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Airport History
Like many American dreams of the 1940's, Portsmouth Airport (now "Hampton Roads Executive Airport" "HREA") was conceived by the GI Bill. A group of local investors, including pilot businessman Captain Henry Pascale, took advantage of the GI Bill of Rights, which provided for payment of flying lessons for GI's returning from war.Capt. Pascale was a graduate of the University of Nebraska law school and a veteran of World War I. He was a bomber pilot (biplane). His tie to this area is traced to Langley Field, where he was stationed in the 1930's. While assigned to Langley Field, he met and married Frances Abbot, a schoolteacher from Newport News. Capt. Pascal would continue to figure prominently in the history of the airport for years. Unfortunately, the airport business was not profitable for the original group of investors and the operation was shut down and a foreclosure auction was scheduled. Protecting his financial investment, Capt Pascale attended the auction and, ultimately, was the high bidder, purchasing the airport (less than 200 acres) for $25,000. At that time, the airport had 3 grass runways and gravel roads and a few light aircraft (Piper Cubs and Aeronicas) were based on site. For decades, the airport continued to service private pilots and general aviation.
Pilot businessmen, Steve Fox and Andy Gibbs, the principals of Virginia Aviation Associates, L.L.C., bought the airport through bankruptcy proceedings in May 2000. Now consisting of 230 acres, improved with 2 paved runways, various taxiways, 100 T-hangars, 13 corporate hangars and 2 office/terminal buildings, HREA ranks in the top three busiest non-military airports in Virginia. With 210-based aircraft, HREA is currently designated as a reliever airport for Norfolk International Airport. Fox and Gibbs are committed to airport growth and improvement. Their plans include acquisition of land to expand the existing runway to 5500 feet with associated taxiways, a new terminal building, self-service fueling operation, upgrades to hangars and the construction of additional hangars. Their goal is to turn HREA into a model for privately owned general aviation airports.
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More than 60 years later, the airport would again face hardships, and would again be revived by pilot businessmen. Owned by a developer with no interest in aviation, airport improvements were postponed and when the owner faced serious medical issues, the airport was forced into bankruptcy.