Flight Research Building
Built in the 1940s, the Flight Research Building (Hangar) is a 65 X 250 ft. heated facility that is large enough to hold numerous aircraft of various sizes. It has been home to many unique and innovative aircraft over the years.
Facility Overview
Home to many unique and innovative aircraft, the Flight Research Building, also known as the NASA Glenn Hangar, is located at NASA Glenn Research Center adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Built in the 1940s, the Hangar is a 65 X 250 ft. heated facility that is large enough to hold numerous aircraft of various sizes.
Inside the Hangar, there is a Flight Operations Administrative Office that is responsible for the daily operations, a pilots lounge, and flight-planning areas. There is also a full-scale metal, battery, and avionics shop. Aircraft Operations at the NASA Glenn Research Center flies, maintains, and modifies numerous aircraft for scientific research and aeronautical test purposes.
Facility Aircraft
Pilatus PC-12NG
The newly acquired 2008 Pilatus PC-12NG aircraft is a versatile platform that is expected to serve NASA’s research community in the years to come. It has a large cargo door to facilitate loading research equipment and racks. The modern avionics suite will provide exceptional situational awareness while flying demanding research profiles.
T-34C Mentor
The T-34C Mentor is a new arrival to the Glenn Research Center, but the employees here are quite familiar with this aircraft. This is a well-built, agile aircraft that is invaluable to Aircraft Operations here at NASA Glenn due to its economic and easy to maneuver form.
Quick Facts
NASA’s Glenn Flight Research Building is located at the NASA Glenn Research Center with aircraft access to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The facility is heated and spacious, 165 feet by 250 feet, and is large enough to hold numerous aircraft of various sizes. The facility houses the T-34C Mentor and Pilatus PC-12NG Aircraft. Aircraft Operations at the NASA Glenn Research Center flies, maintains, and modifies the aircraft listed below for scientific research and aeronautical test purposes.
| Name | Flight Research Building |
|---|---|
| Size: | 165-ft by 250-ft |
| Services: | Oxygen, AC/DC power, fuel |
| Aircraft | Pilatus PC-12NG
T-34 Mentor |
- Take a virtual tour of our Flight Research Building.
- The Flight Research Building is heated and spacious, 165 feet by 250 feet, and is large enough to hold numerous aircraft of various sizes.
- The Flight Research Building, also known as the NASA Glenn Hangar, is located at NASA’s Glenn Research Center adjacent to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.
- The Flight Research Building also contains a full-scale metal, battery and avionics shop.
- The Flight Research Building, better known as the Hangar, was one of seven original buildings completed by 1945 at the newly constructed Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL).
Capabilities
Hangar Services
- Oxygen
- AC/DC power for aircraft
- Fuel through a local FBO
- Tow vehicles and tow bars
Pilatus PC-12NG Capabilities
This multipurpose aircraft can support varying research flight profiles and flies well throughout it speed and altitude range. It has excellent short field capability that opens remote airports not normally accessible by other aircraft in its class. The low operating costs and high cruise speed make it the aircraft of choice for missions that require flights in a wide range of locations around the world.
| Wingspan | 53 ft 4 in |
|---|---|
| Length | 47 ft 3 in |
| Height | 14 ft |
| Powerplants | Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67P flat rated to 1,200 SHP |
| Pilots | 1-2 |
| Researchers | 1-5 |
| Speed Range | 100-270 KIAS |
| Max Range | 1,600 Nautical miles* |
| Duration | 5.5 hours |
| Ceiling | 30,000 ft |
| Gross Weight | 10,450 lbs |
| Payload | @3,000 lbs |
| Electrical Configuration |
Currently 85 amps DC
(Upgradable to accommodate more amperage based on custom |
| Mission Configuration | Spectre lift platform and mission console |
| Communications | HF, VHF, SATCOM |
* Fuel/Crew/Research Equipment and other restrictions may apply.
T-34 Mentor Capabilities
The T-34C Mentor is an economical platform that is especially suited for small sensor flights. It has been used in the past to validate sensors that are planned for unmanned vehicles. The operator has the ability to remotely control the sensor or operate it from the aft seat during flight.
| Wingspan | 33 ft 4 in (10.60 m) |
|---|---|
| Length | 28 ft 6 in (8.75 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 7 in (2.92 m) |
| Powerplants | Pratt and Whitney Canada PT6A-25 Turboprop, 550 shp |
| Pilots | 1 |
| Researchers | 1 |
| Speed Range | 120-200 KIAS |
| Max Range | 550 Nautical miles |
| Duration | 3.0 hours |
| Ceiling | 25,000 ft |
| Gross Weight | 4,400 lb |
| Useful Load | 300 lb* |
| Electrical Configuration 1 |
28 Volts DC: 40 amps |
| Electrical Configuration 2 | 115 Volts AC 60 Hz: 2.5 amps 28 Volts DC: 24 amps |
| View Ports | 4” Diameter Nadir port along bottom centerline |
| Projects | GLESM – Camera Mounted to Baggage Door |
| External Capacity | Fuselage Research Pod |
*Fuel/Crew/Research Equipment and other restrictions may apply.
Contact
Flight Research Building
Chief of Aircraft Operations: James Demers
Office: 216-433-2039
James.R.Demers@nasa.gov
Using Our Facilities
NASA’s Glenn Research Center provides ground test facilities to industry, government, and academia. If you are considering testing in one of our facilities or would like further information about a specific facility or capability, please let us know.
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