Jet Hangar project proposes lease of One hangar

Developers announced a tentative lease of one of the 18 proposed new hangars to a company developing autonomous flight technology. 

For the duration of the lease on this one hangar, the tenant proposes to initially fly test aircraft, instead of luxury private jets.

The proposed tenant, Merlin Labs, is developing AI solutions for relieving pilots, eventually permitting aircraft with fewer pilots, and even enabling pilotless aircraft.

The hangar proposed for lease is the existing old Navy Hangar that was used over 25 years ago for Raytheon corporate aircraft.  The plan is to house both aircraft and corporate offices within the hangar. The company indicates that small propeller aircraft will initially be used for testing, but the company has a contract to develop for the gigantic C-130 Hercules military transport.

Merlin Labs has filed a petition with the US Dept of Transportation for an exception allowing: “operation of two modified Cessna 208B Caravans over densely populated areas outside of congested airways. Merlin is developing an advanced autopilot system designed to enhance aviation safety that requires flight testing in the vicinity of Laurence G Hanscom Field Airport (KBED). Flights over densely populated areas will be restricted to operations which are necessary to conduct published instrument approaches in-and-out of KBED.” The Airline Pilots Association has filed a brief opposing this type of experimental operations in a populated area based on safety issues.

The project will create R&D jobs. It will also contribute to Bedford tax revenue, because the site is not within the bounds of Massport Land.

The fuel farm originally planned for this site will no longer be included. It is not clear if fuel storage will be relocated to a site within the Massport property.

If permanent, this change would reduce the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of the overall hangar project by approximately 10%, when compared with the original Hangar plan. However, the project proponent now indicates that the jet hangars will provide for jet taxi service in addition to private jets; since jet air taxis fly more often than private jets, this means that the expected GHG will go up, more than offsetting any expected reduction from the use of one hangar for R&D.

More discussion on this proposal is expected at the May 20 meeting of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission.