Going to the Birds, And How Not To

Here's a list of what to look for and what questions to ask when shopping around for a hangar.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at 10:48 AM ET

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Hangars can have hidden pitfalls that might not become evident for months or even years. Here, a strip of aluminum surrounds the tailwheel to help prevent rodents from entering the airframe. [Courtesy: Jason McDowell]

Key Takeaways:

The author experienced significant frustration and a cancelled flight due to a severe bird nesting issue in their airplane engine, highlighting the unexpected problems of an inadequate hangar.
This incident led to the realization that thorough investigation is crucial when selecting a hangar, concluding that a "nicer hangar is most likely worth the extra investment."
Key considerations for choosing a hangar include pest control, weatherproofing against leaks and snow, power outage provisions for electric doors, and reliable cell service for remote monitoring and security.

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It’s not every day I long to take multiple lives with my bare hands. Or fantasize about setting up lethal booby traps that employ electrical current to deliver swift death to my enemies.

But the other day, when I opened up my engine cowl during a preflight inspection and discovered several pounds of grass, twigs, and debris packed tightly into every nook and cranny of my engine compartment, the local starling population was fortunate they were out of my reach.