Delays, Mistakes All Part of Building a Dream Hangar

An aviation homestead becomes a sort of finishing school for a commercial pilot, acquiring some of the more practical skills missed out on whilst building a flying career.

Sam Weigel

Monday, August 07, 2023 at 02:35 PM ET

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Building the dream hangar starts with a frame. [Credit: Sam Weigel]

Key Takeaways:

The author's aviation homestead project, originally slated for completion by late 2022, is significantly delayed and now anticipated by mid-2023 due to various challenges.
Despite financial inefficiencies, the author is largely self-managing the project to gain practical skills, embracing delays and mistakes as part of a "finishing school."
The project has navigated numerous setbacks, including contractor issues and initial errors, but substantial progress has been made on the hangar's structure, slab, and utilities with crucial help from family members.
With the hangar's exterior nearing completion, the author maintains a positive outlook, focusing on the learning process and enjoying the journey of building their dream aviation home.

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The January sun is low in the sky as we bank over Puget Sound, casting long shadows and bathing the icebound Cascades in warm, golden light. As I roll out on a southerly heading, downtown Seattle appears ahead, framed by bustling Lake Union and the distant floating colossus of Mount Rainier. “My goodness, that’s beautiful,” murmurs my father from the right seat. My mother silently snaps photos of the dramatically-lit cityscape from the Stinson’s spacious backseat. I turn to skirt downtown, eyeing the sun’s inexorable progress toward the southwestern horizon.

“Sorry guys, time to get back,” I announce as I bank towards the Kitsap Peninsula. Hooky is over—time to get back to work. Our scenic tour was a pleasant and well-earned break.