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Isle of Man Airport control tower taking shape
VISIBLE from miles around, it's the Isle of Man's latest landmark — but one that is surprisingly inconspicuous.
The 6.5 million new air traffic control tower at Isle of Man airport is rapidly taking shape.
At 35 metres in height, it dwarves the old control tower, built more than 60 years ago, that it will replace.
The Department of Transport scheme is just one part of a multimillion-pound programme of improvement, including the airport runway project extending the runway end safety areas, currently underway at Ronaldsway.
And the focus of all these schemes is greater passenger safety, according to air traffic services manager Rob Marshall.
He said: 'The projects can be seen as stand alone but they are all about improving safety. The old air traffic control tower is life-expired and it was essential for airport operations that it was replaced.'
Rob is in charge of a team of 15 air traffic controllers, eight support staff and four engineers that maintain the radar and other high-tech systems.
Ronaldsway handles an average of 100 aircraft movements a day and the air traffic control tower is the hub of operations.
The pod at its top is a real room with a view, providing 360 degree visibility with views across the airfield and beyond to Snowdonia on a clear day.
Built in wartime, when Ronaldsway was a Royal Naval air station, the old control tower is just 18 metres high. While it, too, offers all-round visibility, its view has been obstructed by more recent development.
You can't see part of the cross Runway 21 as hangars block the view.
More importantly, the height of present tower means airfield operations are seen from a shallow angle.
But at nearly twice the height, the new facility will allow air traffic controllers to have a plan view and much improved perspective on aircraft movements and positions.
Airport director Ann Reynolds added: 'The location of the current tower also proscribes lower lighting masts on the apron in front of the tower as the masts block the view of the runway.
'Lower lighting masts means less light on the apron where passengers disembark from aircraft so there are continuously additional health and safety considerations all the time the old tower is in use.'
It's impressive but tried and tested engineering.
January storms didn't delay construction with specialist sub-contractors Bierrum using a continuous pour technique to create the tower's 30 metre 'stalk' in just 10 days. The pre-fabricated pod was then craned on top section by section.
Main contractor Parkinsons then took over and is expected to complete construction by November, round about the same time as the runway project is due to finish.
Consultants from UK-based National Air Traffic Services will then move in to fit and test the avionics and other systems. This will take until the end of February when staff training will begin. Following a four-week transitionary period, the new control tower is expected to become fully operational in mid April.
As well as the main tower, there is a two-storey building which houses the approach radar positions together with engineering facilities, offices and other administrative areas.
In the radar section, there will no banks of consoles as you would expect. Instead, flat screen monitors will be used that can be moved as required by each operator.
'It will have a much more open environment than what we've got at the moment,' said Rob.
'Technology is moving on all the time. The screens are getting better and better and the hardware that drives the system is forever improving. New radar systems can tell us more information, not just how high and how fast an aircraft is travelling.'
Rob's career in air traffic control goes back 35 years.
He started out in 1974 and worked in Gatwick, Manchester and Orkney before moving to Ronaldsway.
Asked about the stress of the job, he replied: 'I would be more stressed in front of a class of 12-year-olds or in a hospital! We have very busy periods but lulls as well. It's something you learn to do.'
Facilities for training in the old building are very limited but training rooms are a key part of the design of the new structure.
Rob said: 'One major advantage apart from the obvious benefits is the opportunity for training. You can spend five years doing this job without ever actually witnessing a significant emergency event.
'But today's regulatory regime means you have to continually train and demonstrate competence and capability to cope with any unusual circumstance.
'The purpose-built facility will make everybody that much more motivated. Staff would move in today if they could.'
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Weather for Isle of Man
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 1 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South
