Behind Every Hangar Door There‘s A Story

A tip from a neighbor led J.T. Strange to Schweiss Doors for a customized bifold liftstrap/autolatch door for the hangar adjacent to his home at Obannon Creek Aerodrome Airpark in Goshen, Ohio. His neighbor was introduced to Schweiss Doors at AirVenture Oshkosh, say Strange, where he had the opportunity to talk to company owner Mike Schweiss.

"I researched a lot of other hangar door companies, but along the lines of making the personal contact [with my neighbor], I was pretty much sold on Schweiss and went that way," says Strange. "It wasn't even a matter of cost at that point anymore. I went on the reputation that Schweiss has."

The top corrugated panel of the bifold door overlaps the lower panel, making it appear seamless when closed, like that of a one-piece hydraulic door.

Strange's hangar required a 45-foot by 15-foot, 11-inch door to house his Cessna 182T, which he uses for business and pleasure. Bob Beckman of R.D. Beck Services of Harrison, Ohio, a Schweiss Doors installer since 1999, filled the request. Strange wanted a Schweiss bifold liftstrap/autolatch remote opening door, with black horizontal corrugated sheeting on the face of the door.

Strange's research and engineering background led him to select a bifold door over a one-piece hydraulic door because there's less surface area for windy conditions and when there's heavy snow. Another feature Strange chose was to have the door inset about two feet, instead of installing it on the face of the building.

Four liftstraps easily lift the 45-foot bifold door. Interior sheeting gives the door a nice clean look.

The inside of the hangar is painted in a patriotic red, white and blue with a large American flag on the back wall. Strange says he appreciates the sacrifices veterans have made, including his father, a Vietnam veteran. What he likes most about his door is the look.

"That's because when it comes to the mechanics of it, the operation of the motor and everything else, there have been no issues with it whatsoever," Strange says. "It's like you don't even think about the mechanics of it; it's very sound, even the autolatching system. That's why I haven't added the foam on both sides of the door. It pulls so tight in, it's pretty much sealed up already."

J.T. Strange wanted his hangar to go beyond the typical look of an airport hangar door. He accomplished this by mounting the sheeting horizontally and by having the corrugated panel of the bifold door overlap in the middle. The door is also two feet inset.

Beckman installs Schweiss doors, well, because he has one on his hangar.

"I tell them that Schweiss is a phone call away with an outstanding support group that will help with any technical question or problem on the spot," Beckman says. "I still have the old-style cable door on my hangar and it has never failed me, but since then, Schweiss has improved and added even more features to their doors. I tell customers and potential customers that Schweiss will always stand behind their doors."

Learn more about Schweiss Doors.

Plane & PilotStaff