BROOMFIELD — In a move that one official likened to “going from an old beater to a brand-new car,” the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday officially opened the new control tower at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport.
The old tower, which workers fondly referred to as “the salt shaker,” was built in 1966 and stood 74 feet tall. The new structure, about a half mile away, stands 125 feet high — a difference that provides an entirely new perspective for air-traffic controllers and other workers.
“There were things, like run-up areas, that we really couldn’t see before,” said frontline manager Shirl Burton. “Before, 85 percent of our traffic came in from the north and you had to look over your shoulder to see out. That’s not the case now.”
The new tower has been operational for just over two weeks, but before that, workers had to undergo months of training to help get acclimated to the new environment, including spending time at Denver International Airport, where they worked in a room that simulated the differences between the old and new towers. After they moved into the new tower cab, the FAA overstaffed each shift, the extra eyes helping co-workers get used to the new sight lines.
As significant as the extra height and space — the new tower cab is 125 square feet larger than the previous space — is that the equipment being used for such things as surface radar and voice switching has been upgraded as well. As a result, officials say, the airport is now better linked with others in the system, including DIA.
“Now, if, say, a plane couldn’t get into DIA, this airport could be used as a diversion,” said Kathryn Vernon, an FAA regional administrator. “And when the tools being used are upgraded at DIA, they’ll be upgraded here as well.
“It’s really a matter of better service: With better technology and better tools, it’s gone from a 1960s tower to a 2012 tower.”
The new tower, which cost $23.7 million, was designed to withstand winds of up to 110 mph and an earthquake of magnitude 9.0.
Primarily serving general aviation traffic, the old tower handled 110,509 takeoffs and landings in 2011.
Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com
