Hoffman's Airport Ownership: Fact Or Fiction?

Todd Hoffman, the former series lead and creator of Discovery Channel's hit series Gold Rush, owned and operated the Sandy River Airport in Sandy, Oregon, prior to the start of Season 1 of the show. Hoffman turned to gold mining when his airport business started failing. The Hoffman Family of Companies has also invested in various tourism ventures, including a helicopter tour service and a tourism yacht called the Miss Augusta.

Jack and Georgia Hoffman own the Sandy River Airport in Oregon

The Hoffmans are owner-operators of the airport, which bears the FAA identifier 03S. They are responsible for the day-to-day running of the airport, including maintenance and ground services. The airport is known for its challenging approach due to the nearby river canyon, which can make for tricky wind conditions.

The couple's involvement in the airport is notable, as they are also gold miners, a profession they took up when their airport business began to fail. Their story is one of resilience and diversification, as they have successfully juggled their aviation endeavours with their mining pursuits.

The Sandy River Airport community is a dedicated and passionate one. When the Hoffmans are away mining, they rely on trusted volunteers like Paul LaPlante, an aviation enthusiast himself, to manage the airport's operations. Paul's contributions to the airport and the wider aviation community have been significant, and he is highly regarded by the Hoffmans and other pilots.

The Sandy River Airport, under the ownership of Jack and Georgia Hoffman, has become a hub for Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) activity, with 11 LSA ships based there out of a total of 34 aircraft. The airport's grass runway, surrounded by the natural backdrop of Mt. Hood, offers a unique and scenic flying experience.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies owns 10 acres of land, including a hangar, at the Washington Regional Airport in Missouri

The Hoffmann Family of Companies has a diverse range of investments, including wineries, vineyards, and a tourism yacht called the Miss Augusta. The company has invested over $150 million in these ventures. The acquisition of the land and hangar at the Washington Regional Airport adds a new dimension to their tourism business.

The hangar is also used by Mid-American Coaches, a Washington-based tour bus company acquired by the Hoffmanns in April 2021. The helicopter tours will fly from the Washington airport to Hermann, offering narrated tours featuring views of the countryside and the family's vineyards.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies is a conglomerate of 85 companies and brands, with over 200 real estate holdings. Their businesses span various industries, including executive recruitment, commercial real estate, entertainment, and now aviation.

While the above information specifically addresses the prompt about the Hoffmann Family of Companies owning land at an airport in Missouri, it is worth noting that there is a separate instance of a different family with the same surname owning an airport. Todd Hoffman, the former lead and creator of the Discovery Channel's show "Gold Rush," owned and operated the Sandy River Airport in Sandy, Oregon, prior to Season 1 of the show.

Todd Hoffman owned the Sandy River Airport before starring in Gold Rush

Todd Hoffman, the former series lead and creator of the Discovery Channel's hit series "Gold Rush", owned and operated the Sandy River Airport in Sandy, Oregon, before he rose to fame. Hoffman, like many of the people featured on the show, took up gold mining as a last resort when his previous business—the airport—began to fail.

The Sandy River Airport is aptly named, as it is the airport for the city of Sandy, Oregon. Hoffman's foray into gold mining was not his first career pivot. Before starring in "Gold Rush", Hoffman owned and operated the Sandy River Airport, and when that business began to fail, he turned to gold mining, just like his father before him. Hoffman's father was completely unsuccessful in his gold mining endeavours, but Hoffman himself struck gold several times during his time on the series.

Hoffman's departure from the show came as a shock to many, and while some may have assumed that he would return to managing the airport, he instead pursued a singing career, posting numerous covers and original performances on his YouTube channel. Hoffman has worn many hats throughout his career, and it is clear that he always sets his sights high.

The Sandy River Airport continues to operate, and in 2015, an article highlighted the volunteer work of airport local Paul LaPlante, who helped with the day-to-day running of the airport while the Hoffmans were away mining gold. LaPlante, a talented remote control airplane enthusiast with a lifelong love of aviation, mowed the 2,100-foot grass runway, fixed hangar doors, and handled various other issues. He even skillfully recovered a Luscombe 8A plane that had flipped over at the end of the runway, preventing further damage to the aircraft.

The Hoffmann Family of Companies plans to launch helicopter tours in Missouri

The Hoffmann Family of Companies is expanding its tourism ventures with its latest acquisition in Washington, Missouri. The company has announced plans to launch helicopter tour services, adding a new dimension to its growing portfolio in the region. This move underscores the company's commitment to providing diverse and exciting experiences for visitors exploring the towns of Augusta and Washington, located about 55 miles west of St. Louis.

The company has acquired 10 acres of land, including a hangar, at the Washington Regional Airport, just north of Washington, Missouri. This strategic acquisition will house the company's newly purchased four-passenger helicopter, which will be used for scenic tours along the Missouri River. The hangar will also accommodate Mid-American Coaches, the Washington-based tour bus company previously acquired by the Hoffmanns in April 2021.

The helicopter tours will offer narrated flights, showcasing the picturesque Washington countryside and providing breathtaking views of the family's recently acquired vineyards. The exact route and commencement date of the tours are yet to be finalized, but the company has revealed that the flights will operate between the Washington airport and the town of Hermann, approximately 30 miles to the west.

This latest venture by the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a conglomerate of 85 companies and brands with diverse holdings, further diversifies their tourism offerings. The company has already invested over $150 million in the region, including wineries, vineyards, and a 96-foot-long tourism yacht named the Miss Augusta. With this new acquisition, the company expands its reach into aerial tourism, providing a unique perspective on the natural beauty of Missouri.

The company also intends to utilize the land at Washington Regional Airport to establish a fixed-base operator (FBO), providing essential aviation services such as fueling and aircraft maintenance. This development aligns with the company's strategy of investing in a range of tourism-related businesses and real estate, creating a comprehensive and attractive package for visitors seeking memorable experiences in the area.

The Sandy River Airport is also called Sandy Airport by the Gold Rush crew

The Sandy River Airport (FAA ID: 03S) in Sandy, Oregon, was owned by Todd Hoffman, the former series lead and creator of the Discovery Channel's hit series "Gold Rush". Hoffman owned and operated the airport before turning to gold mining, like his father before him, when the airport business started failing. The airport, which serves the city of Sandy, Oregon, is also called Sandy Airport by the "Gold Rush" crew.

Jack and Georgia Hoffman, who are likely relatives of Todd Hoffman, are the owner/operators of the Sandy River Airport. While the Hoffmans were off mining gold, airport local Paul LaPlante volunteered to help with the day-to-day running of the airport. LaPlante, who has a variety of experience, including volunteer firefighter/EMT, tow truck driver, and trucker, proved his worth in 2009 when he skillfully used a boom truck to right a Luscombe 8A that had flipped over at the end of the runway.

LaPlante also volunteered to help out around the airport for the 2010 and 2011 gold mining seasons. He went out of his way to make things run smoothly, not just for the owners, but also for visiting pilots. He kept an aviation transceiver on his golf cart to listen to traffic and could be found on the airways if he recognized someone flying overhead. LaPlante's efforts were recognized and appreciated by pilots, as the Sandy River Airport is a challenging strip to come into when the wind is blowing up or down the river canyon.

The Sandy River Airport is a local hotbed of Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) activity, with 11 LSA ships out of the 34 aircraft based at 03S. LaPlante, inspired by the airport's LSA activity, sought and earned the FAA Repairman's Certificate for Light Sport Aircraft. He hopes to someday open a Light Sport repair facility to help owners/pilots and promote LSA activities in the area.

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