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Hangar facts for kids

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Hangar
Diagram of a hangar

A hangar is a special building designed to keep aircraft safe when they are not flying. Think of it like a big garage, but instead of cars, it stores airplanes, helicopters, or even airships! Hangars protect these valuable machines from bad weather, strong winds, and too much sun. Most hangars are made of strong metal. However, some can also be built from other materials like wood or concrete. They are essential for keeping aircraft in good condition.

What is a Hangar?

A hangar is a large, enclosed structure built specifically for aircraft. Its main job is to provide a safe home for planes, helicopters, and other flying machines when they are on the ground. This protection helps to keep the aircraft in good working order.

Why Do We Need Hangars?

Hangars serve several important purposes:

  • Protection: They shield aircraft from harsh weather like rain, snow, hail, and strong winds. They also protect against sun damage, which can fade paint and harm sensitive parts.
  • Maintenance: Many hangars have workshops inside. This allows mechanics to repair, inspect, and maintain aircraft in a controlled environment, no matter the weather outside.
  • Storage: When aircraft are not in use, hangars provide a secure place to store them. This keeps them safe from theft or vandalism.
  • Security: Hangars can be locked and guarded, adding an extra layer of security for expensive aircraft.

Different Kinds of Hangars

Hangars come in many shapes and sizes, depending on the type of aircraft they hold and their purpose.

  • Small Hangars: These might be found at small airfields or private farms. They often store single, smaller planes.
  • Large Hangars: Major airports have huge hangars that can fit several large passenger jets at once. These are often used for major repairs and maintenance.
  • Military Hangars: Air forces use hangars to protect fighter jets and transport planes. Some military hangars, called Hardened Aircraft Shelters, are built extra strong to resist attacks.
  • Naval Hangars: Large warships, like aircraft carriers and destroyers, have hangars on board. These are used to store and maintain helicopters or other aircraft that operate from the ship.
  • Airship Hangars: These are some of the largest hangars ever built. They are designed to house massive airships or blimps, which are much bigger than typical airplanes.

Materials and Design

While many modern hangars are made of steel, older ones or those in specific locations might use other materials. For example, some early hangars were made of wood. Others, like the historic seaplane hangars in Tallinn, Estonia, were built using reinforced concrete. The design of a hangar often includes large doors that can open wide enough for aircraft to move in and out easily.

History of Hangars

The idea of a hangar is almost as old as aviation itself. Even the Wright Flyer, one of the first successful airplanes, had a makeshift hangar to protect it. Early aviators quickly realized the need to shield their delicate flying machines from the elements. Over time, hangars grew larger and more complex as aircraft became bigger and more advanced. For instance, Carl Richard Nyberg had a hangar for his early aircraft, Flugan, back in 1908 in Sweden.

Some hangars are famous for their size or unique design. The former Marine Corps Air Station Tustin in California has two enormous blimp hangars. Hangar No. 2 there is over 326 meters (1072 feet) long, 89 meters (292 feet) wide, and 58 meters (192 feet) tall! These massive structures show how important hangars are for protecting even the largest flying machines.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Hangar para niños

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