AIRPORT BUILDINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27025, 9 March 1949, Page 6

AIRPORT BUILDINGS

NEW CONTROL TOWER EXTENSION OF FACILITIES Control and meteorological facilities at Taieri airport will be considerably increased when building operations which are now well under way are completed. The existing control tower block is to be superseded by a larger tower near the National Airways hangar and the meteorological offices in the base of the existing tower will be transferred to renovated rooms previously occupied by un oil store in tne side annex of the hangar.The new control tower will be considerably higher than the old one and the design is distinctly unusual. A “ three-decker,” the observation room at the top is completely enclosed in date glass. In order to reduce glare and heat in this room, the glass has been set at an angle sloping out toward the roof. The position ,of the tower permits an excellent view over the whole airfield. It may be assumed, however, that the position of the main transversal runway will have to be slightly altered in order to allow for the necessary 10 degrees safety angle of deflection. An outer platform runs round the building at a lower leyel than the control room, while additional offices are provided for in the two lower decks. The upper section of the tower will be provided with air conditioning apparatus in order to keep temperatures below those which might be expected in an exposed glass-enclosed space. When the meteorological offices are completed, the section stationed at Taieri —one of the main stations in the New Zealand network—will move from the present control tower block, where conditions are at present somewhat cramped. It is expected that, when the new tower and office are completed the old tower will be. at least in part, dismantled.