AeroDoor Installs Unidirectional Hangar Door at Hickory Airport Facility

Design & Fabrication, Unloading, Door Installation, Electrical Installation, Owner Training

AeroDoor recently completed the design, manufacture, installation, commissioning, and operator training for a custom hangar door at the newly opened aircraft hangar at Hickory Regional Airport in Hickory, North Carolina. The new hangar, developed by the City of Hickory in partnership with Burke County, provides 12,000 square feet of group hangar space along with a 3,000-square-foot office complex, expanding the airport’s capacity to serve local aviation needs and support regional economic growth.

Engineered for Operational Efficiency and Environmental Control

Serving as the aircraft access point for the facility, the hangar was outfitted with an AeroDoor-engineered unidirectional sliding door system. Key attributes of the door and installation include:

  • Clear Opening: 90 feet wide × 28 feet tall.
  • Unidirectional Operation: All door leaves slide to one side into a dedicated pocket within the building wall, maximizing usable hangar space and streamlining aircraft movements.
  • Panel Configuration: The door consists of five steel door leaves, each 18 feet wide × 28 feet tall, on 5 embedded door tracks.
  • Powered Controls: The door operates via an electric drive system with push-button dead-man controls located on the inside of the leading edge leaf for intuitive and safe use.
AeroDoor Hangar at Hickory Regional Airport
AeroDoor Hangar at Hickory Regional Airport
AeroDoor Hangar at Hickory Regional Airport
Open Hangar Door
Open Hangar Door
Hangar Door opening ceremony
Hangar Door opening ceremony
Helicopter in front of hangar door
Helicopter in front of hangar door

Enhanced Seal and Bird Deterrence

To improve environmental sealing and help mitigate one of the most common operational challenges at general aviation facilities, AeroDoor built this door three inches taller than the nominal opening it serves. This intentional over-height construction:

  • Provides a superior top seal when the door is closed.
  • Minimizes gaps that can allow birds to enter the hangar, helping to reduce bird and wildlife intrusion issues into the aircraft hangar.

Birds and other pests are a frequent concern at hangars, and a tighter seal helps protect valuable aircraft and equipment while maintaining a cleaner, safer interior environment.

Full Turnkey Delivery

AeroDoor’s role on this project spanned the full lifecycle of the door system. The company provided:

  • Door engineering and detailed shop drawings.
  • In-house manufacture of the hangar door.
  • On-site installation.
  • System commissioning and performance testing.
  • Owner training to ensure safe, efficient operation for airport personnel.

This comprehensive involvement ensured the door not only met all performance expectations but integrated seamlessly with the building and the hangar’s operational workflows.

Supporting Growth at Hickory Regional Airport

The new hangar, celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2025, represents a meaningful investment in local aviation infrastructure. It accommodates expanding operations for existing tenants and frees up space in other facilities, allowing Hickory Regional Airport to welcome additional aircraft and further contribute to the regional economy.

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