Mojave Airport prepares for future
This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press on Wednesday, February 25, 2004.
By ALLISON GATLIN
Valley Press Staff Writer

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MOJAVE - Maintaining focus on its historic role in flight test and aerospace while allowing for future growth in other realms as well, the East Kern Airport District board of directors approved a mission statement Tuesday to guide the Mojave Airport into the future.
The mission of the Mojave Airport is to "foster and maintain our recognized aerospace presence with a principle focus as the world's premier Civilian AeroSpace Test Center, while seeking compatibly diverse business and industry."

The general aviation airport, east of State Route 14 and south of the Highway 58 bypass, also is known as the Civilian Flight Test Center. The 3,300-acre airport is home to a wide array of commercial, service and industrial businesses, running the gamut from aircraft service and storage to flight test activities and cutting-edge design and manufacturing. It also plays host to non-aviation industries such as rail, printing, warehousing and distribution.

The mission statement reflects a new emphasis on space at the airport. Already home to seven rocket companies, the airport has an application to be the nation's first inland spaceport under review with the Federal Aviation Administration.

As part of this new emphasis on space, the mission statement also signals a change in identity from the Civilian Flight Test Center to Civilian AeroSpace Test Center.

"We're a unique organization and our mission statement should say that," director Dick Rutan said. "We're not Fox Field or anywhere else."

Airport General Manager Stuart Witt last month requested the comprehensive mission statement from the board to guide him and the district staff in future development.

In crafting the mission statement, directors considered both the existing businesses at the airport and what can be expected in the future.

Directors expressed concern about ensuring that any new businesses do not interfere with those already established, specifically those involved in flight test activities such as Scaled Composites and the National Test Pilot School.

"I would like to see us remain an airport and be compatible with other industries," director Cathy Hansen said.

While flight test remains at the core of the airport's mission, future economic growth and job creation may also depend on other industries.

The airport is uniquely situated to take advantage of the combination of air, rail and major highway arteries. Witt has already been approached by several freight companies seeking to locate there.

"We need to look beyond aerospace for the next 15 years," he said. "I believe we shouldn't limit ourselves at this point."

The airport has a history of being host to industries that are not aviation-related, such as tenant Progress Rail.

"This airport has survived many years through adversity," board President JoAnn Painter said. "It has not only been aerospace that's carried it."

In including the phrase "compatibly diverse" in the mission statement, directors retain the power to accept or reject new businesses based on how well they fit with those already in place.

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