EKAD plans major flightline upgrade
T-hangar area, apron to be improved
Mojave Desert News - 07/23/2009
By Bill Deaver
MOJAVE AIRPORT — Bids will be opened at the Mojave Airport/Spaceport Thursday, July 23rd, on a major project to upgrade the "apron," or flightline ramp at the airport. To be funded by the Federal Aviation Administration, the project also includes rebuilding paving at the airport's general aviation T-hangars at the west end of the airport, upgrading utilities, and installing new and larger water lines to provide for future expansion, said Tom Weil, East Kern Airport District business operations director.
"If all goes as planned, the work will be done between September and March," Weil said last Saturday in the airport's board room, where plans were on display to the public. Weil pointed to a map showing how the T-hangar area has been divided into four sections.
"Construction is expected to take from 30 to 45 days in each section," Weil said, cautioning that it could take longer. Tenants in each section will be notified well in advance to allow them to either park their airplanes outside or "hunker down" until the work is completed.
Utility upgrades
Electrical and water lines in the area will be upgraded along with drainage channels, said Dave Russell, the district's engineer. A new 24-inch water line will be laid through the hangar area from south to north to allow for future expansion at the west end of the airport.
Weil said that water lines under some of the hangars will be relocated" so we don't have a pipe break and have water shooting-up in a hangar." Ditches already dug for utilities have revealed no sub-base under asphalt and paving thicknesses ranging from four to 17 inches. "Asphalt was apparently cheap in those years," Weil commented. Work in the area was done in the airport district's early days.
The work will allow room for two more hangars to be built. Work along the main apron will involve replacing paving with concrete, along with replacing concrete where needed. Weil said the area in front of the Voyager Restaurant will be leveled, and a patio area and low wall will be built which could be used for al fresco dining.
As soon as the bids are opened, the district will approach the FAA for funding, Weil said.