Private developer planecave, in a public/private partnership with the Columbia Gorge
Regional Airport (KDLS), is proud to announce the forthcoming 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
(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”,
explains 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”, says Jordan.
Construction was delayed by changes in the 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”,
Jordan points out.
Final completion date for the first building is slated to be late July, with the second
building about a month after that.