News
NAV CANADA to build new control tower at YKF
NAV CANADA has announced the construction of a new air traffic control tower at the Region of Waterloo International Airport. The new structure will replace the existing tower built over 45 years ago. Work is set to begin this month and is anticipated to be completed by the summer 2017.
June 5, 2015 By NAV CANADA
“The new tower will be significantly taller than what we have today. The added height will improve controllers’ sight lines to all the airport’s runways, taxiways and aprons,” says Rudy Kellar, NAV CANADA Executive Vice President, Service Delivery. “The tower cab will be larger and provide controllers with a 360-degree view of the airfield.”
At 19.4 metres high (64 ft.), the new tower will be almost five metres (16 ft.) taller than the present structure; a 33⅓ per cent increase. The larger cab will expand the controllers’ workspace from the current 24 square metres (260 sq. ft.) to 32 sq. m (345 sq. ft.). The four storey building will have an elevator.
“We are very pleased that NAV CANADA is modernizing their air traffic control service with a new state-of-the-art control tower,” said Ken Seiling, Waterloo Regional Chair. “This new facility will be well suited for the existing traffic and will meet the future needs of our airport.” (See artist’s rendering)
“The Region of Waterloo International Airport is an important gateway for the region and I am pleased that NAV CANADA is making this significant investment in the airport,” says the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport. “These types of investments in our aviation infrastructure will benefit both residents and businesses in the area.”
“The current tower was built in 1969,” notes Kellar. “At that time it was situated near the centre of the airport. Since then, runway 08/26 has been extended a further 3,300 feet to the east which put the centre well east of the tower’s location.”
The new facility will also feature much needed office space, a conference room, a fitness room, a quiet lounge, a lunch room and a training classroom. For controllers working in the cab there will be three new ergonomically designed consoles.
