Company President Says Aloha to Steel Hangar

Hawaii is known as a tropical paradise, with blue skies filled with sunshine. Anthony Ferrara knows those skies well, both from the ground and among the clouds.

As the president of ATMOS, Inc., an environmental consulting company based in Kapolei, HI, he has had cause to use the company’s aircraft—a Commander 112, which is an American four-seat cabin single piston-engine monoplane.

Ferrara is also responsible for leasing a small space inside of a large hangar from the State of Hawaii to store the company’s plane. Over time, the state’s hanger proved to be lacking in some respects.

"A wind storm destroyed the cover and damaged the aircraft," says Ferrara. "Too much bird poop, paint overspray, and then the wind damage convinced me that I needed additional protection."

He decided that a steel building was the best option, bearing the cost and the lifespan of the building in mind.

"I also wanted the option to be able to move the building outside and still have the plane protected."

In April of 2011, Ferrara chose to purchase a hanger that met these requirements from SteelMaster Buildings in Virginia Beach, VA.

For more than 29 years, SteelMaster Buildings has manufactured, designed, and supplied pre-fabricated arched steel structures to 40,000 customers located in every state of the United States, in 40 countries, and on seven continents around the world.

"SteelMaster aircraft hangars provide clear span buildings that are both economical and durable, making our steel structures world-renowned in the field of aviation," says Michelle Wickum, the director of marketing for the company. "The unique design of our metal buildings allows spans up to 150 feet in width, with unlimited lengths. With no need for interior supports, you can maximize the use of the space. Whether you have a single, twin engine, or commercial jet, SteelMaster steel buildings can accommodate your needs."

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Ferrara maximized his cost-savings potential on the building because there was no need to hire a contractor to construct the building—he is in the process of doing it himself, with help.

"It’s not hard or labor intensive—there are just many bolts," says Ferrara, who anticipates adding lights, plugs, an office desk, refrigerator, and work tables to the hangar. "So far it looks good and everyone around says that it was the right thing to do. In fact, there are a few others that are looking at putting up their own. For the price, delivered to Hawaii, it was a great deal."

Wickum says that most SteelMaster customers assemble and raise the arches to complete the construction of their airplane hangar without a contractor.

"Each of our steel buildings comes with an easy-to-read and detailed construction manual to aid in the construction," says Wickum. "A SteelMaster Building Specialist and our Customer Service Representatives are also available should our customers have any questions during any phase of the assembly process."

Once Ferrara has his building completely built, Wickum says that there will be no need for him to worry about the wind damaging the building or his aircraft.

"Our steel hangars provide security and durability against things like fire, snow, and hurricane-force winds," says Wickum. "Not only are SteelMaster buildings made with heavy gauge commercial grade steel and individually built to meet the wind loads of their destination, but they also come with a 30-year warranty backed by its factory and the ArcelorMittal Dofasco steel mill."

In addition to airplane hangars, SteelMaster’s steel and metal pre-engineered buildings are designed for a broad range of residential and commercial applications including homes, farm buildings, garages, workshops, agricultural storage, Quonsets, RV storage, roofing systems, carports, military buildings, commercial warehousing, and industrial storage as well as a wide variety of custom building applications including athletic facilities, retail stores, churches, bus stops, smoke shacks, doggie dorms, and correctional facilities.