How Quality Aircraft Hangar Door Designs Keep you Flying Longer
Airplanes are built for the skies, but hangars serve as their home away from home. Before an airplane ever reaches cruising altitude, its hangar protects it from the elements to ensure it's fit to fly. Quickly entering and exiting these large buildings with an airplane is effortless when you have the right aircraft hydraulic hangar door design.
Hydraulic doors make parking an airplane as simple as pulling into a garage. With the push of a button, pilots are able to raise a one-piece hydraulic door quickly and smoothly. As easy as hydraulic doors are to operate, their real strength lies in their reliability. Whether you're a commercial pilot or a flying enthusiast, hydraulic doors add predictability to flying days - too bad the same can't be said of weather conditions!
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What I appreciated most were the people at Schweiss - Brent and the gang and the engineering support. When it was shop drawing time, everybody was attentive - here's the load, what it is per square foot, here's the assembly, there +were some electrical changes that Schweiss recommended to the electrical engineer. It was a complete package, what I would term as turnkey. Which is important especially when you are guiding an electrical engineer that may be working on another project.
It made it easier for him to do his job and he did it readily. Sometimes it ends up at the bottom of somebody's in-boxes. It was straightforward.
Robert Nalaboff
Goldens Bridge, NY
RELIABILITY STARTS WITH SIMPLICITY
Compared to traditional aircraft hangar doors, hydraulically powered doors have far less moving parts, which means there are fewer components that can break or malfunction. Hydraulic motors are able to lift and lower even the heaviest hydraulic doors for the largest airplane hangars.
Nearly all hydraulic hangar doors utilize springs to create the force necessary to open and close, but only hydraulic doors use liquid to slow the spring down and prevent abrupt slamming. The hydraulic advantage lies in the fact that the liquid serves as a shock absorber. While there's not a lot of complexity to the design, hydraulics create smooth door functionality for decades.
LESS STRESS
There aren't many things larger than a hydraulic airplane hangar door, which means that lifting and lowering it is a challenge not to be taken lightly (both literally and figuratively). One difficulty to overcome is the fact that a large hydraulic door can put lots of stress on a building when it lifts upwards. Besides the hangar structure, the hydraulic door itself must withstand heavy stress forces in several directions as it moves.
In order to compensate for extremely heavy loads, hydraulic doors feature clever engineering tricks. For example, Schweiss hydraulic doors utilize spherical bearings at each end of hydraulic cylinders, which ensure that stress is evenly distributed on the hydraulic door pins. This setup also allows hydraulic door cylinders and rods to remain straight, rather than bow under stress. Spherical bearings don't only make a hydraulic door more reliable, they make it safer to operate. Less stress on components lowers the odds of a structural failure.
KEEPING THINGS MOVING
A tried and true system is the best protection against a broken hydraulic door. One way to protect against breakdowns is by using standalone electric motors with safety compliant components. Companies such as Schweiss only utilize UL listed parts in electrical boxes to limit the impact of a malfunction. Should something go wrong, the parts in this control center can easily be replaced with common components on the market.
Another key to long-lasting door functionality is ease of maintenance. A filter indicator should clue you in as to when it's time for a replacement, and removing the filter should be easy without the risk of spilling oil. Adding oil to the motor should be just as effortless, so systems like those from Schweiss incorporate glass to make it easy to gauge oil levels before replacement.
In the unlikely event that a motor fails to work, it's important to have a backup plan. Power outages, for example, shouldn't leave your plane grounded in the hangar. Luckily, hydraulic systems feature DC battery backup to open and close the hydraulic door even when the electricity goes out. Schweiss incorporates DC power backup and several other backup options so pilots can take to the skies no matter the circumstances.
WHERE YOUR RUNWAY BEGINS
If the technology behind hydraulic hangar doors sounds complicated, just remember that we have the same passion for this type of engineering as you have for aviation. The Schweiss Doors team stops at nothing to continually improve upon hydraulic aircraft hangar door designs and provides the most reliable products on the market.
If you're interested in elevating your hangar's safety and reliability, contact our friendly team. We are excited to help get your project off the ground so you can store your plane without any headaches. Call us today!
BIG HYDRAULIC DOORS THAT ARE SPECIALLY BUILT "SCHWEISS TOUGH"
Schweiss Doors of Fairfax, Minnesota has been setting records for years with its super-large series of quality manufactured Red Power Hydraulic door orders. A majority of these hydraulic doors are being installed at airports, military base locations agricultural, commercial and industrial buildings worldwide.
We not only can build them BIG, up to 130 feet wide x 36 ft. tall and 8 tons big like we did for a New Jersey aviation company, but we build them any size and all are Schweiss Tough! Here are a few other examples of specially ordered Schweiss Tough, custom made, big hydraulic doors we've done:
Revier Feed Storage Bunker Hydraulic Doors
Tom Revier, owner of Revier Cattle Company in Olivia, MN needed a feed storage building for his 16,000 head beef operation. Filling a 220 ft. x 120 ft. steel and concrete bunker building called for tough Schweiss hydraulic doors to contain the weight of the grain pushing against it. Schweiss Doors built two 15' 6" x 15' custom made hydraulic doors for it positioned at each end. These 2,500 lb. doors were constructed with 3/4" steel welded into the framework of 8" beams and used oversized pistons to lift them. To make certain there would be zero leakage of grain, four 6" long steel pegs drop into the concrete footing and two steel pegs were place on each edge to lock into the steel I-beam framework of each door. Each Schweiss hydraulic door has a 54"x44" tall steel slider which lets the grain pour out for augering into feed trucks.
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What I like best about the door is the automatic latching levers. They are very stout when you close the door. The construction of the Schweiss door is more durable than I expected. It appears the door was made to be of a high strength lifting ability. The door doesn't wobble, there's no movement on it, it comes up easy and it is firm. Even if it's windy out there's never any motion on the door; none whatsoever. If there is a light rain outside, when you lift open the bifold door you have a patio with a roof. We take the tables out there and enjoy watching planes on the field without getting wet.
Ron Sterba
Salem, Oregon
Farm/Trucking operation high speed hydraulic doors
Most customers don't spend money on a hydraulic door just because it opens and closes fast. But that was a deciding factor for a Renville County, MN farm/truck operation that runs a fleet of over-the-road semi rigs. Terry Albright appreciated the 37-second opening speed on his big 3,800 lb. insulated Schweiss 42'x17' hydraulic door because when he's running rigs out of a heated shop in sub-zero windy Minnesota winter conditions he wants to keep his heating bills down and rigs on the road. Instead of fitting the hydraulic door with a standard 2 h.p. motor, Schweiss placed a wall-mounted pump with a 5 h.p. electric motor to easily lift the hydraulic door. The hydraulic door is also fitted with three high-intensity lighting fixtures fastened midway up the door for evening work convenience.
Classic Florida hangar home has lifting wall/porch
It's a Schweiss "show piece" which has literally received television coverage on numerous occasions. What may be the coolest ever hangar home has a 45'x15' Schweiss hydraulic door sporting a wrap-around porch with decorator railing, table and chairs, a walk-through door with a stylish window and veranda roof. It's nearly impossible to tell it is a jazzed-up California hangar home. "If you have a dream about a special building, run it by the Schweiss team. They do great stuff with doors and they're easy to work with," commented owner Dan Shaw.
These are just some examples of skilled Schweiss Hydraulic Door engineering. These stories and more can be viewed full length on the Schweiss Doors "Must See Photos" website at www.bifold.com
Schweiss is a leading North American Hydraulic Door Manufacturer
When you mention "North America" many people are under the presumption that includes only the northern tier states of the United States. The actual definition of North America is the continent comprising the northern half of the American landmass, connected to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. It contains Canada, the U.S., Mexico, the countries of Central America and usually Greenland.
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Schweiss doors are a reliable and sturdy product and we like that they provide the ability to apply different finishes to customize them further. The white, lacey metal screen is reminiscent of ghosted brick and is supported by large wood columns that reveal themselves along the exterior façade. In addition to providing overhead weather protection during the day, lighting will be provided at night to create a lantern or beacon on the corner, allowing the screen to glow and cast a shadow onto the street.
Noelle Galicia
Seattle, Washington
That's exactly where you'll find Schweiss hydraulic doors located. Our hydraulic doors are sold all over North America and beyond for that matter. North Americans are particular about what they spend their money on, and they know that an investment in a low maintenance quality made Schweiss hydraulic door will pay off with benefits in the years to follow.
Whether it's a Schweiss hydraulic door used on a large corporate airport hangar in Mexico or Costa Rica or a hydraulic door as far north as Alaska, Canada or Greenland, Schweiss hydraulic doors stand up to the test of weather and constant use in all climates, hot or extremely cold, where winds are strong enough to blow a ship across the ocean in no time flat. Whether you need hydraulic or bifold doors for aircraft hangars, farm and ranch doors, industrial doors, crane doors, military doors, riding arena doors, hotel and restaurant doors, doors for commercial use, residential doors, boathouse doors, garage doors, patio and pool doors, designer doors or whatever. If you're in the market for a sturdy hydraulic one-piece door, or Schweiss's premier bifold liftstrap door, before you try the rest, check into the best. That can only mean a Schweiss Door, the door leader, no matter what country or continent you live in.
Schweiss Builds Residential Hydraulic Doors For the Aircraft Hangars at Aero Country East
Aero East's pool features their logo, three swim-up tables, a large hot tub to fit 14 people, and umbrellas to provide shade. Schweiss was chosen to build custom-made residential hydraulic doors for the residents hangar homes. See how they add an elite touch to the community!
Inside the beautiful, gated airport sits swimming pools, barbecue grills and two 18-hole golf courses.
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I knew I wanted to do a big hangar door. I found Schweiss on the Internet and it seemed to work. We have four bars in the place; the hangar door and bar next to it are about the same size. We installed the door and that went okay. I'm pleased with the door and have been excited to see it used by people here.
Chris Horrigan
Brooklyn, NY
AN AIRPARK COMMUNITY
According to Aero Country East Developer and pilot Mike Shell, Texas has very few aviation lifestyle communities and likely none with the first-class atmosphere of Aero Country East.
The concept of airparks isn't anything new - they can be found all over the country and even the world. Aero Country East has taken the concept of airparks one step further. This community is an airpark that was designed by pilots and is located in the North Dallas Metroplex. They offer a maintenance-free aviation lifestyle community with relaxing country club level amenities.
Aero Country East is just 15 nautical miles northeast of the north Dallas area, and sits within the city limits of McKinney, Texas. It provides several pilots with the convenience of airport access - handy for those who commute in and out of Dallas.
The country club offers a total of 39 completely customizable elite townhomes on site. Buyers have the option to design the interior of their townhomes exactly to their liking.
After a long, hot Texas day, residents and their families can cool off in the beautiful pool which is noticeable by air with the large Aero Country East logo imprinted inside of it.
Pool Features include:
• Three swim-up tables inside the pool
• Umbrellas to provide shade
• A large 14 person hot tub
• Firepit & two barbecue grills
• Full ADA access accommodates those with disabilities
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE COMBINED WITH AVIATION LIFESTYLE
Owner Mike Shell wants to bring the best experience to pilots at Aero Country East.
"We have the best Rolls Royce engine mechanic in the world here…You also don't see very many airports with swimming pools, barbecue grills, golf carts and two 18-hole golf courses that residents can access by golf cart. Every airport has a mission and purpose that fits the needs of the pilot. Aero Country East has a concierge service
If you want your plane fueled or floor cleaned we will do that for you. We fit the aviation lifestyle,"
- Mike Shell, Developer at Aero Country East
Aero County East puts the community first. They often help boy scouts get their aviation badge, and encourage them to become future pilots. Committed to aviation, Shell's goal is to get more young people into aviation.
Aero County East is a busy place - it has two fly-ins a year, bringing pilots in from all directions.As for competition, Shell says: "Municipal airports are supported by tax revenue. They don't want Stearmans or Pipers, they are looking for corporate jets. We don't compete with these airports, we fill a need for people coming out to enjoy aviation. We get along nicely with the municipal airports around here."
SO WHERE DO THE PLANES STAY?
A brand new 3,000 ft. x 60 ft. runway and 1,104 ft. grass runway equipped with LED windsocks accommodates various piston and turbine aircraft. If you make it to Aero Country East, keep an eye out for T-6 "Texans," Stearmans, Pipers and other varieties of aircraft landing on the runway. If you look closely, you'll also see that all of the gorgeous aircraft hangars are outfitted with Schweiss hydraulic doors!
79 top-notch hangars line the runway and await pilots with ample room for aircraft storage. 40 aircraft are currently housed in the Aero Country East hangars while the nearby west side airport houses an additional 120.
All Hangars at Aero Country East feature Schweiss Hydraulic Doors with the iconic Red Power Pump.
Shell originally came to discover Schweiss hydraulic hangar doors through his friend Dwayne Clemens at Stearman Field in Benton, Kansas. Once chosen for the job, Schweiss worked closely with Shell to design the ideal residential hydraulic doors for the aircraft hangars in the community. Shell saw firsthand what our customer service is all about:
"I've gotten calls from Schweiss Doors, they pay attention to detail. I've made mistakes when it comes to certain windows or measurements, etcetera, which the guys at the Schweiss factory have caught because they know what we are building now. They'll call me and say 'Hey Mike, did you mean to do that, or do you really want to do this?' They have been a true joy to work with,"
Schweiss Hydraulic Door Details
• Schweiss hydraulic hangar doors meet architectural requirements for the hangars
• All of the hydraulic doors at Aero Country East are styled identically, adding uniformity to the complex
Townhome Details
• Townhomes are built around an all-steel 60 ft. x 60 ft. pre-plumbed hangar fitted completed with a Schweiss Hydraulic Door
• Hangar garages are outfitted with elevators and stairs to take residents to their comfortable townhomes
• Some residents choose to build in beautiful granite floors, bars, and other amenities for entertaining
• Hangars are fitted with electricity - one resident added a first-class kitchen and theater in their hangar!
• Corner lots can offer a spacious 160,000 sq. ft, while interior lots have a suitable 135,000 sq. ft.
Custom floor and unique paint job suit this hangar.
LOCATION & FUTURE OF AERO COUNTRY EAST
Quite a bit of planning went into selecting the final location of Aero Country East. One concept that played into location planning was the fact that many small airports had closed or downsized for various reasons. Aero Country East found a way to provide a unique and privately owned, high-class aviation lifestyle community enabling it to thrive in the niche market.
Since the groundbreaking ribbon cutting ceremony on August 17, 2010, Aero Country East has taken large strides, but is only just getting started. A six-phase plan will add an additional 40,888 acres to the current 17,305 acres it stands on now. Improvements for the future include further landscape and stormwater improvements, and the addition of shops and restaurants.
For more information on Aero Country East, call them at (972) 854-2000. For Information on how our unique Schweiss Hydraulic Doors played an important role in securing these aviation hangars contact us today!
Owners personalize their hangars to fit their aviation dreams.
Schweiss hydraulic doors are fitted with large custom windows, which allow for a lot of natural light to flow in.
The construction phase of a hangar with a large Hydraulic Door.
View of Aero Country East property.
With enough room for planes, cars and even bars, what could you fit inside the 60 ft. x 60 ft hangar?
Aero Country East currently has 79 top-notch 60' x 60' hangars, like this one with an added bar for entertaining.
Schweiss hydraulic doors can be custom built with additions like windows in any location and of any size
When in the open position, a Schweiss hydraulic door provides shade for the front of the hangar
Only hydraulic doors are allowed on Aero Country East hangars
A new hangar and townhome under construction at Aero Country East
Unique hangar home configuration includes hydraulic bump-out doors
In order to make use of all available space within his beautiful hangar home, Tom Green of Marcelona, Michigan has an elaborate building plan that enables his planes to enter the hangar three feet up and suspended in the air on ramps. His planes never get lowered down to the floor, which, in turn, opens up the entire hangar floor for other uses.
To optimize space, two 42 ft. x 12 ft. Schweiss hydraulic "Bump-Out" doors surround an open conventional garage door to show you how Tom Green of Marcelona, Michigan was able hangar his Cessna T337 Skymaster and Lake 250 Renegade and other cars and toys into his hangar.
If this sounds confusing, just take a look at the photos that accompany this story - they lay it out in plain (or plane) sight. His hangar home has two 42 ft. x 12 ft. Schweiss hydraulic doors and a regular conventional garage door that separates them. He is able to hangar his Cessna Skymaster T337 and his Lake 250 Renegade inside and still has room for his vehicles and other toys.
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While at Oskosh, I looked at every single door operator; sometimes I would sit there for a half hour to see how the doors functioned. Some manufacturers doors moved in a way that wasn't particularly attractive to what I wanted to do. There were others that were hard to modify. Before I could continue with building my home, I had to be absolutely convinced that it was the right door. Eventually I deduced that the Schweiss door had the greatest structural integrity to make this work.
Tom Green, Financial Adviser
Marcelona, Michigan
After looking at other hangars he became aware of how much space was wasted in a conventional square or rectangular floor plan. And secondly, if you needed to get something out of the hangar that was stored behind the airplane, you would have to move the plane out of the hangar to get at it. His thoughts went to figuring out how to make everything move inside of the hangar without having to move everything else.
"I started testing my theory by building and using ramps at the commercial airport where I was hangaring my plane. I noticed that the further I got the plane in the air I could see how it opened everything up. I checked with other manufacturers doors, but they moved in a way that I didn't particularly like because they were too hard to modify for my use," said Green.
A trip to the Oshkosh Air Show in Wisconsin sealed the deal.
An aerial view of the front of Green's hangar home, gives no indication of a hangar within. Close proximity to the runway allows him to quickly taxi out of his hangar and get into the air.
The star-shaped configuration in this aerial view show the layout of his 2,450 sq. ft. hangar. A bump-out, shown directly behind the plane, lifts with the Schweiss hydraulic door and when down it houses the nose of his plane.
"While at Oskosh I looked at every single door operator; sometimes I would sit there for a half hour to see how the doors functioned," noted Green. "Some manufacturers doors moved in a way that wasn't particularly attractive to what I wanted to do. There were others that were hard to modify. Before I could continue with building my home, I had to be absolutely convinced that it was the right door. Eventually I deduced that the Schweiss door had the greatest structural integrity to make this work."
So, his next step was to take his 16 ft. walled 2,450 sq. ft. hangar and tuck it behind his house with standard eight-foot walls. Sounds hard to do, but he totally disguised his hangar and by using the Schweiss hydraulic doors and modifying the front of the hydraulic doors with small roofed bump-outs complete with windows to match the homes exterior. The bump-outs allow the planes to be moved forward. To the seeing eye, no one has any clue this is a hangar house.
In order to allow for the added weight created by the hydraulic door bump-outs and extra cladding and windows, Schweiss Doors engineers recommended an enhanced and beefed up cylinder lift system.
Green decided on Schweiss hydraulic doors over bifold liftstrap doors because he needed the clearance and because his planes were elevated three feet in the air, he didn't want the hangar to be any taller than it needed to be.
"The whole nose of the planes actually sits outside the actual hangar but are protected by the bump-outs built around it. By moving my planes forward, the space in front of the wing is minimal. The Schweisss hydraulic doors worked perfectly for this because they swing outward and upward," said Green.
The Lake 250 Renegade is elevated three feet above floor level to give ample parking room under the wing for his vehicle and other toys. The configuration of the hydraulic door bump-outs and placement of the decorative windows.
A sideview shows just how far the nose of the Skymaster sits inside the bump-out door. Because of the added weight of the bump-out with decorative windows and exterior cladding, Schweiss Doors supplied a larger beefed up cylinder lift system to easily handle the heavy doors.
The bottom of the 42 ft. x 12 ft. Schweiss hydraulic door seals weathertight to the flooring. Green scouted several other door manufacturers before deciding Schweiss hydraulic doors had the greatest structural integrity to make his hangar dream come true.
With this hangar home configuration, he can store two airplanes, four snowmobiles, four cars, two 24-foot boats and still has room for a 39x13 ft. workroom.
This photo taken early in the construction of Green's new 1,500 sq. ft. home shows the two bump-outs located on each side of this garage door. These bump-outs are actually built into the Schweiss hydraulic doors
Tennessee jet hangar 70 ft. hydraulic door opens for doctor clinic visits
Dr. Ron Bingham finds himself flying his CJ1 or his Cirrus SR22 jet aircraft out of his new 90 ft. x 70 ft. hangar quite often. His Bingham Nerve & Muscle medical practice, formerly EMG Clinics of Tennessee, specializes in state-of-the-art nerve and muscle testing and takes him to satellite clinics in Germantown and Southaven, Tennessee and accredited EMG laboratories in the Memphis area. He also has clinics in Paris, Jackson, Dyersburg, Union City and Selmer, Tennessee and at Southaven, New Albany and Greenwood, Mississippi.
Ron Bingham often has two or three planes in his 90' x 70' hangar. He mostly flies his Citation 525S to fly himself and three technologists to eight satellite clinics throughout Tennessee and Mississippi.
His hangar, located at McKeller-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson, Tennessee has a 70 ft. x 16 ft. Schweiss hydraulic door equipped with remote openers.
A strong truss that spans across the exterior bottom of the hydraulic door gives it extra strength. Heavy-duty Schweiss hydraulic cylinders and a compact hydraulic pump system easily open this heavy 70' one-piece door.
"We typically have two small planes and a Citation jet," noted Bingham. "I chose a hydraulic door because I wanted maximum clearance to accommodate as many Citation models as we could. This door is big enough to accommodate a CJ3. I love my door; it's reliable, quiet and I love my hanger. I would recommend Schweiss Doors to anyone; they manufacture quality, durable doors. Right now, I am sitting outside of the hanger just smiling while I look at it. I have never had any problems after the initial install."
After the hangar was built and the door installed Bingham had a Schweiss company representative come on-site to ensure the door was in proper working order.
He mostly flies his SR22 carrying three technologists to each of his satellite clinics to provide nerve and muscle testing. He also flies a Citation CJ, a lease plane to help defray costs. He says the CJ is a very smart plane with lots of utility and often has two or three planes in the hangar since his son is also a pilot.
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We typically have two small planes and a Citation jet. I chose a hydraulic door because I wanted maximum clearance to accommodate as many Citation models as we could. This door is big enough to accommodate a CJ3. I love my door; it's reliable, quiet and I love my hanger. I would recommend Schweiss Doors to anyone; they manufacture quality, durable doors. Right now, I am sitting outside of the hanger just smiling while I look at it. I have never had any problems after the initial install.
Dr. Ron Bingham
Jackson, Tennessee
Bingham has owned more than 20 different planes since learning to fly in 1989. He's a private pilot with IFR and ME privileges and also is type-rated in the Citation 500 series and holds a Citation 525S rating. His love for flying evolved from travels he took with his dad who was in the Peace Corps. He also buys and sells CJs.
Bingham Nerve & Muscle was founded by Ronald C. Bingham, M.D., in 1989. For more information on their services, visit their website at: https://www.nerveandmuscle.com or call 800-224-1807.
Bingham's hangar is located at McKeller-Sipes Regional Airport in Jackson, TN. He loves the convenience of his remote opener that he can use from his car or plane.
This Citation CE-525 and other planes fit nicely in his new hangar and the hydraulic 16' door gives him the headroom clearance he needs. Bingham is a private pilot with IFR and ME privileges and also is type-rated in the Citation 500 series and holds a Citation 525S rating.
His modern 90 ft. x 70 ft. hangar is heated and air-conditioned and has a full bath, office and storage room.
Bingham flies this Cirrus SR22 and his son also flies and uses this hangar occasionally.
Bingham's Cirrus SR22 Citation 525S parked outside his Jackson, TN hangar that has a 70' x 16' Schweiss hydraulic door.
Oregon jet hangar has 76 ft. hydraulic door
Lanz Cabinets of Eugene, Oregon, decided on a Schweiss 76 ft x 23.6 ft. hydraulic door on their new hangar. Their new Varco Pruden 9,288 sq. ft. corporate jet hangar as built by the Eugene family owned Ordell Construction. The Schweiss hydraulic hangar door with electric photo eye sensors and remote opener is 76 ft. wide x 23.6 ft. tall.
The Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet sits proudly in front of its new Lanz Cabinets corporate hangar in Eugene, Oregon. The Schweiss hydraulic 76 ft. wide x 23.6 ft. tall hangar door is equipped with electric photo eye sensors and remote opener.
The Lanz hangar was selected as winner in the Transportation category in the 2019 Varco Pruden Hall of Fame presentation. Inside the hangar are several offices, a kitchen, meeting room and fireplace lounge.
Brent Lanz, the owner of Lanz Cabinets, was very pleased with every part of the new hangar including the hydraulic door.
"We have the hydraulic door equipped with a remote opener so as the plane is pulling in, we just push a button and it starts opening. We lined the inside of it with panels that make it look super nice as well. The door is absolutely wonderful; it is a very fine piece of equipment. It's quiet, nice, and it's the best door for our hangar for sure," said Lanz.
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We actually built this hangar for our corporate Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet. We had a different airplane before in a smaller hangar that would not fit the Challenger. Your door was the solution enabling us to build the hangar where it is. With a bifold door we would have had to build the hangar taller because there are height restrictions on their side of the airfield; the control tower needed their line of sight.
Scott Adamo, Chief Pilot
Lanz Cabinets, Eugene, OR
As far as the hangar itself, Lanz said he loves the skylights and the architectural feature of the exposed metal frames. The main reason they went with a Schweiss hydraulic door was because they needed all the height they could get because there are height restrictions on their side of the airfield; the control tower needed their line of sight.
"We actually built this hangar for our corporate Bombardier Challenger 300 business jet. We had a different airplane before in a smaller hangar that would not fit the Challenger. Your door was the solution enabling us to build the hangar where it is. With a bifold door we would have had to build the hangar taller because there are height restrictions on their side of the airfield; the control tower needed their line of sight," said Chief Pilot Scott Adamo.
Both Lanz and Adamo pointed out they also like the fast opening door and that when the door is open it allows passengers can get out and not have to step out in the rain. Besides that, they think the door look cool.
Regarding the installation of this big hydraulic door, Project Manager, Erik Stolle from Ordell Construction said: "The installation was carefree. It was kind of daunting at first, but we just laid it out and pieced it together. We put our minds together and came up with a good installation game plan. We didn't run into any hang-ups because the Schweiss installation manual was easy to follow. The door works great and opens and closes really smooth. When our on-site superintendent has questions, a call to Schweiss Doors was there when he needed it."
Exterior lights beside the top of the hydraulic door make it easier for the pilot to enter the hangar after dark. The interior of the modern hangar with its offices, meeting room and a lounge with a fireplace is very well lit.
Beautiful Lanz cabinets is available in the full-size kitchen for use by pilots and guests.
Lanz Cabinets
Established over five decades ago by Darrell and Mary Lanz in Eugene, Oregon, Lanz Cabinets was built on a foundation of providing handcrafted custom cabinetry with dependable service. The company has continued to grow under the leadership of its current president, Brent Lanz, the founders' eldest son. Today it stands as a progressive cabinet manufacturing company that sells custom cabinetry throughout the western United States.
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We have the hydraulic door equipped with a remote opener so as the plane is pulling in, we just push a button and it starts opening. We lined the inside of it with panels that make it look super nice as well. The door is absolutely wonderful; it is a very fine piece of equipment. It's quiet, nice, and it's the best door for our hangar for sure.
Brent Lanz, President & Owner
Lanz Cabinets, Eugene, Oregon
A custom cabinet shop within its facility services the regional, single-family market. Whether the nature of a project is new construction or remodeling, their custom cabinet craftsmen can produce cabinets for all rooms of the home.
As an environmentally friendly company long before it was in vogue, Lanz decided to show its commitment by voluntarily becoming certified in the KCMA's Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP). Their wood products have received chain-of-custody certification through a sustainable forestry program. In the past year they donated to organizations offering advocacy for children and for building homes for seniors, families, veterans and people with special needs across Oregon.
Lanz Cabinets are manufactured in Eugene, Oregon. Their showroom and headquarters is located at 3025 West 7th Place. Phone: 541-485-4050. http://lanzcabinets.com
A heavy-duty truss at the bottom of the door gives it additional support. Strong Schweiss hydraulic cylinders easily lift the heavy 76 ft. wide door. Ordell Construction photos by Richard McConochie
Ordell Construction LLC
Established in 1959, Ordell Construction changed ownership in 2007 and remains a growing family-owned business and prosperous organization and leader in the construction industry to this day as an authorized representative for Varco Pruden Metal Building Systems providing quality pre-engineered metal building and replacement component parts.
Ordell maintains membership in several industry organizations such as AGC (Association of General Contractors) and CSI (Construction Specifications Institute). This allows Ordell to stay on top of a rapidly changing industry and they appreciate how hard these organizations work to help make our world a better place.
These organizations that Ordell is aligned with give back to the community.
Every bit of the 23.6 ft door height is taken up by its tall tail. The 76 ft. wide hydraulic door gives the Bombardier Challenger 300 jet's 54 ft. wingspan ample room. The inside of the hydraulic door is insulated and lined.
The one-piece Schweiss hydraulic door gives the hangar a nice clean look and a weathertight seal when closed. The hangar office can be seen to the right of the door.
Corporate Pilot, Scott Adamo, says his passengers appreciate the fact that when the big hydraulic door is open it offers a sheltered canopy against the rain. He also likes how quickly the big hydraulic door opens.
Hydraulic helicopter door wins first place in master builder contest
Quite often if you read about a particular building with hydraulic or bifold doors winning a design award it will most likely feature a Schweiss quality door on it.
Ely Helicopter Services 98' x 70' hangar in Sallisaw, Oklahoma has a Schweiss 46' x 15' hydraulic door with a remote opening system.
Ely Helicopter Services of Sallisaw, Oklahoma fits into that category. Their new 98 ft. x 70 ft. steel hangar built by B&B Welding, also of Sallisaw, won first place in the Best of Hangar division Star Master Builder contest.
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When I put up Schweiss doors I know what I'm going to get and what I expect. I like the hydraulic doors for the full canopy they provide with no loss of headroom. It also keeps our sidewalls down low; the higher we have to go with a building; the more cost. I looked at the way your bifold doors come together and the thickness of the backing where the hydraulic door pushes out on the hydraulic cylinder. I just see more quality in them, and they are very competitive in price.
Bill Buckner
Star Buildings Contractor,
B&B Welding, Sallisaw, Okla.
Jason Ely, owner of Ely Helicopter Services has a 46 ft. x 15 ft. Schweiss hydraulic doon on his hangar. It is equipped with two hand-held remote openers that can be used in his helicopter or truck. Most of his business involves crop spraying but other services such as aerial photos, wildlife and land surveys, pipeline and powerline patrol, cattle roundups and aerial hog and predator control and eradication make up the balance of his company offerings.
Oklahoma gets hot, hot, hot in the summer - that was one reason Ely chose a Schweiss hydraulic door for his hangar.
"I really like that the hydraulic door gives you more shade to keep the hangar cooler," said Ely. "I've seen Schweiss doors before on other hangars, I'm totally pleased with the construction of the door."
From a builder's point of view, Bill Buckner of B&B Welding recommended the Schweiss hydraulic door for Ely's hangar. Ely was originally contemplating ordering a bifold door from a company in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
"When I put up Schweiss doors I know what I'm going to get and what I expect. I like the hydraulic doors for the full canopy they provide with no loss of headroom. It also keeps our sidewalls down low; the higher we have to go with a building; the more cost. Being I was putting the door in I really wanted to go with Schweiss.," said Buckner.
He said installation isn't at all difficult. He was able to hang Ely's hydraulic door in one day and had everything else working on the next day.
In order to get the optimum clear opening height on their new building, Ely Helicopter Services went with a one-piece hydraulic door. The door is positioned in the middle of the steel building endwall.
Ely said his growing business that originally started with one airplane in 1975 now takes him anywhere between the left and right coasts of the United States if there is enough work to do. His air fleet now consists of two helicopters; a Jet Ranger Bell B3 and a Robinson R44 Raven II. He also has a Cessna Ag Truck and an American Champion Scout.
Buckner first became acquainted with Schweiss doors while looking at hangars at the Bentonville Airport that had both the Schweiss hydraulic and bifold doors on them.
"I looked at the way your bifold doors come together and the thickness of the backing where the hydraulic door pushes out on the hydraulic cylinder. I just see more quality in them, and they are very competitive in price. When I look at hangar doors, it's going to be Schweiss," said Buckner. When I build buildings or hangars, they are going to be Star Buildings, nothing else."
The fleet at Ely Helicopter Services includes a Jet Ranger Bell B3, a Robinson R44 Raven II, a Cessna Ag Truck and an American Champion Scout. In addition to aerial photo trips the Ely pilots fly out for wildlife surveys, land surveys, cattle gathering, pipeline and powerline patrol, pasture, brush, timber control, aerial hog eradication and predator control.
The hydraulic door is insulated to retain heat in the cold months and keep the hangar cool during hot Oklahoma summers. The large canopy door helps shade the interior of the hangar when opened.
Bill Buckner of B&B Welding stands by Schweiss doors above all others on the market. He appreciates the fact they provide no loss of headroom and ease of installation
The steel hangar was entered into Star's Master Builder Contest and won first place in the Best of Hangar category. It was built by B&B Welding of Sallisaw. Inside the comfortable hangar are three air-conditioned offices.
Iowa high school aviation academy has Schweiss 58 ft. hydraulic door
Moving aircraft into the new Des Moines, Iowa High School Aviation Academy wasn't a cut and dried job. Public streets had to be shut down from the Des Moines Airport to get their aircraft into their new facility down the road after the airport lease had expired.
Architect, Mark Thiessen, left, discovered that the first door company the high school contacted didn't have engineers that knew what they were doing, so they dropped them and went to Schweiss Doors. The Schweiss hydraulic hangar door opens wide for this Learjet and many other aircraft to enter the Aviation Technology Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. The door is 58.2' x 19.5' and is equipped with photo eye sensors, wind pins, warning lights and horns.
The school district's FAA-approved aviation program began classes in its new facility compliments of the passage of a $3.5 million referendum. Students are this school are very fortunate - there are currently only three such high school aviation programs in the nation.
The schools new 100 ft. x 96 ft. hangar is equipped with a 58 ft. x 19.5 ft. custom-made hydraulic one-piece hangar door. The door is equipped with electric photo eye sensors, manual windpins, warning lights and horns.
Tim Harmer, the aviation instructor at the school said there was outstanding support to keep this program going and the only way to do that was to build a new hangar equipped with all the necessary learning tools and aircraft for students to graduate.
The program is important to keep the district's aviation program alive because it gives students who don't wish to pursue a typical four-year collegiate career after high school the chance to prepare for a career in technical work. It gives students high school credits and students in the pilot class a chance to earn up to 44 college credits; up to 72 hours in the flight simulator and a potential to save at least $7,000 of education expenses. What this can amount to is three-fourths of their associates degree and A&P Mechanics License before they graduate from high school.
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I said these guys don't have engineers that know what they are doing. I said you guys are probably another $6,000 above and if you screw this door bid up it will cost you 10 times over to fix it. Then I had Schweiss Doors run it through for us and they doubled the strength of what we originally had. Within two weeks we had a shop drawing from Schweiss and by the time the project was ready Schweiss had their door in place.
Mark Thiessen, Architect
Angelo Architectural Associates
Urbandale, Iowa
Schweiss Doors wasn't the school's first pick. They were originally involved another door manufacturer that failed to deliver what was needed. Looking at the shop drawings, an engineer surmised that it wouldn't allow the door to be opened. With only two months remaining, they were sent some stuff that failed to outline what the architects needed. Finally, the general contractor and architect conducted a conference call with the door engineer's and this is where Schweiss Doors came into the picture.
Mark Thiessen, Principal Architect at Angelo Architectural in Urbandale didn't like what the other door manufacturer was pushing.
"I said these guys don't have engineers that know what they are doing. I said you guys are probably another $6,000 above and if you screw this door bid up it will cost you 10 times over to fix it. Then I had Schweiss Doors run it through for us and they doubled the strength of what we originally had. Within two weeks we had a shop drawing from Schweiss and by the time the project was ready Schweiss had their door in place."
Harmer noted that he had known about Schweiss Doors after being around general aviation for over 30 years. He always like the simplicity and the quiet running of the Schweiss hydraulic door and pushed for Schweiss to complete the hangar door order.
The program currently has 72 students and eight adults. Out of 72 students two are girls. They have also become the Women in Aviation Chapter for Iowa. It gives exposure to people in the community of aviation and scholarships available to women.
Students can start off in ninth grade in the Discovery program. Then they get to decide and figure out do they want to go down the track of being a mechanic or down the track of being a pilot. Currently there is an equal divide when it comes to students wanting to go into the mechanics side of the industry or pursuing being a licensed pilot. Because the program is federally funded, it also has to be open to adults; their oldest student is 71.
The outstanding high school academy has a hangar full of aircraft that include a Bell "Huey" AH-1 Cobra helicopter, OH58 Jet Ranger Helicopter, Learjet Model 35A, Mitsubishi MU2 twin-engine turboprop, a Stinson and Cessna 172RG and a Cessna 310.
Public streets had to be closed down in order to transport numerous aircraft from the Des Moines Airport to their new location at the Des Moines Aviation Academy's new 100' x 96' hangar.
Architect Mark Thiessen was instrumental in recommending that the school district change to Schweiss Doors as a more reputable manufacturer. Within two weeks Schweiss provided shop drawings, doubled the strength of the door and delivered it shortly thereafter.
The Schweiss 19.5' tall hydraulic door gives ample clearance for the tail section of this Learjet to enter the hangar. When opened the large door also provides a nice shaded canopy and often is left open during class times.
Minnesota aerial mancave opens with 50 ft. Schweiss hydraulic door
People and pilots who visit Harlan Rohner's Willmar, Minnesota hangar have to be pretty envious of its contents and its big 50 ft. x 18 ft. hydraulic Schweiss door.
At an early age, Harlan Rohner fulfilled his dream about being a pilot one day. When his new hangar was built, he wanted nothing more than a Schweiss hydraulic door on it. He had Schweiss Doors install a 50 ft. x 18 ft. door that gives him ample headroom to hangar his planes, helicopter and other mancave toys.
Inside his 11,150 sq. ft hangar are an Enstrom 280FX Shark helicopter, ultralight, Piper Cherokee and a Kitfox experimental plane equipped with floats so he can land and take off at an adjacent lake. Add to that, a number of snowmobiles, ATVs, boats, motorcycle and a shiny Corvette.
Rohner decided to place the compact hydraulic pump, that operates the cylinders and door, out of sight above the rafters. A remote opener on the door enables him to open or close the door from inside his aircraft or vehicle. The door has three 3.5 ft. x 2.5 ft. windows that bring natural light into the hangar. The hangar is also equipped with an in-floor heating system and the floor is coated to shine like a brand-new dime.
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When you buy a Schweiss door you are purchasing a door that will last a lifetime - Schweiss hydraulic doors are built with thicker metal; you won't ever have to replace it. Schweiss Doors sent me a blueprint showing how I needed to reinforce my rafters and he talked to my contractor to make sure he was on board so the door could be installed correctly. I had Schweiss do a custom paint job on the doorframe to match the color on my building.
Harlan Rohner, pilot
Willmar, Minnesota
His decision to choose a Schweiss hydraulic door didn't just come on a whim. He scouted out several doors and decided on a Schweiss door because he was impressed at how well the door was robustly engineered.
"I had Schweiss do a custom paint job on the doorframe to match the color on his building. Jeremy at Schweiss Doors sent me a blueprint showing how I needed to reinforce my rafters and he talked to my contractor to make sure he was on board to install the door correctly. When you buy a Schweiss door you are purchasing a door that will last a lifetime - you won't ever have to replace it," said Rohner.
Rohner grew up with flying and the outdoors in his blood. He said that at a very young age he used to watch planes fly over his house and couldn't wait for the day when he could be up there flying. His first adventure in flight took place when he took an umbrella of his dad's tractor and ran off a haystack using the umbrella to glide down to the ground.
He's now a seasoned pilot, who figures he has chalked up close to 4,000 air hours. At one time he ran a dealership for Quicksilver ultralight aircraft, and he is licensed to give ultralight flying lessons. He still finds time to repair ultralight engines that come into his shop from all over the United States. He taught himself how to fly his first ultralight in 1980.
He has always been a top-rated mechanic. He built a hydraulic cart that he can attach to a skid loader to bring his floatplane in and out of the water. He also built an electric cart that he lands his helicopter on to wheel it in and out of his hangar. He has been known to build his own customized snowmobiles and motorcycles and has an established snowmobile parts and accessories business and motorcycle and salvage business.
As a 17-year-old teenager he began collecting snowmobiles of all kinds and vintages. He now has a museum open to the public that has over 700 snowmobiles. He likes to show off his 1996. Arctic Cat ZRT 600 that he shaped by his own design from parts. The Cat has a 1,200cc engine and chrome carburetors and was once featured as a story in the Wall Street Journal. He clocked a radar racing speed of 123 mph on it, a speed very fast for the time.
"It was a pleasure dealing with Schweiss Doors," said Rohner. They did everything they said to meet my expectations and more. That included the Schweiss door installers who came out and had my door up and running in just one day. That's the kind of service that puts a smile on your face!"
Rohner's 80 ft. x 152 ft. in-floor heated hangar has turned into a mancave big enough to store all his fun stuff. He likes the 50' Schweiss hydraulic door because it provides a nice shaded canopy when open. When Rohner feels 'the need for speed,' he has a good selection of big boy toys to choose from.
Siding on the exterior of the hydraulic Schweiss door and three well-spaced windows match the rest of Rohner's big hangar.
Rohner earned his wings in a Piper Cherokee before graduating into helicopters. His Kitfox experimental plane sits behind a set of floats that can be used on both aircraft at his nearby lake.
Schweiss hydraulic doors open wide without giving up any headroom. It's a favorite for many pilots and farmers who appreciate the shaded canopy it provides when wide open.
One of Rohner's favorite aircraft to fly is the Enstrom 280FX helicopter. He was a self-taught ultralight pilot and is also a licensed ultralight flight instructor, which takes him to different locations across the United States.
Rohner tucked the hydraulic doors compact pump that operates his doors large cylinders, out of the way and above his ceiling. He also has remote openers that can be used from inside his aircraft or vehicles.
Rohner's foam insulated hydraulic door seals well in all types of weather. He plans to put a liner over the inside of his spray-foamed insulated door.
