Non aviation use of airport hangars

[oldtimer]

I just read a bit about the USA FAA stepping up enforcement of non-aviation use of airport hangars because in the USA, airports recieve federal funding and non aviation use is benifiting from these funds. Under proposed rules, even building a homebuilt airplane is not allowed. What is allowed is the final assembly of a homebuilt so it can eventually txi to the ramp or rnway. What they are also targeting is the use of hangars for storage of non aviation articles like boats, RV's, cars etc. Is there any policy like that in Canada and is it a problem anywhere? I quite often have seen RV's and stuff parked on airport property at small local airports and many special interest cars parked in hangars. Any comments?

[Changes in Latitudes]

I know a couple of leased spaces that specifically state that hangars are to be for aircraft storage only. There's been a couple scenarios I can think of where non-flying toys caught fire and destroyed other people's flying toys.

[Waldo Peppar]

Thank you for bringing up this topic.
My airplane wintered outside last winter due no hangar space available.....( have secured space several hundreds of miles away for the coming winter)
I do know of a large ex-military type of hangar at my home field being used for storing everything but airplanes.
I tried but was unable to get my airplane in there.
That hangar was big enough to solve the winter storage requirements for all the hangar challenged owners around this area.
You have given me food for thought...
Thanks

[Illya Kuryakin]

This subject has been keeping me up nights.
Illya

[Colonel Sanders]

So has the brothel in the hangar nearby.

[AirFrame]

My lease specifically states for aircraft only "and no other purpose". Two bays down it's full of old cars and a boat. I don't know what his lease says (same building) or if he cares. There are at least a dozen hangar bays on my airport that haven't seen an airplane (or in some cases, even the light of day) in years. It's a waste, but it's cheaper than a storage locker.

[avian44]

If a hangar is used for other than aeronautical purposes, then it loses immunity from provincial and municipal jurisdiction over development and building permits and codes. Thus private landlords write in the restriction. In cases where it is the municipality who owns the airport, the airport is often operated at something of a loss. The last thing that the town wants is to have one of its marquee civic symbols used as a taxpayer-subsided junked car lot, so they write in the restriction as well. Enforcement may be another matter.

[1000 HP]

I know a couple of leased spaces that specifically state that hangars are to be for aircraft storage only. There's been a couple scenarios I can think of where non-flying toys caught fire and destroyed other people's flying toys.

Yes I remember a large hanger in Whitehorse burning down in the late 1990s and taking out a beaver, goose, and about 6 helicopters. I heard it was the old cars shorted battery that caused it. The Goose was a beauty owned by some Swiss outfit.

[MZUNGO]

I drive past YCD every few weeks. most of it is a RV dealer/parking lot. I think 2 or 3 hangars are now devoted to campers/trailers.

[CpnCrunch]

I drive past YCD every few weeks. most of it is a RV dealer/parking lot. I think 2 or 3 hangars are now devoted to campers/trailers.

Ironically RDN has an (illegal) bylaw that says you can't build your own runway without their permission.

[Nanart]

This topic frustrates me.. I know for a fact that YQT has a row of hangers with taxiway access that the airport uses to store their junk. Hangers at an airport should be used for aviation use if the airport needs to store their junk they're other places for that. YQT is the most frustrating airport I've dealt with. They had no hanger space and no tie down space available for winter storage, what is a general aviation guy suppose to do!
Anyways there is talk about someone building a hanger for general aviation in YQT (don't really see it happening tho)

[Taiser]

Last I heard, there were hangar spots going up in YQT near the aviation school... a few planes are parked there now too, BUT I also heard the prices for these spots are retarded so there aren't many takers. Thunder Bay is the most unfriendly place I have ever seen for general aviation. NO way a town this size shouldn't have a decent flying club! It's not the lack of interest that's for sure...

[CpnCrunch]

Nothing (apart from motivation and money) is stopping you from buying a section of land and building your own airport. You don't even need permission from your municipality to do it!

Of course you'll probably make a lot more money for less effort just by sticking your money in the stock market...

[oldtimer]

From what I read, the FAA are twisted about is the practice of non-aviation use of airports and airport facilities at airports that receive federal funding. People are gaining financial rewards from the tax payers in an area where financial rewards were never intended.
If YQT has hangars full of boats and RV's, cannot one complain to your MP if the airport receives federal funding or to your MLA if the airport receives provincial funding? Then again that may just increase the cost to the tenants.