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(406) 227-2271

Airplane Hangar Builder in Montana

Built for Real Work

Private hangars are among the most technically complex structures we build, and post-frame construction is exceptionally well-suited to the task. Wide clear spans, high eave heights, and the ability to accommodate large hydraulic or bi-fold doors make post-frame the smart choice for Montana aircraft owners.

H&H Custom Buildings has been building to exacting specifications in East Helena, MT, since 2005, and we have the experience to meet your aircraft’s exact requirements. If you own a private airstrip in central or western Montana and you’re ready to protect your aircraft investment with a purpose-built hangar, you’re in the right place.

HH Custom Buildings Single-Aircraft Hangars

Types of Aircraft Hangars We Build in Montana

Post-frame construction provides the structural flexibility to meet most private aviation needs. Whether you are hangaring a single light sport aircraft or building a multi-bay facility with a dedicated maintenance shop, we engineer the structure to fit the aircraft and the property.

  • Single-Aircraft Hangars

    The most common build for Montana private pilots. We size the structure to your specific aircraft including wingspan, tail height, and door-opening requirements, so you are not paying for a footprint you do not need. Standard single-aircraft hangars typically range from 40 to 60 feet wide with 14-foot-plus eave heights, depending on aircraft type. A Cessna 172 requires a meaningfully different rough opening than a Beechcraft Bonanza, and we size accordingly.

    HH Custom Buildings Single-Aircraft Hangars

  • Multi-Bay Hangars

    For owners with multiple aircraft, or a combination of aircraft and ground vehicles, we design multi-bay layouts with shared wall construction and independent door openings. Bay widths are sized individually for the aircraft assigned to each space, not defaulted to a standard module.

    HH Custom Buildings Multi Bay Hangar

  • Hangar and Maintenance Shop Combinations

    Aircraft storage paired with a dedicated maintenance and service workspace is one of the most practical configurations we build. Shop areas include 220V electrical service for equipment, additional lighting circuits, and a separate entrance independent of the main hangar door. Concrete is poured and sloped separately in each zone so maintenance fluids drain correctly without contaminating the hangar floor.

  • Hangar and Pilot Lounge Combinations

    Pilots who want a restroom, pilot lounge, or small crew space attached to their hangar can have it built into the original structure. We frame and finish these spaces as part of the initial build. Planning them in from the start yields better results at a lower cost than adding them later.

    HH Buildings Pilot lounge hangar

  • Agricultural Aviation Hangars

    Crop duster and agricultural aircraft storage require specific design considerations. We design ag aviation hangars with chemical containment in mind: sealed concrete, floor drainage systems, and ventilation appropriate for chemical storage adjacent to aircraft operations. If you are running fixed-wing agricultural operations in the Helena Valley or surrounding areas, confirm with us during the estimate process that your specific requirements are within our current scope.

    HH Custom Buildings Agricultural Aviation Hangar

    • Aircraft Hangar Specifications That Drive the Design

    Every dimension in an aircraft hangar is determined by a real engineering requirement. Here is what we design and why each specification matters.

    Clear-Span Width

    1

    Hangar width is driven by wingspan plus maneuvering clearance on each side. Most single-engine aircraft carry wingspans between 36 and 50 feet. We add a minimum of 4 to 6 feet of clearance per side for safe ground movement. These are minimums, not defaults. Your aircraft’s actual dimensions determine the rough opening, not a catalog size.

    Eave Height

    2

    Minimum eave height for standard single-engine aircraft is 12 to 14 feet. High-wing aircraft, floatplane configurations, or structures intended to accommodate future aircraft should be built to taller eaves. We design the eave height for your aircraft and your door system.

    Door Systems

    3

    H&H works with the door system that fits your aircraft and your budget. Common options for private hangars include hydraulic bi-fold doors, sliding doors, and stack doors. We frame and engineer the rough opening to the door system’s specifications before the door is sourced. If you have a preferred door vendor, we coordinate directly with them. If you need a recommendation, we can point you toward systems we have worked with on completed builds.

    Door Rough Opening

    4

    The rough opening width and height must be sized to your aircraft’s actual wingspan and tail height, not just the door manufacturer’s standard catalog dimensions. We confirm these specifications before framing begins. An opening that is 2 inches short of clearance is the same as an opening that is 2 feet short; the aircraft does not fit.

    Concrete Floor

    5

    Aircraft hangar slabs are built to a higher standard than a standard shop floor. We slope the floor toward drain points to properly handle fuel, oil, and water. Tie-down anchors are embedded during the pour, not drilled in after. The concrete specification is determined by your aircraft’s weight, expected traffic load, and intended use of the space.

    Electrical

    6

    Standard hangar electrical includes 110V and 220V service for lighting, aircraft battery charging, and shop equipment. We rough in circuits based on your planned equipment list during the build. Adding circuits after the fact costs more and requires reopening finished walls. Specifying what you need at the start is the right approach.

    HH Buildings Pilot lounge hangar

    Why Post-Frame Is the Right Choice for a Private Airplane Hangar

    Post-frame construction is one of the best choices for private aircraft hangars in Montana because it delivers clear-span space, lower cost, faster build times, and flexibility for future expansion.

    • Clear-Span Interiors With No Interior Columns
      A pole barn hangar gives you the full interior width without support columns interrupting the floor plan. No columns to maneuver around when moving aircraft, no structural constraints forcing you into a layout that does not fit your aircraft's turning radius. Clear-span construction is the primary reason post-frame became the standard for private hangar work.
    • More Cost-Effective Than Pre-Engineered Steel at Private Hangar Scale
      In the 40- to 80-foot width range common for private hangars, post-frame construction costs less per square foot than pre-engineered steel alternatives. That cost difference is meaningful when you are also budgeting for a door system, concrete work, and electrical. Post-frame delivers equivalent structural performance at a lower construction cost at this scale.
    • Built Around Your Aircraft, Not a Kit Size
      Post-frame construction allows eave heights and opening dimensions to be sized to your specific aircraft rather than constrained by a manufacturer's standard kit. If your aircraft requires a 16-foot eave and a 60-foot clear span, that is what we build. You are not choosing from a catalog of pre-set dimensions and hoping one fits.
    • Faster Construction With Less Disruption
      Post-frame buildings move from foundation to enclosed structure faster than most other commercial construction methods. For a private pilot managing an active property, a faster construction timeline means less disruption and an earlier date when the aircraft is protected and the building is usable.
    • Engineered for Montana Snow and Wind Loads
      Every H&H building is engineered for site-specific snow and wind loads. Helena-area winters impose real structural demands on any large-span building, and a hangar roof not designed for local conditions is a liability. Our buildings are designed for the actual environment in which they will sit, not for a national minimum standard.
    • Expandable When Your Fleet Grows
      Post-frame hangars can be extended with additional bays or attached shop space more straightforwardly than steel structures. If you are planning to add a second aircraft or expand the maintenance area in the future, a post-frame hangar accommodates that growth without a structural redesign.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Private Airplane Hangars in Montana

    Want to know more?

    Ready to Protect Your Aircraft? Get a Custom Hangar Estimate.

    H&H Custom Buildings has built post-frame structures in the Helena, MT area since 2005. Airplane hangars require precision, so we start by confirming your aircraft dimensions, site conditions, and door requirements.

    Planning a private hangar in Montana? Call us today to get your free estimate. We’ll ask the right questions and give you a clear answer on your build.