News

Study says airports have $29 billion impact on Virginia
August 16, 2011

Hampton Roads Executive Airport Celebrates the Grand Opening of New Executive Terminal and Ribbon Cutting for New Runway Construction
April 21, 2011

Hampton Roads Executive Airport New Terminal Building to Open February 2011
December 1, 2010

Runway expansion approved
August 23, 2010

Hampton Roads Executive Airport Continues its Growth
June 1, 2008

Hampton Roads’ Airmen Lose One of Their Own... a Tribute to Bill Backus
June 1, 2008

Hampton Roads’ Airmen Lose One of Their Own... a Tribute to Bill Backus

June 1, 2008

Hampton Roads Airmen recently lost one of their more colorful brethren with the passing of Bill Backus on January 26, 2008. Backus, founder and former president of Backus Aerial Photography, the area’s premier aerial photography business for the last 40 years, succumbed to congestive heart failure.

Backus was known for his hospitality and his office was open to one and all.

He loved aviation, but he loved people more. He wanted to just sit and tell you stories and smile with you.

Backus, an electrician by trade, traded a Harley-Davidson for his first airplane and began taking pictures of homes and businesses in the Hampton Roads area and then selling them to pay for gas for his airplane as a way to pay for his passion to fly. Then, in 1968, Backus opened his business at Hampton Roads Executive Airport, where it is currently one of the oldest businesses on-site.

Backus was also a Navy Aircrew member on several different aircraft in various squadrons, including the S2-F Tracker in VS72, the P3-C Orion in VP and the C-9B Skytrain in VR-56.

He was an auxiliary officer for the Portsmouth Police Department where he served in police cruisers, the marine unit, a detective and helicopter pilot. He was also a charter member and former commander of the Khedive Air Wing and flew 55 burned and/or crippled children to medical facilities in a single year.

Backus also was active with The Quiet Birdmen, Swift Association, the Experimental Aircraft Association and was a colonel in the Commemorative Air Force.

This tribute was written by Doug Rogers and Gary Backus.