About HRH
Over 100 years of combined aviation experience.
A full-service aviation company built on family, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to safe operations.
The Story
Built on a legacy.
Carried forward
by a family.
Hampton Roads Helicopters was founded in 2005 by Andy Gibbs — a man whose goal was simple: safe flight operations, quality maintenance, expert advice, and a personal touch. He found an ideal partner in Dave Hynes, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate who had flown VIPs in Learjets, completed international missions in the C-5 Galaxy, and accumulated over 18,000 accident-free flight hours — a man who also happened to have grown up in his father's helicopter company in the 1970s and 80s.
When Andy Gibbs passed away in February 2013, his entrepreneurial spirit didn't leave with him. It stayed in the hangar. The Hynes family stepped forward and carried his vision forward, adding Dave's brother Patrick — who left American Airlines to become Director of Maintenance, bringing airline-grade standards to every aircraft in the fleet.
Mitchell Hynes, Dave's son, represents the third generation. He soloed both helicopter and airplane on his 16th birthday, earned a computer science degree from Virginia Tech while flying part-time, and is now HRH's Chief Instructor and a Robinson Factory Approved Instructor Pilot. He flies over 30 different aircraft types and holds a Gold Seal on his Instructor's Certificate.
What HRH has built is not a service company with a family story attached to it. It is a family operation that happens to run one of the most capable aviation companies in the Virginia Tidewater — with the discipline of a military unit, the technical standards of a commercial carrier, and the kind of care that comes naturally when your name is on every aircraft.
Dave, Mitchell & Patrick Hynes
Timeline
HRH founded by Andy Gibbs and Dave Hynes at Hampton Roads Executive Airport.
Founder Andy Gibbs passes away. The Hynes family carries the legacy forward.
Patrick Hynes joins from American Airlines as Director of Maintenance.
AOPA Magazine March cover photograph taken from an HRH helicopter.
HRH Crew · Verticon 2025
Our People
The team.
In 2005, Dave transitioned from flying for the Air Force to team with Andy Gibbs to start and grow HRH into a premier aviation services company. Dave is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and served flying VIPs in Learjets, international missions in the C-5 Galaxy, and navaid flight inspection in Hawker 800s. His start in aviation began in the 1970s and 80s, growing up around and working for Brantly-Hynes Helicopters, at the time owned by his father Michael Hynes. With over 18,000+ accident-free flying hours split between helicopters and airplanes, Dave personally oversees all operations for HRH.
Patrick left American Airlines in 2014 as a maintenance technician to take over as Director of Maintenance for HRH. Besides over a decade of maintenance experience in the airline industry, Patrick also grew up working in numerous roles at Brantly-Hynes Helicopters, served in the Army as a helicopter maintenance specialist, and ran his own Robinson helicopter maintenance company. Patrick's diverse maintenance background and thousands of hours of pilot experience give him a unique capability to superbly perform his role for HRH's customers.
With aviation ingrained in the Hynes family, Mitchell soloed both the airplane and the helicopter on his 16th birthday, and got his private pilot certificate on his 17th. After Virginia Tech, where he earned an engineering degree in Computer Science while flying part-time, Mitchell has continually expanded his aviation accomplishments — including flying over 30 different aircraft types and becoming a Robinson Factory Approved Instructor Pilot.
A Virginian born and raised, Greg attended Virginia Tech for Biology and Biochemistry before focusing on a career in aviation. Some of his first memories are from attending air shows at NAS Oceana with his grandfather, a retired U.S. Air Force aircraft technician.
Hailing from Washington D.C., Peter's adventurous spirit led him from herding cattle in eastern Idaho to repairing equipment on submarines during a long Navy career. After retiring, he finally pursued his longstanding passion for aviation and is now living his dream as a helicopter flight instructor.
Caleb joined HRH in 2022 with over a decade of aviation experience — from instruction to utility work and managing flight operations overseas. He earned his Aeronautical Science degree at LeTourneau University along with fixed-wing ratings and an A&P certificate, before advancing into aerial mosquito control and OCONUS military contracting operations.
Dylan joined HRCS in December 2023 bringing nearly a decade of aviation experience. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, he was 8 years old when he took his first airplane ride and shortly after joined the Civil Air Patrol. His first job towing banners over his hometown led to a full aviation career.
Fleet
The aircraft.
HRH is a Robinson Factory Authorized Service Center and dealer. The fleet spans training helicopters, charter aircraft, and fixed-wing — all maintained to factory specification by Patrick Hynes and his team.
Ready to fly with HRH?
20 years, 18,000+ accident-free hours, and a team that treats every flight like it matters.