Rare air: Gordonsville’s airport

Contributed
Published: July 17, 2008

State and local officials met at Gordonsville Municipal Airport Saturday to attend the Gordonsville Airport Preservation Society meeting.
Virginia Department of Aviation Director Randall P. Burdette gave a presentation about the importance of general aviation airports and the contributions of general aviation to the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Director Burdette also presented the six-year plan for Gordonsville Municipal Airport that included plans for repaving and widening the runway and removing runway obstructions.
The audience of about 20 included State Senator Edd Houck, Delegate Ed Scott, and Gordonsville Mayor Robert Coiner. The state and local officials also addressed the group and voiced their support for the Gordonsville Airport and general aviation in the Commonwealth.
The importance of general aviation airports to local economic development was emphasized. One of the first questions heard from a prospective industry or business locating to the county is the status and proximity of airports.
With high fuel prices being felt by major airlines, as well as the inconvenience of security delays to the passenger, small airports will become increasingly valuable in the future as interest in air taxi service increases.
Renewed focus on general aviation is also coming from the new generation of small jets and sport aircraft that are much more affordable and operate on shorter runways.
The Gordonsville Municipal Airport is one of the oldest airports in the state, and has one of the oldest hangars, if not the oldest, still in operation in the entire country.
By contrast, airports in other localities have changed since they first opened; Gordonsville remains the same.
Three businesses currently operate out of the airport - Gordonsville Aero,  (owned by Brent Hall), Dominion Air Services, and Tailwheel Basics, LLC.
They offer pilot instruction and aviation related services.
While owned by the Town of Gordonsville, the airport is actually located in the county and pays taxes to Orange County.
Located on a four-lane highway and adjacent to a rail line, Gordonsville Municipal Airport is conveniently located only a couple of miles from the Orange County Industrial Park, VHPS, Diversified Information Technologies, and Gordonsville industries and businesses.
The location is also convenient to the county’s vineyards and Montpelier, as well as the Shenandoah Crossing resort outside of Gordonsville.
Plans for celebrating the 75th anniversary of the airport are in the beginning stages.