General
hangar queen
What does hangar queen mean?
An aircraft so frequently out of service that it sits in the hangar and is cannibalized to keep other aircraft flying.
"That jet's a hangar queen — they've stripped it for parts twice."
Origin
US military aviation slang.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'hangar queen'?
It's an aircraft so frequently out of service that it sits in the hangar and gets cannibalized for parts to keep other aircraft flying.
Why is a broken aircraft called a 'hangar queen'?
Because it 'reigns' in the hangar instead of flying — grounded and picked over for spares while the rest of the fleet stays airborne.
Where does 'hangar queen' come from?
It's US military aviation slang, though the term is also used in civilian aviation for a chronically grounded, high-maintenance aircraft.
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