Air, Space Port may ask more about tenants

Valley Press on ^ | Wednesday, August 22, 2007. | ALLISON GATLIN

[BenLurkin]

Mojave Air and Space Port officials are seeking a means of properly balancing the civilian flight test facility's traditional freedom for a variety of test activities with its responsibility to be prepared to respond should something go wrong during that testing. The issue has come to the forefront following two accidental explosions in the past few months. The most recent explosion resulted in three deaths.

The first accident, in early June, was in an explosives storage area and did not directly involve any test activities. No one was injured in that blast.

The second occurred in late July, when three Scaled Composites employees were killed and three others seriously injured during what was described as a routine test of rocket propulsion system components.

Traditionally, the airport staff has managed tenant activities "from a stand-off posture," General Manager Stu Witt said during Tuesday's meeting of the East Kern Airport District board of directors. The district governs the air and space port.

Lease agreements may define the where and when of tenants' activities, but not the what and how, he said.

However, in light of recent events, Witt asked the directors whether policy was needed to better prepare for emergencies by being more aware of the specifics of tenants' activities.

A fine line exists between the airport's responsibility to know what is happening on its property and intruding into individual businesses' activities, which could encroach on their ability to conduct business, he said.

Board members agreed about the need to maintain the facility's atmosphere of encouraging testing in an environment free of onerous restrictions, but said some action to prepare for emergencies is warranted.

[BenLurkin]

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