b'HANGARSTRK49explains. I had been calling around for about a year looking for aModernizing the Processdigital data solution platform. Pilots have long used online forums, ad boards and, more recently, social media to find available hangars for upcoming trips. But finding Airport Development Meets Software Development space for unplanned stays during severe weather or maintenance Persistence paid dividends at the Association ofcrises is still often difficult and time-consuming. Moreover, traditional California Airports conference, where Menascooptions dont execute reservations. met with Cory Cozzens, chief executive officerAltaports system is designed to connect transient aircraft of Altaport. Menasco sought out Cozzenswith empty hangars in transactions facilitated and managed by because his company develops software to helpthe airport. Much like home rental sites such as Airbnb, it works general aviation airports, heliports and vertiportsin real time. In addition, the platform automates some of the manage transient operations. Cozzens wasadministrative work that would otherwise fall to airport staff, such already familiar with TRK because a decadeCORY COZZENS as tracking the schedules of incoming and outgoing aircraft, prior, he helped bring in Surf Air to provideoptimizing space allocation with designated hangars and collecting service between San Carlos Airport (SQL) and TRK.rental fees. At the October 2024 conference, Menasco asked whetherGiven its vested interest in the concept, TRK provided a nominal Altaport could provide an Airbnb-type solution for hangar rentalsfee to support initial software development and became the by Dec. 1, and Cozzens wasnt spooked by the quick developmentlaunch customer for a new component in Altaports software suite. timetable. We were excited to support TRK, as this was a naturalTruckee was a great design partner, Cozzens remarks.extension to solutions we were already offering, and an obvious way to provide value to both airports and operators alike,Tenants at TRK interested in making their hangars available for Cozzens explains.short-term occupancy must sign a lease addendum because all Just 90 days later, TRK had its first booking through newhangars on the field are owned by the airport district, and rental Altaport software.contracts do not allow subletting. Menasco describes the process as very easy and compares it to a timeshare agreement. Tenants The online process was immediately a significant improvement.enjoy helping the general aviation community and reducing their Previously, airport staff used a whiteboard to manage short-termown rental fees, he adds. hangar rentals, and customers could only book the day theyCozzens describes the revenue sharing arrangement between arrived. We had no prior reservation systemvery old-school,TRK and tenants as mutually beneficial and reports strong interest Menasco relates.from other airports and state Departments of Transportation about this program.AirportImprovement.comSeptember 2025'