIRD PARTNERS and what sets this company apart from the crowd.
Higher Levels of Success
Carson is quoted as saying, “we are redefining hangar appearance and function. Something completely different than anything else currently out there. We are effectively changing the space and giving it a facelift or upgrade, if you will.” He went on to comment that “we painstakingly choose the most ideal locations for our projects, ensuring higher levels of success with each project we target.”
Leverage Private Funding
The company relies on private funding and offers buyers in the aviation space an opportunity to own as opposed to renting a hangar structure for housing high-value aircraft. BLACKBIRD leverages private funding but intentionally does not rely on private equity. “We do this, so we have the most control, ensuring that we are building a brand we are proud to own, ultimately allowing us to construct the best hangars out there rather than having downward pressure from shareholders in search of a quick return on capital,” according to Carson.
Stunningly Attractive and Highly Functional Spaces
Ryan, with years of hands-on experience in a wide range of real estate transactions said that “our primary goal is to deliver on the promise of producing world-class architecturally pleasing structures that are impressive both on the inside and outside.” The company is clearly dedicated to transforming ordinary and tired worn-out old hangar concepts and designs into stunningly attractive and highly functional spaces more reflective of a luxury lifestyle. Elegant airplane spaces are the goal according to the two busy entrepreneurs.
Attention To Detail
The company is based in friendly Greenville, SC, with hangar projects to date located in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The co-founders are serving an elite clientele that understands the value of pride in ownership. Again, the big difference we observed during our chat was the idea of taking an ordinary hangar intended to shelter aircraft and give it a complete makeover, where elegance, attention to detail and the luxury lifestyle rule the day. All this with the benefit of being an actual property owner as compared to simply renting a hangar space for what is often a high-end multi-million-dollar jet aircraft.
These Structures Are Highly Customizable
Carson and Ryan pointed out some key differences in the hangars that they develop for select clients. For example, clients can own through a long-term ground lease one of these rugged, solid concrete-built hangars as opposed to simply renting. In addition, the structures are semi-customizable where BLACKBIRD provides the layout, and the client then picks the finishes to make it theirs. They decide if they want to gear it more towards business, family, or a mixture of both. based upon individual client needs. Most of the project site locations are at regional airports while others can even include international airports.
Value-Added Strategy
BLACKBIRD frequently aligns with FBOs or Fixed-Base-Operators that offer a wide range of support services to pilots and corporate jet operators. This is a value-added strategy that creates a symbiotic relationship between hangar owners, hangar developers and FBO service providers. In essence, everyone benefits. Most facilities have US customs services for international operations, creating far more convenience for clients. BLACKBIRD formulates service agreements with well-run FBO’s, ensuring that hangar owners and tenants receive fast fueling and ground handling, discounted fuel rates and full aircraft handling, freeing up flight crews and staff from these tasks.
Sold Concrete Construction
Carson said that “our architecturally pleasing designs that offer the extreme protection of thick, heavy and sold concrete construction end up changing the mind-set of what a hangar should be.” The company is finishing the completion phase of one project at UES in Waukesha consisting of seven hangars that are all sold. They are now looking for the next two airports they are going to develop in the US. Ryan mentioned that “we are taking a steady and cautiously aggressive approach to growing our brand and our presence throughout the region, while we do eventually aim to target broader markets in the coming years.”
Exclusive Radiant-Floor Heating
Disrupting the aircraft hangar space was probably long overdue and with ongoing shortages across the country for reliable hangar options, the timing of BLACKBIRD could perhaps not be better. The company prides itself on developing highly sustainable hangars that feature, depending on the structure, up to 28-foot (Ultra-long-haul jet capable) hangar doors. In addition, hangar floors can be configured with exclusive radiant-floor heating. Some customizations even include “green roofs” complete with grass and plants. This not only looks great, but it saves energy by keeping interior spaces cooler.
Secure And Safe Vehicle Parking
When it comes to security, these hangars have unique wide roof overhangs that serve to create a more pleasing lighting ambiance at night. This kind of lighting also improves security, where hangar owners are assured secure and safe vehicle parking. For added security, exterior to interior garage access allows owners to drive their car from the parking lot straight into the hangar. The company also offers a limited number of hangar units for rent for a more traditional hangar experience. This serves dual purposes; in that it allows BLACKBIRD to maintain a more up-close and personal presence with FBOs and airports, as well as owners and renters.
SR-71 BLACKBIRD
The company is committed to excellence in customer service and places at the center of its corporate mission the idea that there has never really been a consistent way to outright own a hangar in the past. BLACKBIRD PARTNERS is changing that paradigm. The 85,000-foot view that is afforded by the SR-71 Blackbird along with its extraordinary speed fits the company image and its founders perfectly. In short, it’s a new kind of bold and disruptive, fast-moving hangar development operation that blends an ultra-wide-angle lens with a keen eye that is carefully honed on the future of aircraft hangar development.
“The aircraft hangar was light and airy within; with the doors wide open and toolbox at hand, it was my place of sanctuary and quiet contemplation.”
Quote by Angela Abraham, @daisydescriptionari, December 22, 2020
About BLACKBIRD PARTNERS
BLACKBIRD PARTNERS is a new-to-market company that specializes in developing lifestyle focused customizable high-quality aircraft hangars. The hangars that the company designs and deploys are built of premium-grade reinforced concrete, ensuring maximum security and protection for high-value aviation assets. BLACKBIRD offers a unique approach to securing hangar space, in that the structures are owned rather than leased.
Specialized hangars, sometimes referred to as “The nest at UES,” for example, are focused on luxury lifestyle support and enhancement. Each “nest” is sold outright on a long-term ground lease. Capable of accommodating light- to ultra-long-range corporate jets, these structures are aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional. Customization of the space can include everything from a full kitchen to luxurious bathrooms, offices, etc. Some clients outfit the spaces with executive board rooms, golf simulators, pickle ball courts, etc. Popular at high-traffic, high-density airports, these aircraft hangars are lifestyle and convenience focused.
Hangar specifications include an interior space from 3,600 to 4,000 sq ft, with actual hangar space coming in at a robust 5,700 to 17,800 sq ft. A door height of up to 28 ft is designed to accommodate the largest of the business class jets such as the G700, Global 8000 and even the Falcon 10X which is set to be released in 2028. Premium HVAC systems as well as radiant floor heating ensure maximum comfort year-round. Carson Fox, co-founder / CEO, along with co-founder and industry veteran Ryan Bedford are the synergistic team behind the company’s win-win strategy and successes.
