From commercial airlines and government agencies to privately-owned flight enthusiasts, many have opted to use a temporary hangar as a simple way to properly care for, store, and maintain aircrafts, helicopters, and related equipment.
Using a temporary hangar is a cost-effective way to protect your investment and extend both its exterior appearance and functionality.
Temporary airplane hangars are becoming a more common site at airports, aircraft construction facilities, military bases, and other aviation facilities.
From our article, How Temporary Airplane Hangars Can Solve Space and Construction Problems. Click here to read the complete article.
However, the use of a temporary hangar is hardly reserved for traditional aircrafts. This seems especially true in light of recent decisions made by government agencies in California and North Dakota to implement the use of a temporary hangar for a new, cutting-edge project.
One of the major defense contractors here in the U.S. is in the process of opening an unmanned aircraft training academy located in North Dakota.
A Temporary Hangar Turned Experimental Training Ground
In this particular case, the temporary hangar was used as a barrier to protect assets from the elements. They also offer an excellent source of privacy, and can be used for impromptu projects of all kinds.
Defense Contractors needing to Quickly Implement a new Training Project
As demand for crew and pilots has continued to increase, drone pilot training has been on the rise as a fast, effective way to provide manpower (or machine power, as the case may be) to the rising industry.
Because the project needs to be scaled quickly, and may grow or relocate in the near future, temporary hangars provide a perfect solution.
Launched by a California-based company that manufactures Predator and Reaper drones, the temporary hangar they will be using for this new project is estimated to be nearly 19,000 square feet. The temporary hangar will house over 100 students in training to control unmanned drones this year.
Why was a temporary hangar selected?
A temporary hangar is ideal for new projects such as these, as it provides much-needed flexibility and scalability. It’s also enabled the project to be implemented quickly and without a lot of the complication and expense that goes into permanent structures, which might need to be further expanded in the future.
If the test program does not have lift-off or the project is relocated, a temporary hangar can be used for many other government functions, from storage to shelter to other forms of training. In that sense, the probability of a financial loss is very low.
The 174th Attack Wing has been using temporary hangar space allocated from the 10th Mountain Division’s 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.
Source: Governor.NY.gov
What type of temporary hangar is right for this project?
Finding the right temporary hangar for each project is essential, as many may be limited in size, scope, and durability.
While many considerations go into choosing the right temporary hangar for each project, there are a few key indicators that would be helpful for a project of this size and scope.
Generally speaking, military projects that require a temporary hangar call for the following:
- An extensive, custom-sized structure – often housing a large amount of equipment as well as offering a training space.
- Interior height – ideal for large aircrafts or other non-traditional functions.
- Exceptionally strong materials to resist even extreme climates with wind and snow – environment should be a non-issue.
- Versatility of relocations – rapid erect technology is desirable.
- Field maintainable – even if this isn’t strictly necessary in the North Dakota training facility, the military is more likely to invest in temporary hangars that can be used again and again.
What other ways could a temporary hangar be used in a military setting?
There are many uses, some of which we may not be aware. A few examples include:
- Aircraft hangars
- Helicopter hangars
- Temporary airport terminals
- Aircraft repair facilities
- Aviation warehouse
- Equipment storage
- Aircraft maintenance
- Training facilities
- Warehouse – other storage
- Air cargo storage
Have you heard of other interesting uses for temporary hangars? We’re all ears – let us know in the comments below.
For more information about temporary hangars, please contact us. We have plenty of experience behind us.
