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Mojave Air & Space Port (MHV/KMHV) is a public-use airport and licensed spaceport in the Mojave Desert of Kern County, California. Established on a former Marine Corps air station, it is renowned as a civilian flight-test and aerospace hub, home to the National Test Pilot School, aircraft storage yards, and companies like Virgin Galactic and Stratolaunch. Its dry climate and long runways make it ideal for test flights, space launch operations, and long-term aircraft storage.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors check the airport's event calendar for Plane Crazy Saturday and call ahead about public viewing areas; photography near active test aircraft and restricted zones is often prohibited, and access can change quickly with ongoing flight-test or space operations.
🚖 Getting There
Mojave Air & Space Port is about 1.5 hours north of Los Angeles and 1 hour east of Bakersfield via California State Route 14; driving is the primary access. There is no scheduled public transit to the airport, and rental cars are limited, so arrange ground transportation in advance. Rideshare availability can be spotty, especially late at night or on weekends.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Mojave Air & Space Port a regular commercial airport?
A: No. It has no scheduled passenger airline service; it primarily supports general aviation, flight testing, aerospace operations, and aircraft storage.
Q: Can I visit or tour the airport?
A: Public access is limited. The airport hosts events such as Plane Crazy Saturday, and some tours or viewing areas may be available by prior arrangement, but many areas are restricted.
Q: What aircraft can be seen at Mojave?
A: Depending on the day, you may see stored airliners, experimental prototypes, test aircraft, and occasionally space launch vehicles or components.
Q: Why are so many planes stored at Mojave?
A: The desert's low humidity and stable climate help preserve aircraft, while the airport's long runways and ample space make it a practical location for storage, maintenance, and return-to-service work.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 30, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash