Monolithic Dome Airplane Hangars and the Invention of the Hangar Door
![Rendering of a small Monolithic Dome hangar with lateral door used for a private jet. Millions of dollars are spent on private jets and corporate air travel yet these planes are often stored in hangars incapable of protecting the planes during violent weather. A Monolithic Dome hangar is a tiny price to pay to protect a multi-million dollar investment.](/vault/img/2014/05/01/5362a14d1043cc4422000001/medium/monojet.jpg)
Rendering of a small Monolithic Dome hangar with lateral door used for a private jet. Millions of dollars are spent on private jets and corporate air travel yet these planes are often stored in hangars incapable of protecting the planes during violent weather. A Monolithic Dome hangar is a tiny price to pay to protect a multi-million dollar investment. (Rick Crandall)
![Huge Monolithic Dome hangars are capable of protecting even the largest jets including the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and even the Air Force C5 cargo jet.](/vault/img/2014/05/01/5362a13d1043ccf6ad000006/medium/hangars_combined.jpg)
Huge Monolithic Dome hangars are capable of protecting even the largest jets including the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and even the Air Force C5 cargo jet.
![The military fighter F-35 fits easily in a small Monolithic Dome. The Monolithic Dome is resistant to more than just hurricanes and tornadoes.](/vault/img/2014/05/01/5362a9bf1043ccf6ad000013/medium/140318_F-35_Hangar_80_.jpg)
The military fighter F-35 fits easily in a small Monolithic Dome. The Monolithic Dome is resistant to more than just hurricanes and tornadoes.
![The Monolithic Dome have withstood bombings without failing. If F-35 aircraft were stored individually in domes, they would be protected from damage if one building were somehow punctured.](/vault/img/2014/07/02/53b473ce1043cc8e52000001/medium/140523_f-35_hangar_1.jpg)
The Monolithic Dome have withstood bombings without failing. If F-35 aircraft were stored individually in domes, they would be protected from damage if one building were somehow punctured.
![A 40-foot diameter hangar affordably houses personal aircraft. It’s useful both for storage and as a cool, clean environment for maintaining aircraft.](/vault/img/2014/05/01/5362a9801043cc2b06000002/medium/40x20_040105_jlb_stearman_hangar.jpg)
A 40-foot diameter hangar affordably houses personal aircraft. It’s useful both for storage and as a cool, clean environment for maintaining aircraft.
![A Boeing 747-400 fits easily inside a 300-foot diameter hangar. Note how the wide wings and long body shape fits naturally inside circular footprint. A hangar this size can house many other smaller aircraft around the edges and can include offices, mechanics stations, and large machinery to maintain the jumbo jet.](/vault/img/2014/05/01/5362a9991043ccf6ad00000c/medium/300x120_030909_jlb_747_hangars.jpg)
A Boeing 747-400 fits easily inside a 300-foot diameter hangar. Note how the wide wings and long body shape fits naturally inside circular footprint. A hangar this size can house many other smaller aircraft around the edges and can include offices, mechanics stations, and large machinery to maintain the jumbo jet.