The 46-year old airport switched over to the new aluminium-clad tower on 10 October 2010. The new tower is designed to provide a 360-degree view for air traffic controllers watching runways and taxiways.
LaGuardia Airport’s new air traffic control tower is clad in lightweight Reynobond aluminium composite material (ACM) panels supplied by Alcoa, a Pennsylvania-based producer of primary and fabricated aluminium. The Reynobond ACM cladding aesthetically ties the tower to the other metal-clad buildings within the airport complex. The cabin has been fully clad in a custom blue shade panel that virtually fades into the sky, enhancing the subtlety of the tower. Platinum and grey velvet accents are used on the soffits and fin panels.
The new tower provides space to accommodate the new technology, including the NextGen air traffic control system. It has been outfitted with fibre optics for voice and data communications. Airport Surface Detection Equipment (ASDE-X) is placed atop the new structure.
The new tower includes a two-storey, 17,380 square- feet base housing administrative offices, space for electrical, mechanical and electronic equipment as well as room for employee breaks and locker rooms.
The tower raises the control cabin about 70ft above the old one. This helps in offering an unobstructed 360-degree view of runways and taxi areas to air traffic controllers.
