SNOW Props for hangars.

G.Dawes · Post by **G.Dawes** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 8:09 pm

Probably a bit late now but it may be worth making some snow props for your hangar, if it needs it. The weight of the recent fall caused one of ours to collapse and damaging two planes although luckily not seriously. It was a POLYTUNNEL type and was sold as a hangar, It folded in two across the centre hoops and down it came. The bigger hangar was alright but it was calculated as having several tons of weight on it. The depth of snow was 16 inches.
Graham

Bill McCarthy · Post by **Bill McCarthy** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:53 am

I have oft warned about putting aircraft in polytunnels. There are many collapsed skeletons of them (horticultural) in the far north. The clear type subjects an aircraft to extremes of temperature (hot and cold) at this time of year. Any kind of fabric covered structure should be treated as temporary - every gale will leave you worrying whether it will still be there in the morning.

gasax · Post by **gasax** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 8:26 am

To be fair to Polytunnels ours - still standing with the original cover after 15 years - there are Polytunnels and Polytunnels.

Their big advantage in snow is that they tend to shed it. Ours is routinely surrounded by piles of the stuff which has fallen off the top. Early on we used to put props onto two of the middle frames but so long as there is not a flat calm the snow does not build up on it.

In winter it is bar taut and generally has performed very well. The only times it still gives us concern is during summer gales - when the top cover is a lot looser and can thrash about a bit!

G.Dawes · Post by **G.Dawes** » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:41 pm

I repeat the warning as there is a load more snow coming and I do not want to hear of more damage. Stick those poles up in the high point of your hangars, but tie them there at the top to stop them falling over on the planes.