Virginia Airports

[jrwilson]

I’ll be moving to Virginia in a couple years and am hoping to get an idea of some good airports to base my Mooney.  I was thinking the Petersburg or Chester area but really I’d just like to be within 2 hours driving of Williamsburg, but not right in Williamsburg  (daughter will be going to college there, and she probably won’t want us right there…) so I’m pretty open to any ideas.  Hopefully I can get a hangar before I move.   Any ideas?

Edited yesterday at 03:58 AM by jrwilson

[Hank]

Is nothing available at KJGG, Williamsburg? Norfolk isn't too far away, either.

It may be beneficial to fly in and talk to people at the airport, that's how I found a shared spot at my last two bases. Actually, I've owned my Mooney since 2007, and except for 2 years, I've always shared a hangar with at least one other plane. Box hangars are nice!

[jrwilson]

9 minutes ago, Hank said:

Is nothing available at KJGG, Williamsburg? Norfolk isn't too far away, either.

It may be beneficial to fly in and talk to people at the airport, that's how I found a shared spot at my last two bases. Actually, I've owned my Mooney since 2007, and except for 2 years, I've always shared a hangar with at least one other plane. Box hangars are nice!

Sorry, edited my post.  Williamsburg itself will probably be too close to the school, she will want some distance I’m sure :)

[AJ88V]

You may want to start by looking for hangars! 

2 hours drive gives you a pretty huge radius.  Heck, even my home field (and soon to be new hometown) of Culpeper is a two hour drive.  KCJR is by far the best airport I've ever been at - super strong aviation community and just  a lovely airport. But, not sure you want or need to be that far away.

Going directly north of Richmond is NOT a good idea.  Distance would meet your criteria, but route I95 north of Richmond is a total mess given time of day.  While there are some super neighborhoods in Richmond proper (serious classic charm), the town itself is kind of rough in many areas, but there is a lot to do there, restaurants, the University, etc.  Also cutting edge medical with the VCU medical school.

Williamsburg is actually pretty far east (nice area, BTW).  Coastal VA can get very crowded, but can also be quite affordable depending upon where you're coming from.  So look direct south along the coast or southwest.  Petersburg is a lovely town and has that strong Southern identity (in a good way), plus easy access to all the good things Richmond has to offer.

You could also easily go to North Carolina with a 2 hour driving radius.  Many great towns, also cheap cost of living, and the further south you go, the warmer it will generally be in winter.  Summers will be about the same, hot and muggy and the temps in NC don't typically look worse that Richmond/Norfolk/Williamsburg or DC for that matter.

If aviation is meant to be a big part of your life, recommend you draw a 2 hour drive circle and then start making a flying tour to see what the fields are like.  Make finding a hangar and driving distance to the airport a major priority, as I suspect you'll be visiting the airport way more often than driving to see your daughter.  Look online to learn what really happens at those airports.  Honestly, that's why I'm moving to Culpeper.  Look at the hangar waitlist and cost.  Figure out what other things you want (restaurants, museums, medical, social societies, etc.).  A lot of options, but you're looking in great areas for retirement.

Hope this helps.

[jrwilson]

54 minutes ago, AJ88V said:

You may want to start by looking for hangars! 

2 hours drive gives you a pretty huge radius.  Heck, even my home field (and soon to be new hometown) of Culpeper is a two hour drive.  KCJR is by far the best airport I've ever been at - super strong aviation community and just  a lovely airport. But, not sure you want or need to be that far away.

Going directly north of Richmond is NOT a good idea.  Distance would meet your criteria, but route I95 north of Richmond is a total mess given time of day.  While there are some super neighborhoods in Richmond proper (serious classic charm), the town itself is kind of rough in many areas, but there is a lot to do there, restaurants, the University, etc.  Also cutting edge medical with the VCU medical school.

Williamsburg is actually pretty far east (nice area, BTW).  Coastal VA can get very crowded, but can also be quite affordable depending upon where you're coming from.  So look direct south along the coast or southwest.  Petersburg is a lovely town and has that strong Southern identity (in a good way), plus easy access to all the good things Richmond has to offer.

You could also easily go to North Carolina with a 2 hour driving radius.  Many great towns, also cheap cost of living, and the further south you go, the warmer it will generally be in winter.  Summers will be about the same, hot and muggy and the temps in NC don't typically look worse that Richmond/Norfolk/Williamsburg or DC for that matter.

If aviation is meant to be a big part of your life, recommend you draw a 2 hour drive circle and then start making a flying tour to see what the fields are like.  Make finding a hangar and driving distance to the airport a major priority, as I suspect you'll be visiting the airport way more often than driving to see your daughter.  Look online to learn what really happens at those airports.  Honestly, that's why I'm moving to Culpeper.  Look at the hangar waitlist and cost.  Figure out what other things you want (restaurants, museums, medical, social societies, etc.).  A lot of options, but you're looking in great areas for retirement.

Hope this helps.

That does help, thank you!  That’s the type of info I’m looking for since I’m in California I really don’t know anything about the specifics of each area in Va.  I had no idea Richmond was rough.  I’ll take a look at culpeper.

[Fritz1]

I am based in KFCI, about 15 miles southwest of Richmond, 5500 ft, ILS, about 1h drive from Williamsburg, wait for T-hangar is about 1 year, Petersburg KPTB is a little closer to Williamsburg, then there is Hampton Roads executive, Franklin, lots of choices. My house and also my office are about 15 min from airport, feels about right. I have lived here for 30 years, reasonably familiar with the area, PM me if you want to talk