Northwest Arkansas Hangar Shortage Starts at Drake Field

AR – You’re not alone if you’ve been trying to get hangar space at Drake Field Airport (KFYV) in northwest Arkansas. The field presently has 94 T-hangars, and every single one is spoken for. As a result, Drake Field has had to implement a waiting list. To date, that waiting list is 106 planes long. To cure the backlog, Drake Field would have to more than double its current hangar space.

Why Putting in More T-Hangars Is Harder Than It Sounds

With a waitlist more than double Drake Field’s capacity, you’d think they’d be rushing to build more hangar space. The truth is that they are working on it, but it’s a long-term solution. Instead, they’re trying to encourage building private hangars, which typically takes less time.

The T-hangars at Drake Field typically rent between $180 and $225 monthly. The director of Drake Field, Jared Rabren, estimates that the first building would cost at least 1 million dollars. Every building after that would cost about $600,000. The new hangars would each hold 10 to 12 small aircraft, and they estimate they have room for three more buildings. If they built them at an estimated cost of 2.4 million dollars, they’d expand their capacity by a maximum of 36 aircraft, not the 106 they currently need. At an estimated cost of $180 to $225 per aircraft per month, those buildings would generate between $6,480 and $8,100 per month. The problem is that building new hangars from the proposal to the completion date can take as long as three years. The bad news is that they don’t plan to expand general aviation at the airport for another three to five years.

Why Is Drake Field Airport so Popular?

Drake Field averages 73 aircraft operations daily, or roughly 27,000 operations a year. It’s considered a business and general aviation airport. Many businesses operate from the field, including Afterglow Aircraft Solutions, Jett Aircraft, Ross Executive Aviation, South Delta Aviation, and Wings Avionics Incorporated. The airport also contains the Arkansas Air and Military Museum.

Over the past few years, Fayetteville, AK, has seen exceptional growth, with more people and business professionals moving into the area, aviation enthusiasts, and their airplanes. The area has a low cost of living and easy access to Bentonville and Rogers. It’s also in the Ozark mountains, so pilots can enjoy flying the backcountry.

Where Can Pilots Find Hangars?

Finding hangars in Northwest Arkansas can be challenging. Your first step might be contacting the airport authority to get on their waiting list. Next, you should check out some of the other airports in the area to see if they have hangars for rent.

• Louise-Thaden Field (KVBT) – This airport only has eight hangars that can house at least 19 aircraft.
• Springdale Municipal Airport (KASG) – Projects are underway to build more hangars, including a large corporate hangar and several private hangars.
• Huntsville Airport (H34) – H34 offers hangars for rent.
• Rogers Executive Airport – Carter Field (KROG) – This airport has 311,000 feet of hangar space available.
• Smith Field Airport (KSLG) – The airport offers hangars for rent. However, they currently have a 31-person waitlist.
• Hot Springs Memorial Field (HOT) – HOT offers hangars for rent.

While hangar space in northwest Arkansas is in short supply, it is possible if you expand your search to include more cities and contact airports farther east and south. In our list, Hot Springs is the farthest airport away from Drake Field, but Hot Springs also offers a lot of outdoor activities and entertainment that make it an attractive option for people looking to hangar their aircraft in the state.

Stay tuned to Aviation Property Network, for future hangar listings in Northwest Arkansas.