FREEWAY NAME, MONUMENT PROPOSED AS AEROSPACE HONORS.

PALMDALE - Seeking to recognize local contributions to aviation and space, Antelope Valley's political leaders are proposing to name a portion of the Antelope Valley Freeway the Aerospace Highway.

Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, and state Sen. W.J. ``Pete'' Knight, R-Palmdale, introduced legislation to give that name to the freeway between Pearblossom Highway and the Kern County line.

The two lawmakers also introduced legislation to erect a monument at Vista Point, from which Air Force Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base can be seen, saluting the region's aerospace achievements.

``This community has been rooted in aerospace,'' Runner said. ``This legislation will name a portion of the 14 Freeway in recognition of the great work done not only for California, but for the nation.''

Runner noted that the list of aircraft being deployed in the Persian Gulf in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks have Antelope Valley connections.

``Everyone of those aircraft was tested here or built right here,'' Runner said.

The monument would cost an estimated $3,000 and would be funded privately, with a contribution expected from the Flight Test Historical Foundation.

The Vista Point location is considered an ideal spot for the monument because visitors can see both Air Force Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base as they look out over the valley.

The monument would highlight a few of the aviation milestones made in the Antelope Valley, scene of more than 150 first flights, the first flight beyond the speed of sound, and the landing of the first space shuttle missions.

The events that would be mentioned on the monument are being determined, but likely would include Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier and the 4,520-mph speed record set in an X-15 rocket plane by Knight when he was an Edwards test pilot.

Runner and Knight announced their proposed legislation during a news conference Thursday at Vista Point. Among those joining them were representatives of the Flight Test Historical Foundation and Joe Cotton, a former Edwards test pilot who, along with Al White, made the first flight of the supersonic XB-70 from Palmdale 37 years ago today.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution 119, which provides for the naming of the highway, and Assembly Concurrent Resolution 120, which authorizes the monument, will get their first committee hearings when the Legislature opens its next session in January.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color -- ran in AV edition only) Assemblyman George Runner, fourth from right, and, on his right, state Sen. W. J. ``Pete'' Knight hold a press conference Thursday in Palmdale.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer