Aircraft owners have a lot of strong opinions, but one of the most consistent is the frustration over the lack of hangar space at airports all over the U.S.

In every FBO and field that I’ve visited over the past year, I ask if there is any available hangar space. In all cases, the airport managers have mentioned a hangar waiting list that has dozens of names deep, while outside tiedown space is universally available.

While havin hangar space is more expensive, there are many advantages to havin an airplane stored in a hangar over being tied down on the ramp. Among them are security, keeping the airplane out of the elements, havin a place for storage of tools and maintenance items, and just peace of mind.

My questions are not born out of an immediate desire to find new hangar space, but more of an intellectual curiosity in trying to understand how big of an issue the lack of hangar space really is. In fact, I’m mostly interested in the problem from an economic point of view.