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Hangar options in the Seattle area

S

Sparrowhwk

Well Known Member
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Hello PNW folk,
I am currently considering a move to the greater Seattle area. At this point we are not sure exactly where we will need to live - that will depend on job location, which is still to be determined.
I have an RV-8 and when this move becomes definite (probably within the next few months), I will need to decide what to do with the aircraft. We anticipate moving in December '26 or January '27.
I currently own a T-hangar in Arizona so I could keep the RV there temporarily, but that would not be an option for very long and getting back to exercise the aircraft would be difficult.
So I am wondering what the hangar options are in the greater Seattle area. Obviously the further away we live from the hangar, the more difficult it will be to use the plane - but I am interested in any and all options in the greater Seattle area so that I have some idea when we have more clarity on our housing location.
Any local knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
Feel free to chime in with tips regarding operating in the PNW - I expect to need a "Drybot" etc.
Thank you
 
Without knowing what part of "greater Seattle" you're talking about, it's tough to know where to point you. In general though, hangars are pretty tough to come by at most of the airports that are within a reasonable commute for someone living near the city. You'll see some come up for sale though, so if you have deep enough pockets to buy, that's a possibility. I'm just finishing up my build and have been on a waitlist for about 3 years at Harvey (Snohomish) - it sounds like I may be near the top of the list around the 4 year mark. Harvey does tend to have carports available more often though, so that might be an easier immediate option for you. From what I've gathered, 4+ years for a waitlist is not out of the ordinary at most airports around the area. If you live on the North side of the city, you're likely looking at Harvey or Paine. If you actually live North outside of the city, you could look at Arlington or Skagit. Those are quite a ways North, but again, just depends on where you live. If you end up on the South side of Seattle or down by Tacoma, you could consider something like Auburn, Tacoma Narrows, Thun, or Enumclaw. Regardless, buckle up for likely being in for a fairly long wait for an actual hangar, no matter where you go.
 
skelrad said:
Without knowing what part of "greater Seattle" you're talking about, it's tough to know where to point you. In general though, hangars are pretty tough to come by at most of the airports that are within a reasonable commute for someone living near the city. You'll see some come up for sale though, so if you have deep enough pockets to buy, that's a possibility. I'm just finishing up my build and have been on a waitlist for about 3 years at Harvey (Snohomish) - it sounds like I may be near the top of the list around the 4 year mark. Harvey does tend to have carports available more often though, so that might be an easier immediate option for you. From what I've gathered, 4+ years for a waitlist is not out of the ordinary at most airports around the area. If you live on the North side of the city, you're likely looking at Harvey or Paine. If you actually live North outside of the city, you could look at Arlington or Skagit. Those are quite a ways North, but again, just depends on where you live. If you end up on the South side of Seattle or down by Tacoma, you could consider something like Auburn, Tacoma Narrows, Thun, or Enumclaw. Regardless, buckle up for likely being in for a fairly long wait for an actual hangar, no matter where you go.
Click to expand...
If possible north or mid Seattle area, I'd look into Arlington, KAWO
mg
 
My son & his wife live up there, and it's beautiful country. But you don't want to leave an RV outside in that climate. If you can't find an available hanger in the next six months, there may be another RV-er that would be interested in splitting their existing hangar with you. I've been sharing a T-hangar with another RV-7 driver since my plane was completed. We had to make a scale drawing of the hangar and then scale Van's drawings of the RV-7 to fit, then play with all the various ways they could each go in and out. It was kind of tricky keeping in mind where the pivots points are (I can hear Ross Geller saying, "PIVOT...PIVOT". We eventually found a procedure that worked on paper--and it actually worked in real life as well. All those years of drafting and engineering school finally paid off! It's a mild inconvenience compared to pulling straight in and out, but it saves each of us some serious cash.

Based on what I've seen housing costs are in the SEA-TAC area, I'm guessing the hangars are proportionately high as well. You might try posting here to see if anyone could split a hangar and see if you get any nibbles. Even if it's a short-term solution.

And it hasn't been too long that I saw someone was posting a house for sale at a runway community on the east side of Seattle. As I recall, it was well over a million and a half, but that's an option, too.
 
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