Door Industry Journal - Spring 2015

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk garage doors feature 54 THE door industry journal spring 2015 Commercial Pilot Builds Aircraft Hanger in his own Garden With a little help from Hörmann and Foremost Garage Doors A commercial pilot for a well-known short-haul package holiday airline can now extend his flight time from the comfort of his own home, thanks to garage door manufacturer Hörmann. Mr Henry Brewis, 50, of Bury St. Edmunds has been flying since he was 19, and as such, owns a private four-seater Jabiru aeroplane, which he houses in a purpose-built 105 sq.m cart lodge. As well as Henry’ light aircraft, the cart lodge is also home to plenty of overhead storage and his family’s four cars, which all fit neatly under the Jabiru’s 8.12m wing span. After keeping his plane in a nearby airfield, some 20 minutes drive away, Henry decided it was time to invest in his own personal aircraft hangar. The Brewis’ old listed farmhouse was renovated 20 years ago with the oak-framed cart lodge/garage built in 2014 to an architect’s specifications and Henry’s vision of creating a door opening wide enough to park his beloved plane. Once planning permission had been granted, the structural ground works started in November 2013, but due to wet weather, the building completion was delayed until Spring. With specialist 6x2 lengths of Glulam (laminated timber comprising of strong bonded layers) and locally sourced 9in.sq beams of oak support the roof structure, it took just six weeks to build above ground level from start to finish. When Henry began the specification process, he sourced quotes from commercial door companies, however, he decided they were far too heavy and expensive for domestic use. With a brief for an affordable, attractive garage door to fit a 12m wide opening, he approached a couple of specialists with his unusual request, but unfortunately they could not offer any help or guidance. After a recommendation from a fellow friend, he was introduced to Andy Simmonds at Fore-Most Garage Doors in Ipswich, who was very positive about the proposed challenge, on the proviso that he could source the relevant products from Hörmann, and seek advice from the manufacturer’s domestic engineer and UK resident expert, Alex MacKay.