MANITOUWADGE -- This summer’s lightning strike events were the final nail in the coffin for the Manitouwadge Municipal airport’s Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), and the equipment is slated for replacement this fall. This important navigational aid, which provides accurate information for approaching aircraft, was already due for replacement as it was difficult, if not impossible, to find parts for the aging system.
Weather information, such as cloud ceilings, wind speed, and temperature, is broadcast to pilots in the vicinity of the airport via a computer-generated voice message over a VHS radio frequency. The lack of this pertinent information could adversely affect the landings and takeoffs of fire and medical flights, as well as chartered flights and private aircraft.
Marcel DeMars, in consultation with airport attendant, Ray Gascon, and Mathieu Poirier from Approach Navigation Systems Inc. made several recommendations for the new equipment, including installing the system where all of the voice processing and VHF broadcasting equipment would be at the AWOS tower location in the field, and finding an alternate location to install the new AWOS computer equipment indoors to avoid any future lightning damage to the terminal building and equipment.
The municipality had already been set aside $96,500 for this project, but an additional $96,500 was approved and will be transferred from the Equipment Replacement Reserve Account which currently has $244,219 available. The project, which was originally scheduled for next year, will be pushed up to October 2022, as the situation has become more urgent. An insurance claim was filed for the damage resulting from the lightning strike, and, should the claim be approved, the funds used will be returned to the reserve account.
Reliability, safety and security are important aspects of any airport, and this essential new weather observation equipment will help to ensure the high level of transportation service that this somewhat isolated town depends on. For more information about the airport, visit the Township of Manitouwadge website’s municipal services airport page.
