Mojave Airport renamed for Rutan brothers

Burt and Dick Rutan are two of the most famous aircraft designers ever and their home airport, Mojave Air and Space Port in California, is to bear their names in the future – ‘Mojave Air and Space Port at Rutan Field’.

The directors of Mojave Air and Space Port (MASP) voted on 18 January to add the brothers’ name to honour their contributions to the airport.

The Rutans moved to Mojave 50 years ago when it was a small, little known General Aviation airport.

National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinees and aviation legends Lt. Col.(Ret.) Dick Rutan and Burt Rutan at the National Museum of the USAF on 21 Feb 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

A MASP statement said, “Burt Rutan and Dick Rutan have made significant contributions in experimental aviation design, fabrication, and flight test at Mojave Air and Space Port.

“Mojave Air and Space Port is the preeminent flight test airport with the greatest number of first flights of new designs, and two dozen world records in aviation, over half of which were accomplished due to the efforts of the Rutans.”

The citation went on to point out:

• First flights of more than 60 unique experimental aircraft
• During one 20-year period there was an average of a first flight of a new manned research type every eight and a half months
• Rutan Aircraft Factory and Scaled Composites (the Rutans’ company) has employed thousands of individuals and given birth to countless dreams and passions for flight research, design, and piloting.

Among the Rutans’ achievements are Voyager, which made the first nonstop flight around the world, SpaceShipOne, the first privately funded spacecraft to enter space, and dozens of General Aviation aircraft designs including the Long-Ez and Beech Starship.

Mojave Air and Space Port