Tight hangar or tie-down

[DylanRush]

I just measured my hangar doors to be 38 feet, 11 inches wide. I believe my 2001 DA-40 has a wingspan of 38 ft 3 inches.

I’m debating just leaving my airplane at a tie down, or rigging up an elaborate system to pull my DA40 into my hangar. Like rails that fold out that would keep the main gear in line. And maybe a winch to pull it by the tail hook.

Of course I can also spray paint some guidelines coming out of the hangar too. And get an electric tug to smooth out the force on the nose wheel. And maybe some pool noodles on the hangar doors. But with only 3-4 inches on either side the pucker factor would be significant.

Anyone else in a tight hangar? Or made the decision to just leave it outside?

Other variables to consider: it’s not a new paint job, and will be kept in the Pacific Northwest (Paine field specifically). The hangar is $450/month vs $75/month for the tie down

[Steve]

Dylan:

According to my AFM, the wingspan is 39' 2". So it won't fit easily (or at all) into that size opening. I have a 45 foot wide hangar, but the door opening is only 42' 6". So I have about a foot and a half of wingtip clearance on each side. 22 years ago, I painted three marks on the lip of the hangar opening to indicate where the three tires should be to center the aircraft in the opening as I push back with the PowerTow. I'm pretty compulsive about getting the wheels lined up precisely (and I've never come close to hitting a wingtip light. I did switch to the Orion LED wingtip lights a few years ago, which save about 2 inches total over the original strobe wingtip lights.

$450 a month is a lot more than $75, but you will likely get a lower hull insurance rate by keeping it in a hangar which will offset a small amount of the difference. I pay $650 a month for my (larger - 1860 square feet) hangar, but am able to use the extra space to store a lot of stuff, including 1-2 cars, a tire mounting machine, various hoists and other tools, etc.

[dant]

Other variables to consider: it’s not a new paint job, and will be kept in the Pacific Northwest (Paine field specifically). The hangar is $450/month vs $75/month for the tie down

The real question is how you found a hangar for 450/mo at PAE! I've been on the waitlist for a couple years now.

If the plane fits I'd get the hangar and rig up whatever was necessary, but I would double check your wingspan measurements.

[arksat]

Dylan,

My hangar clearance is about 3-4 inches per side. It does require finesse to move in/out, but practice makes perfect.

I painted guidelines and use wingtip cover to protect the tip in case I misaligned. It gives me a piece of mind.
https://aircraftcovers.com/DA40

[chocolatecake]

I don't think it will fit with those measurements, but nice to have another Diamond in the PNW.

[Mjwatlanta]

I keep my plane outside initially because there are no hangars in Atlanta. But I’ve been flying about three times a week taking instrument lessons and sometimes I just go over to the airport KFTY and do touch and goes for 30 minutes. When I want fuel, I just tell the desk at Hill FBO as I walk out on my way to my car. I don’t have to wait around for the truck. If I had a hangar, getting fuel would be time consuming. If I had a hangar, every flying trip might take 30 minutes longer with the pulling out and pushing in. So there are some advantages to be hangarless. And it’s way less expensive. I did get the plane ceramic coated to make easier to clean since it’s outside all the time. Right now this works great. It makes flying more convenient. But if a space opens up….

[DylanRush]

Interesting. The AFM from Diamond claims 39’ 2” while the tech specs on their website claim 38’ 3”. Maybe newer airframes got slightly shorter?

AFM: http://support.diamond-air.at/fileadmin ... mplete.pdf

Diamond website: https://www.diamondaircraft.com/en/priv ... ech-specs/

I’ll measure it next time I’m at the airport and report back.

[Rich]

The 38 ft. Is for the NG, which has winglets. This results in 6 inches less per side.

[Colin]

After refueling misadventure I never walk away until I see the truck at the plane. The FBO where it happened *knew* it took JetA, had trained every line personnel to know it took JetA, and the placards cannot be clearer. They put in 110LL.

[Mjwatlanta]

Fueling misadventures at my home airport are pretty unlikely. I know the line guys, and they know my plane. Everywhere else, I watch until the jet A truck pulls up.