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:

An unexpected bird infestation in an aircraft's engine compartment highlighted the often-overlooked importance of selecting a high-quality hangar.
The author now advocates for thorough vetting of potential hangars, advising owners to consider crucial factors such as bird control, weatherproofing, flood risk, door functionality during power outages, and reliable cell service.
A nicer hangar, despite a potentially higher cost, is considered a worthwhile investment to save time, effort, and mitigate problems associated with an inadequate facility.

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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.