b'40 PVG GENERAL AVIATION Private Owner DevelopsHampton Roads Executive Airport BY MICHELLE GARDNERWhen Hampton Roads Airport (PVG)by promptly changing the airports name to Hampton Roads in Chesapeake, VA, went on theExecutive. One year later, they bought 404 more acres for $4.2 market through a bankruptcy auction,million to cement their vision of establishing an airport that would most people saw a tract of marshy land witheventually accommodate turbine aircraft and become a general old runways and a few rickety buildings. Butaviation reliever for Norfolk International Airport (ORF), about 20 Steven Fox and two other principals of Virginiamiles to the northeast.Aviation Associates LLC saw the chance toFox ultimately bought out one of the other two principals of preserve a historic airfield and develop it intoSTEVEN FOX Virginia Aviation Associates (his father, Jack Fox) and survived the something even better. early passing of his friend, helicopter instructor and third partner, In May 2000, the trio purchased the 60-year-old general aviationDavid A. Andy Gibbs. Steven Fox became majority owner with airport for $2.3 million. Since then, a flurry of improvements worthhis wife, Bee, a retired assistant city attorney for Virginia Beach about $80 million has occurred, including construction of a newwho now supervises marketing for the airport and works with its terminal, a runway with full parallel taxiway, and several hangars. law firm. Son Luke serves as director of finance and managing Although his career was in real estate, Fox is no stranger toengineer. aviation or entrepreneurship as a third-generation pilot following his grandfather and father, who were both aviators and food companyA Real Fixer Upperexecutives. Fox and his partners were not in the market to buy anFor 60 years, PVG only served piston-powered aircraft. Now, the airport, but serendipity came calling when they were asked to helpgoal was to create an executive airport for turbine aircraft, turbine settle PVGs assets. A shared love of aviation and a desire to saveaircraft management companies, Part 135 operators and associated the airport inspired the trio of associates to purchase PVG. Thereperipheral companies. But the old 4,000-foot runway was not long wasnt much on the wet 230 acrestwo runways without lightingenough for such traffic. Most of the turbine aircraft Fox aspired to or an instrument landing system and a few tenants, includingattract require at least 5,000 feet. We knew we needed that new Backus Aerial Photography, which has been at the airport sincerunway, emphasizes Fox. 1955 and remains there today. But the parcel was near four mainThe fledgling airport also needed a fuel farm, hangars, office highways, a major seaport and a larger international airport. Inbuildings and a terminal. We went to both state and federal agencies short, the three partners saw potential.to tell our story about growing the airport, and they educated us very The vision was to create an airport for private and corporatequickly on what financial help was available, Fox recalls. aircraft operators, and the new owners signaled their intentions November | December 2024AirportImprovement.com'