In July 2019, Airport staff received an inquiry from the Kitty Hawk Aero regarding testing and business opportunities at the Byron Airport. Kitty Hawk is developing vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and were interested in conducting test flights with the potential to establish a facility to assemble the aircraft. The relatively isolated location of the Byron airport makes it a good candidate for their assemblage work and the vacant surrounding the airport make it an ideal flight test area. They also like the availability of a local large labor pool to draw from for their staffing needs.

Kitty Hawk has indicated that the initial assemblage facility will be between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet. There are no existing vacant buildings at the airport that will meet their long-term business needs but they have discussed renting and/or purchasing a leased to expedite initial start-up work.

Airport staff convened a County staff group that included Conservation and Development, Public Works, Environmental Health, Fire Protection District and District 3 staff to discuss development and use issues and concerns. Kitty Hawk representatives met with this working group to have a more in-depth discussion of their initial and long-term business needs, including ability to expedite process to get their business established and operating at the airport as soon as possible.

Kitty Hawk is in process of evaluating their business location options but have indicated that the Byron Airport is their preference if they can quickly establish an interim operating facility as they proceed with entitlement process for a more permanent facility.