FAA clarifies hangar-use policy

“AOPA would like to thank Congressmen Graves (R-Mo.) and Rokita (R-Ind.) and Senator Moran (R-Kan.) for their advocacy as well as the FAA for working with us to ensure hangar use policies match the realities of general aviation flying and aircraft ownership.

Graves and Rokita included language on hangar use in the House of Representative’s FAA reauthorization legislation and sent a letter to the FAA in 2014. Moran introduced an amendment on hangar use that was included in the Senate’s FAA reauthorization bill. 

Most notably, the update will allow noncommercial experimental and kit aircraft builders to do more work at airport hangars. 

In the past the FAA did not define aircraft building as an aeronautical activity and only final assembly was permitted at hangars on federally obligated airports. The new definition, which AOPA has long fought for, changes that definition to include noncommercial aircraft construction and not just final assembly. 

“AOPA believes that constructing an aircraft, not just the final assembly, is an aeronautical activity, which the update appropriately reflects,” said Coon. 

The FAA also clarified that aircraft down for repair and maintenance are still considered “operational aircraft” and may be kept in hangars at the discretion of airport sponsors. 

The update also will allow the storage of nonaeronautical items in hangars provided they do not interfere with the intended aeronautical use of the hangar and are allowed by the airport sponsor. 

Finally, for airports with hangar capacity that exceeds local demand, the FAA said, “it is preferable to make use of the hangars to generate revenue for the airport, as long as the hangar capacity can be recovered on relatively short notice for aeronautical use when needed.” 

For further information, the FAA has published a web page with frequently asked questions.