Ventura County's Area 805 Advanced Air Mobility Test Range Awaits FAA Approval

The 500-square-mile airspace project aims to become a hub for uncrewed aircraft testing and development.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Ventura County's Department of Airports is awaiting FAA approval for the Area 805 advanced air mobility test range, which would encompass 500 square miles of airspace over Camarillo, Oxnard, and the Ventura County coastline. The project, administered in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is expected to launch later this year and serve as a primary site for commercial and defense industry partners to test uncrewed aircraft. The Hive Autonomous Innovation Center at Camarillo Airport will also be a key part of the ecosystem, connecting private enterprises, defense partners, education, and the public sector to accelerate the development of advanced air mobility and autonomous systems.

Why it matters

The Area 805 test range is poised to become a catalyst for inclusive economic transformation in Ventura County and the broader Central Coast region, generating over 300 high-wage, high-skill jobs in fields like AAM technology and clean engineering. It also aims to provide workforce development opportunities through partnerships with local colleges and training programs.

The details

The advanced air mobility test range will operate from Camarillo and Oxnard airports, with up to three autonomous aircraft flights per day. Operators will need to complete a rigorous approval process with the FAA, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Department of Airports. The project is expected to have minimal impact on current air traffic, with operations primarily over the Pacific Ocean and in coordination with the local airport towers.

  • The Area 805 project was submitted to the FAA in November 2024.
  • The FAA approval process typically takes 12-18 months, and the county is about 14 months into that process.
  • The county is hoping for FAA approval in the second quarter of 2026 and to be operational by the third quarter.

The players

Ventura County Department of Airports

The department administering the Area 805 advanced air mobility test range project.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

The university partnering with Ventura County to operate the test range, as one of the few FAA-designated UAS test ranges in the U.S.

The Hive Autonomous Innovation Center

An initiative at Camarillo Airport to create an ecosystem connecting private enterprises, defense partners, education, and the public sector to accelerate advanced air mobility and autonomous systems development.

Ventura County Economic Vitality Unit

The county department administering The Hive Autonomous Innovation Center.

Keith Freitas

The director of Ventura County's Department of Airports.

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What they’re saying

“We're still in a holding pattern, awaiting approval by the FAA.”

— Keith Freitas, Director, Ventura County Department of Airports (pacbiztimes.com)

“Typically, it's a twelve to eighteen-month process. We're about 14 months into that process.”

— Keith Freitas, Director, Ventura County Department of Airports (pacbiztimes.com)

“It will serve as a partner in helping to bring businesses to test at the Area 805 range. Simultaneously, it will work as a partner with the test range to tie businesses into resources throughout the county.”

— Estelle Bussa, Deputy Executive Officer of Economic Vitality and Service Excellence, Ventura County (pacbiztimes.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The Area 805 advanced air mobility test range represents a significant opportunity for Ventura County and the Central Coast to become a hub for the development and testing of uncrewed aircraft and autonomous systems, driving inclusive economic growth and workforce development in the region.