Tue, Oct 02, 2012
Built To Accommodate Future NextGen Technologies
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta dedicated the new $20.5 million airport traffic control tower at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport on Friday. “This new air traffic control tower will promote safety and economic growth in northeast Pennsylvania,” Secretary LaHood said. “We must continue to invest in and modernize our transportation infrastructure to ensure we stay competitive in today’s global economy.”
The 118-foot-tall tower gives controllers better airfield views and contains state-of-the-art equipment to support and enable future NextGen technologies. It replaces a 52-foot-tall tower built in 1952. A 12,683-square-foot base building houses a new Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) that provides radar service to flights within a 57-mile radius of the airport up to an altitude of 10,000 feet. The base building also accommodates electronic equipment, administrative offices and building support systems.
“This tower is a symbol of the FAA’s commitment to aviation safety and to modernizing the air traffic control system,” Huerta said. “Upgrading our aviation infrastructure to support NextGen will help to maintain the world’s largest and safest aviation system.”
The new facility has the latest radar and communications technology, as well as a high-tech climate control system and was constructed with energy-efficient materials to reduce heating and ventilation costs. The $20.5 million air traffic control tower was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Construction began in December 2009, and air traffic controllers began handling flights from the new tower on Aug. 29, 2012.
More News
Aero Linx: Model Aeronautical Association of Australia MAAA clubs are about fun flying, camaraderie and community. For over 75 years, the MAAA has been Australia’s largest fl>[...]
Touchdown Zone Lighting Two rows of transverse light bars located symmetrically about the runway centerline normally at 100 foot intervals. The basic system extends 3,000 feet alon>[...]
“Discovery and innovation are central to our mission at Virgin Galactic. We’re excited to build on our successful record of facilitating scientific experiments in subor>[...]
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV? If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbel>[...]
Student Pilot Reported That During Rotation, “All Of A Sudden The Back Of The Plane Kicked To The Right..." Analysis: The student pilot reported that during rotation, “>[...]