logansc
Well Known Member
The VAF site has two features which offer fellow RV’ers refuge when needed, the “Hurricane Inland Bases” list and the “RV Hotel” list. I’ve no idea how frequently these are proving useful, but on the assumption that they are in fact helpful, I’d like to suggest another for consideration.
Cross country travel in homebuilt aircraft can be troublesome for many of us since like many/most others here, I built the airplane myself and the idea that it might get damaged in a storm while tied down overnight or simply get really grungy from sitting out in the elements for several days really bothers me. That means I’m always looking for hangar space during trips and though often FBO’s can help, just as often their prices are prohibitive, even shocking in some cases (I’ve seen $80 a night!). You know from just the tone and helpful nature of the RV community that IF you knew someone at the airport you are going to, they would likely open their hangar to you if room were available---and you to them in return. But what are the chances that a literal quid pro quo such as that could be readily arranged on short notice?
So, I’m wondering if there might be any interest in establishing a directory of those who have hangar space more or less routinely available---short and long term. Everyone’s situation is different so there might be some for whom this would be no problem and others where it wouldn’t work at all. If, however, there are enough for whom such a program would not pose an undue burden such that a real network of available hangars could be established, it might be a very useful thing.
Doug may want to chime in here as there might have to be some “rules” established by the smart guys on the site to make it work. I assume responsibility and liability issues would have to be addressed, but even with those limitations in mind, maybe this could be a useful program. I would think aircraft would have to be fully insured “on their own” and not able to depend upon any insurance (or lack thereof) by the hosting hangar owner. Other considerations might also have to be invoked (like you have to make your hangar available to others also or you can’t participate?), but if we had a nationwide network of available hangars, cross-country travel might be greatly facilitated and much less worrisome for the community.
What do you think?
Cross country travel in homebuilt aircraft can be troublesome for many of us since like many/most others here, I built the airplane myself and the idea that it might get damaged in a storm while tied down overnight or simply get really grungy from sitting out in the elements for several days really bothers me. That means I’m always looking for hangar space during trips and though often FBO’s can help, just as often their prices are prohibitive, even shocking in some cases (I’ve seen $80 a night!). You know from just the tone and helpful nature of the RV community that IF you knew someone at the airport you are going to, they would likely open their hangar to you if room were available---and you to them in return. But what are the chances that a literal quid pro quo such as that could be readily arranged on short notice?
So, I’m wondering if there might be any interest in establishing a directory of those who have hangar space more or less routinely available---short and long term. Everyone’s situation is different so there might be some for whom this would be no problem and others where it wouldn’t work at all. If, however, there are enough for whom such a program would not pose an undue burden such that a real network of available hangars could be established, it might be a very useful thing.
Doug may want to chime in here as there might have to be some “rules” established by the smart guys on the site to make it work. I assume responsibility and liability issues would have to be addressed, but even with those limitations in mind, maybe this could be a useful program. I would think aircraft would have to be fully insured “on their own” and not able to depend upon any insurance (or lack thereof) by the hosting hangar owner. Other considerations might also have to be invoked (like you have to make your hangar available to others also or you can’t participate?), but if we had a nationwide network of available hangars, cross-country travel might be greatly facilitated and much less worrisome for the community.
What do you think?
Last edited:
CJ
