How Much Do Aircraft Hangars Cost to Rent?


Planning to own an airplane or a helicopter? Then one of the first things that may come to mind is where you are going to park it. If building your own hangar is too much of a financial burden then renting an airplane hangar is a great and popular option. However, this leads to another important question, how much will it cost to rent an airplane hangar? 

Aircraft hangar rental can be as little as $200 per month for a small Tee hangar and up to several thousand per month for a large hangar to store several private jets and helicopters. The cost to rent an airplane hangar is based on its size. The bigger the hangar, the more it costs.

Most aircraft owners consider the cost to rent an aircraft hangar as one of the most important parts. Aircraft are expensive and keeping them out of the weather not only helps keep the aircraft in better condition but helps prevent corrosion which can be a very costly issue to fix. Therefore, if you are searching for a place to store your aircraft, you have to consider various factors. 

For instance, airplanes and helicopters come in various shapes and sizes, and these two factors will determine the size of the hangar you will need to store the aircraft.  

Size Matters

So, you have bought an airplane, and now you are wondering how big the hangar will need to be. Airplane hangars can be difficult to find if you live out in a very rural area but most municipal airports and rural airstrips have hangers, the challenge is finding a vacant one that fits your aircraft.

If you are looking to purchase a small aircraft then finding a hangar should be relatively easy, it’s when you buy a larger aircraft like a King Air or Pilatus or anything used outside of General Aviation that might be a little tougher to find.

While airplane hangars vary in size, the most common ones have the following dimensions. 

  • Large Airplane Hangars – are around 60 feet wide and 120 feet long
  • Medium Airplane Hangars – are 40 feet wide and 80 feet long
  • Small Airplane Hangars – 20 feet wide and 40 feet long

The size of hangar you rent will totally depend on the type of plane you own. Here is a quick tip to determine the size necessary for the airplane hangar you need to rent.

  • You need to ensure it is tall enough to fit the tail of the airplane of the mast and the rotor head of the helicopter
  • You need to ensure it is wide enough to fit the wingspan of the airplane
  • You need to make sure it is deep enough to fit the aircraft prop to tail or blade tip to tail roto tip

Some aircraft can be parked at an angle in the hangar allowing for a slightly smaller hangar to work, but you need to have enough space around the sides of the aircraft to ensure no part of it touches.

‘Hanger Rash’ can lead to some high and unnecessary repair bills!

Also, be aware of any door-closing mechanism. Thinking the aircraft just fits, to then hear a crunch or grind as you close the door will instantly get your attention!

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The Cost to Rent an Airplane Hangar

On average, you can expect to spend between $50 and $400 per month when searching to rent an airplane hangar for a general aviation aircraft. The rent is based on the square footage your aircraft will occupy and discounts can be had for long-term rental agreements. Sharing can also work out cheaper.

Types of Hangars and Renting Costs

Here are four typical options for renting a hangar.

Tee Hangar

A Tee hangar is an enclosed structure designed to hold your aircraft in a protected space. This hanger space can accommodate planes of different shapes and sizes. The cost to hire a tee hangar may cost you $148 per month approximately. 

Great for a single aircraft and usually the cheapest type of hanger to rent.

Square Hangar

A square hangar with a space of 1,000 to 1,600 square feet with other amenities will cost you from $350 to $600 per month. 

This a great option if you have multiple aircraft or would like to store other items like vehicles, boats, or RVs alongside the aircraft.

Shared Hangar Space

Shared hangar spaces and tie-down rents may vary by the size of your plane. The square foot your plane occupies, the higher the rent. It will approximately cost you between $100 and $500. 

When a few of your flying buddies want to share to help keep costs down a shared hangar space is a great option, or by renting a small area for your aircraft in a larger hangar.

Municipal and Larger International Airports

The typical cost to rent an airplane hangar at municipal and large international airports varies from $460 to $600 per month, excluding taxes. The rent for hangar storage for corporate jets will cost between $1,500 and $3,000 per month, excluding taxes. 


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Pitfalls to Avoid when Renting a Hangar

While the aforementioned prices are just an approximation of the cost to rent an aircraft hangar, you must also be aware of certain pitfalls to avoid high rental costs:

Costs During Peak Seasons

If you are looking for just a seasonal hangar then be aware the costs will rise for the peak season, as will the scarcity. Pilots moving to warmer climates for the winter love to bring their aircraft

You must remember that the cost to rent an airplane hangar is slightly higher during peak season due to high demand. However, you can bargain for a discount if you plan to rent a hangar for an extended period. 

First Come, First Served

The hangars usually operate on a first-come, first-served rule. This means you may have spoken to the hangar owner to rent, but the airplane owner first to pay the rent gets the spot. Therefore, do not wait for too long if you are satisfied with the facility and rental cost. 

Do Your Research

Before committing to any rental agreement try and research the owner of the facility beforehand. Head over to the hangars on weekends and speak to the current residents. See if prices get adjusted, contracts are broken, who is liable for hangar costs due to damage etc.

Things to Consider Before Renting a Hangar

Remember the following factors as they can make a difference to your rental cost and aircraft maintenance:

Get an Airplane Insurance 

As an airplane owner, you must have comprehensive insurance. This will help you cover damage to the aircraft parked in the hangar. For example, if there is a fire accident in the hangar that causes damage to your aircraft, the insurance cost will cover it.  

Be sure to shop around as policies can vary. Talk to other aircraft owners at the hangar and see who they recommend.

Know the Sublet Rule

Many airplane hangars may allow you to sublet your spot to other airplane owners. This means you can let another friend or a third party pay you the rent for using your spot in the hangar when you are not using it. However, this entirely depends on the discretion of the hangar’s owner and the contract you sign.

For instance, if you rent a hangar at an airport, you must check and confirm the rules on subletting with airport management. If allowed, this can drastically bring down your rental expense as you can easily sublet your space to someone else for $50 to $100 approximately. 

Think of it like an Air B&B for aircraft owners. Out-of-town pilots who wish to spend a night or two could rent your hangar space, especially when it’s thunderstorm season!

Hangars are better than Tie Downs.

Typical Aircraft Tie-Downs – Source: Chris

Hangars are always a better option than tie-downs. Tie-downs are mostly open-air shared spaces leaving your aircraft prone to external elements such as bad weather conditions. On the other hand, hangars keep your plane tucked away safely indoors, protecting it from bad weather or other external damage. 

Tie-Downs are a good option if you are temporarily parking and help to keep the aircraft safe, especially if high winds are forecast. Most airports and airstrips will have an area to tie down your airplane, either with your own tie-down kit or areas provided by the airport.

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Rick James

I am an aviation nut! I'm an ATP-rated helicopter pilot & former flight instructor with over 3500 hours spanning 3 countries and many different flying jobs. I love aviation and everything about it. I use these articles to pass on cool facts and information to you whether you are a pilot or just love aviation too! If you want to know more about me, just click on my picture!

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