What Are the Most Popular Features in Aircraft Hangars (and Why Do They Matter)?

Whether you're building a private hangar or planning a commercial facility, the right design inclusions can improve functionality, future-proof your investment, and make day-to-day operations significantly easier. 

Here are some of the most popular and practical features to consider in your hangar: 

Hangar Doors: More Than Just an Entrance 

Your door selection plays a crucial role in how the hangar operates. From vertical bifold doors to sliding or horizontal bifold systems, the door must suit your aircraft type and your site's layout. 

• Sliding doors are the most common Hangar Door system being low maintenance, simple and effective. 
  
  

• Vertical bifold or Tilt doors (e.g. AeroPanel, Schweiss) are popular when looking for a motorised hangar door or when looking for a maximum-width door opening without the need for the door to slide outside the building line. 
  
  

We also recommend considering: 

• Door height and width to allow for future aircraft that may use the Hangar. 

• Ease of automation and manual override options 
• Smooth transitions between apron and interior

Security Systems 

Aircraft are high-value assets, and hangars are often in secluded areas. That makes a robust security setup essential. 

• Smart locks and access control on doors 

• Camera systems for remote monitoring 

• Alarm integration for peace of mind 

In some cases, security can even positively impact insurance. Don’t forget document storage requirements, you may also require secure areas for sensitive files. 

Lighting That Works with Your Use Case 

Not all lighting is equal, especially in an aviation environment. 

• For storage hangars, minimal overhead lighting may suffice. 

• For maintenance hangars, you need high lux levels and task-specific lighting. 

Wall-mounted lighting can also prevent shadows at workbenches. Roof clear lights may also seem like a good idea, but UV exposure can degrade aircraft parts over time. 

Floor Finishes Built for Performance 

The right floor system is important both for function and aesthetics.  

Popular options include: 

Polished Concrete 

• Offers a smooth, reflective surface that reduces dust and enhances internal lighting. 

• Ideal for storage hangars due to low maintenance needs. 
  

Epotread 1000 Epoxy Coating 

• A semi-gloss, heavy-duty, two-pack epoxy with strong fuel, oil, and grease resistance, good for aviation environments. 

• It has remarkable tolerance to hydrostatic pressure and can be applied over slightly damp concrete, helpful if scheduling is tight. 

• Available in multiple colours 
  
  

Densified concrete systems  

• Such as Markham Global’s Aquron 1000 or;  

• Specialist work from Restorafloor 

Each option has its pros and cons depending on whether your hangar is for display, maintenance, or parking. 

Service Rails for Maintenance 

For hangars involved in aircraft maintenance, a service rail (also called a monorail or gantry beam) makes routine servicing significantly easier and safer. Installed under a main portal frame, this rail supports block and tackle or hoist systems capable of lifting 1 to 5 tonnes.  

Monorail systems typically use structural steel beam mounted overhead, with motorised or manual trolleys running along the rail. They allow precise positioning of heavy components like engines, without obstructing floor space. Whether electric, air powered, or manual crank, these hoists are essential for operational efficiency and compliance with safety protocols. Modern kits include overload protection, limit switches, wireless remote controls, and failsafe braking.  

Bird-Proofing: More Important Than You Think 

Birds nesting and perching on hangar rafters can cause corrosive droppings to land on your aircraft leading to extra maintenance or costly repairs. A “perch-free” rafter and purlin design eliminates nesting opportunities.  

Using Attika’s closed section RHS rafters with SteelBone enclosed steel purlins, (or timber purlins in smaller bays), creates a deliberately perch-free overhead space.  

Read more about Bird Proofing here.  

Aprons and Smooth Access 

The apron is the paved, transitional area in front of the hangar, and its quality impacts everyday operations. A smooth, level apron-to-floor transition prevents trolley jolts especially critical for helicopter hangars where the trolleys may have smaller wheels that are more susceptible to bumps. 

With properly detailed thresholds, chamfers, and expansion joints, movement becomes seamless. You minimise damage and operator fatigue, especially in frequent use hangars.  

For fixed-wing aircraft, the apron-to-threshold transition is typically more forgiving due to pneumatic tyres, which can better absorb small height differences. However, careful detailing is still important to protect landing gear, maintain comfort, and support smooth operations. 

Auxiliary Spaces: Offices, Training Rooms and more 

Integrating offices, briefing rooms, and workshops provides flexibility and efficiency. 

• Office space adjacent to the hangar door supports flight planning, admin, and operations without rerouting personnel. 

• Training and briefing rooms, fitted with AV equipment and comfortable seating, create dedicated crew ready areas. 

• Accommodation, such as pilot rooms or rest zones, suits remote or rural installs. 

• Secure storage areas for parts, tools, inspection records, and flight plans keep compliance simple. 

These ancillary rooms should be designed with proper insulation, lighting, ventilation, and fire separation. They allow multi-use turnover, where the hangar becomes a comprehensive, purpose-built aviation space. 

In Summary 

A well-designed hangar is a purpose-built facility tailored to your needs today, and your vision for tomorrow. At Attika, we work with you to get the details and features tailored to you right up front, because that’s what ensures longevity, efficiency, and usability. 

Learn more about building a hangar with Attika 

Or explore: How much does an aircraft hangar cost in NZ? 

Ready to talk about your site? Book a consultation or get in touch here