11/18/2022
Not to 'unsell' a hangar, but my two cents (or more) on tie down vsd hangar:
BACK THEN
Pre 1980's, one of the main reasons airplanes were (mostly) painted white was that color faded the slowest outdoors. Anything with pigment would fade rapidly.
Interiors and early Plexiglas would also fade and become brittle from UV over time.
Discrete electronic components used in avionics were reactive to high or low temperatures outside their limited temp specs.
NOWADAYS
When was the last time you saw a modern car with faded paint or interior?
Modern paint (20+ years) has 'sunglasses' (UV) protection built into its chemistry.
Interior materials are far more UV stable.
Modern Plexiglas is made from natural gas and is essentially inert, even to UV.
What used to be 'mil spec' temp ranges for discrete electronic components is now far far exceeded by common chip-based avionics.
In other words, being on tie down does not 'beat up' airplanes with modern paint, interior of avionics much at all.
The only real negatives are occasional snow or frost on the wings in the morning, and more exposure to moisture if the airplane is leaky. As to humidity, ambient dewpoint is ambient dewpoint. A hangar may be a bit drier inside but neither does it dry out in the sun.
VALUE YOUR OWN TIME
'Marginal utility' is the economists' term for 'value' of a thing or service.
In addition to the fun factor and a new challenge, part of the reason (rationale) you are considering an airplane is to save time.
If you can, try to base your airplane where you can get to it reasonably quickly.
Of course, I prefer Potomac Airfield (!).
But in fairness, look at where you work, live and play, and plan accordingly.
If it takes an hour (or more) just to get to the airplane, the airplane is less valuable to you. And remember, travel time doubles, Out AND back.
If my 337 was an hour or two away, I would probably sell it.
HATTERAS ROUND TRIP
For 20+ years we had a house next to the Billy Mitchell airfield in Hatteras. Ahhh, the life. Driving to Hatteras was 7 hours each way, vs 1.5 flying in my 337. But, rememeber, we also had to come home. Actual travel time to/from Hatteras was either 15 hours in a car vs 3 by airplane. Now calculate the hours making 20+ round trips each year. 300 hours by car vs 60 by air. That is 10 FULL DAYS I get back by flying. Or, If I only count time awake, closer to TWO WEEKS of awake time I got back every year by flying.
Another simple analogy: Imagine you currently do NOT own an airplane, and your only choice is to buy one of two identical airplanes somehow forcibly based at two different airports: One aircraft is 15 minutes from home, the other over an hour away.
What premium would you pay to own the closer of the two identical aircraft? Don't undervalue the 'pleasantness' of one airport or the other, either! That 'price' difference you are willing to pay is exactly the value you place on your own time, the increased marginal value of the airplane being closer to you IS the value you place on saving your own time getting to it.
DENVER ROUND TRIP
Another personal example: I estimate in my 337 it will take around 7-8 hours flight time to Denver area (KAPA) from Potomac (KVKX). I live only 15 minutes from the airport and from home there are no lines or variables getting to Potomac. AND even better, I don't have to worry the airplane leaving without us!
The commercial flight time is only 4 hours DCA to DIA. Now add 2-3 hours in advance to DCA, to be assured of being ahead of the variables of enroute traffic/accidents, parking at DCA, security lines. On arriving at DIA add another 45 mins to an hour to walk from the arrival jetway to the little train to the main terminal then hike to the bus to the rental car.
The actual commercial travel time of a 4 hour flight becomes 7-8 hours to destination. About the same order of magnitude as the 337, but a lot less stressful (which increases the marginal utility). A higher cost for fuel (which decreases the marginal utility), and dealing with 'flying' vs riding through weather (which either decreases or increases the marginal utility of the 337, depending on whether or not the flight is fun or a chore).
Have fun. Make good decisions. Enjoy life!
