DALLESPORT — Private developer planecave, in a public/private partnership with the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport (KDLS), announced the upcoming addition of two T-hangar buildings, “enhancing the general aviation infrastructure and meeting the needs of pilots and aircraft owners in the region. The construction of these new hangars, which is nearly complete, marks a significant milestone in the airport’s commitment to providing top-tier facilities and services to the aviation community.”
Scheduled adjacent to the existing T-hangar rows, the new buildings will comprise a total of 18 individual T-hangar units, aimed at individual general aviation aircraft owners. Rental reservation applications are already being accepted by planecave at www.planecave.com.
“We are thrilled to announce these new T-hangar facilities, which represent a substantial investment in the future of the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport and the broader aviation community,” says Thomas Richter, one of planecave’s principals. “This project will not only expand the capacity to accommodate more aircraft but also provide pilots and owners with an affordable storage solution at a time when hangars are hard to come by.”
The project goes hand-in-hand with the airport’s objectives to further commercial aviation and adjacent business park development. “More airplanes means more maintenance business, more fuel sales, more infrastructure. This is good for everyone,” said Richter.
T-hangars are in high demand all across the nation due to a general lack of public funds for their construction. Developer planecave was founded by pilots Steve Jordan and Thomas Richter with the goal to address this shortage. They aim to bring private capital to a segment of aviation-related real estate assets that have so far been overlooked by investors.
“Hangars are a great long-term, hands-off investment asset. Imagine self-storage on steroids and you get plane hangars. Pilots never give them up. They’re low maintenance. And waitlists are years-long all across the country. It’s an investor’s dream property,” said Jordan.
Construction was delayed by recent changes in the incoming federal government, particularly rule changes and layoffs within the Small Business Administration which facilitated the financing of the hangars. In addition, cost of materials rose significantly in the first quarter of 2025 due to import tariffs, placing further challenges on the progress.
“It’s been a long road, but we’re close to completion despite all the wrenches thrown at everyone in construction and financing. We’re fortunate to have great partners in the City and the County, as well as local contractors who worked hard to make it all happen,” said Jordan.
Final completion date for the first building is slated to be late July, with the second building about a month after that.
Commented