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Board approves special‑use permit for unmanned aircraft operations on private Mojave County airstrip
Summary
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑use permit allowing unmanned vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operations on a 36‑acre residential parcel for maintenance and R&D tied to agricultural and firefighting work. The board discussed enforceable limits and FAA jurisdiction over airspace.
The Mojave County Board of Supervisors on April 6 approved a special‑use permit (Resolution 2026‑064) allowing unmanned aircraft operations on a private 36‑acre parcel in the Antares Road vicinity.
The applicant, Dirk Vanvoris, told the board the site will be used for maintenance and research and development linked to off‑site agricultural operations and firefighting. ‘‘The FAA capsus of 400 ft above ground level,’’ Vanvoris said in response to a supervisor’s question about maximum altitude. He described the aircraft as unmanned vertical‑takeoff‑and‑landing vehicles and said most operational flying is done offsite for customers; the on‑site activity is intended for maintenance and test flights.
Resident Jill Martin, who lives nearby, urged approval and described the operation as low impact. ‘‘We believe this project is a community asset and it provides an opportunity for locals to enjoy a unique activity together,’’ she said, adding that the applicant holds FAA approvals and an FAA airport designation code.
Planning staff recommended approval after the planning commission’s unanimous vote. Board members questioned whether the county could enforce limits on flights over neighboring properties. Attorney Davis said the county controls ground activities and ‘‘the FAA maintains control over the airspace,’’ adding that alleged airspace violations would be handled by the FAA and that county enforcement would focus on whether the applicant complied with the special‑use permit conditions on the ground.
Supervisors discussed conditioning the permit to require on‑site operations to remain within the applicant’s property and noted that if staff receives credible reports of off‑site operations county inspectors could investigate alleged permit violations and pursue permit cancellation for noncompliance.
After questions and public comment closed, the board voted to approve the special‑use permit. The permit allows the applicant to launch and maintain unmanned aircraft from his parcel; it does not supplant FAA authority over flights. Staff said they can add permit conditions and will monitor the operation for compliance.
Next steps: the county will file the permit decision in the planning records and will investigate any verified complaints of off‑site operation; the FAA remains the primary enforcer for airspace and pilot certification issues.
