Southern Florida Hangar

[alim]

hi.

So decision is being made. Will be headed to Florida again this winter after baby is born (mid / late December)


This has been my snowbird transient experience so far :


2000-2003 winters : Always flew down every 2-3 weeks. Never left plane in FL. Upside: No tie-down issues. Downside : Back to NY winter every trip back.
2004 - 2005 : Flew down & based in San Juan , Puerto Rico for 12 months. TJIG. Tied-down. Not too bad but got the plane washed every 2 weeks.
2006-2016 : Flew to Miami and based outside (tied down) at Opa Locka - KOPF. Not too bad. Got plane washed very 3-4 weeks.
2017 : FBO at Opa Locka now signature. Went to shared hangar at North Perry KHWO. Had a shared hangar (rash) incident. Wasn't too keen on it


2018 : Hangar hunting in South Florida for 3 months (Jan-March). Else would end up tied down somewhere.
I think it was safer to be outside than constantly being towed in and out in shared hangar.

Thoughts / suggestions ? Anywhere from West Palm down to Miami is fine ...

 

[janderson]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Ali; how about Pompano Beach?

Judi

 

[alim]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

that will work well for me.
Not too far. An hour from Miami is reasonable.

Any contacts there Judi or should I just shake the tree using airnav FBO listings ?

 

[janderson]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Get w/Bill Helsabeck we just sold his 112 hot shot he has empty hangar there ..not sure if there's a waiting list but maybe he can help. I'll text him to check in with you.

Judi

 

[alim]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

thank you Judi. That will work.

I didn't want to be far enough north to fall under the weekly TFRs expected in the winters either

 

[bbh]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Just call Sheltair and ask what’s available. They are the FBO in Pompano and lots of other places. 954-491-2041. Barbara Williams. They are not cheap. Nothing in south Florida is. I was paying $710 a month.

 

[alim]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Yeah- but beats a quote of >$500 per month for a tie-down at Opa Locka.
For 3 months, I'll eat it.

 

[alim]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Thanks for the referral. I 'll call Sheltair go from there. thx

 

[Jamesdub]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Typical for the General Aviation ownership, I guess, is the distaste for those 'fixed' costs. (Hangar, Ins, Taxes)
A necessary evil and I fair far better than most down here in rural Alabama but looking at my books - $13,200 has been spent on hangar 'RENTAL' over the last seven years of ownership.

What are the thoughts about purchasing your own hangar, normally with some type of conditional clause/lease that it will eventually become property of the airport at some future date? Just seems like a potential investment not being capitalized on.

But hey, when that nasty thunderboomer is doing its thing above the airport, I'm most happy to drop $200 per month to keep her safe and dry.

 

[alim]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

My annualized numbers for fixed costs

- hangar $5500


17 yrs of ownership (excluding snowbird transient overhead) and hangar v tied-down :

2000-2010 : tied-down:KCDW $3000 x 10 yrs ( $250 per month)= $30K
2011-2012 : hangar:KCDW: $8400 x 2 yrs : ($700 per month) ~ $16K
2012-2017 : hangar:KABE: $5500 x 5 yrs : (462 per month) ~ $28K
2018-2020 : hangar:KABE: $5500 x 3 yrs =(462 per month) ~ $16K

so :
10 yrs tied-down : $30K
10 yrs hangared : $60K

Lets factor in wear and tear :

Tie-down : I did have to get another paint job after the first 10 yrs outside : $15K
Hangar : I am just due minor touch-up after 7 yrs. Maybe ~$2K to touch her up here and there.

and that doesn't count the interior beating, or potential avionics and other misc breakages due to exposure.

so its really :
Tie-down : $45K (+ unknown) vs $ hangar $60K over a 10 year period.


Given this data, I'd hangar all day long even if it appears expensive.
I would build my own given the option.

How long of a lease , John ?
I would say who cares if the airport owns the land. So long as you own the leased lot it will pay for itself.
And depending on location, you could sell that capital expense over - w/ without that much depreciation ( I don't know how much a hangar building would depreciate if maintained).

If you don't intend to move, this would be an attractive option.

Hence I've thought "airpark" as another potential way. House + hangar. I think Ken has the right idea ..

 

[rringgold]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

It looks as though I won’t be retiring to Florida any time soon with hangar rent at those levels. Any members in Arizona kindly chime in and tell us that hangar rents are way cheaper please��!

 

[Commander91gm]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Yes Some of the airports have city owned hangars that rent for 150 - 200 a month.
Might be a waiting list depending on where you want to be. Privately owned hangars can be found in he 200-400 range depending on size and amenities.

 

[Pete]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

DVT, Deer Valley airport, city of Phoenix owned, T Hangar, $207 a month with electricity. Goes up 3% a yr. About 3-4 month waiting list. Located in north Phoenix been with since 1983.

 

[rringgold]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Thanks for the update. Those prices are much easier to deal with than Florida’s.

 

[Sherman]

Re: Southern Florida Hangar

Rolf, with you on Hanger fees, and am Retired, trying not to be 'Tired'. For decades flew to Florida during Winter school breaks, visit Aunts/Uncles & cousins who relocated when retired (from NE) far back as 1960s. Week of Tiedown overnights, even Daytona/ Boca/Lantana/St Petersburg were $10-15 night. Of course Cousins/friends provided Ground Transportation. Past few years, going for a month or two, Extended Tiedown Fees + Car Rentals just not feasible. And with Fixed Timeshare commitments weather enroute has been Storm or IFR in our 'get there window'. Next year may have another option to get plane there with feasible fees.

Decade ago also thought Arizona for Snowbird option. Thought maybe move Boat to Marina, relocate one of the (Dependable) '60's cars, fly out for few months. Even looked at some homes. Then came the 2008 Crash.

Anyway, moved plane to HWY out of (now) pre SFRA Baltimore /Washington 30 mi radius nightmare after being grounded almost a year at MTN. Bush killed 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant at CGS, our weekly Sunday night Diner, pre return to workweek Enjoyment after Weekend flying. Was paying $190 mo at Maryland State Airport MTN, modern T hanger. No taxes, no fees. HWY county hanger (WW2 era) $264 mo, electricit no heat, wood frame correlated metal, sliding doors, drafty + two $136.50 maintain fees + $30 Taxes. So much for Virginia rebellion/Brits about Taxes.

John, New hangers rent $600 mo. Looked into Buying several times. Just not feasible for me. Mortgages/ Leases based on when hanger was built, so if you buy, say 22 years left on lease, vs 30 years when brand new, costs higher than when new & higher than renting. Monthly Mortgage + County Maintenance Fees & Taxes, so @$850 month.

Agree with Moazzam on Hanger vs Tieddown and 'other considerations'. N112HT painted 1992, I keep it clean & Spray Wash/Waxed before every flight, M equips Cleaner wax 4 times a year. . Do get pollen dust even in hanger, but protected from severe weather. People still ask me how old paint job is, and know it's not 'Concours perfect'. Add extra wax on area below where wheel splash gets wings, flaps. Try not to taxi when taxiway still wet from Rains.

Bottom Line, sure we would all agree, is 'Protection is Everything'. Everyone has to do their own Cost/ Benefit Analysis.

Do hope to fly @Florida AND the Keys again 'Someday Soon'.