Central Wisconsin Airport.
MOSINEE, WI (WSAU) — The Central Wisconsin Airport in Mosinee is one of two facilities in Wisconsin to receive funding for control tower improvements as part of a round of federal grants distributed by the FAA.
Director Brian Grefe says the $608,000 will help improve vital communication equipment that hasn’t been looked at in years. “It’s equipment to store and communicate the weather, talk between the aircraft, [and] recording equipment and the consoles that it sits in. It’s federally mandated communications equipment.”
The project for Central Wisconsin Airport will replace outdated equipment and overhaul control tower functionality. Adding a tracking system and improving radio communication between the tower and on-the-ground support vehicles will boost overall airport safety.
Grefe says the money will also be used to install sun shades in the tower, which will allow for better climate control during times when the sun shines directly into the facility.
Grant funding was determined based on several factors including the age of the current equipment and previous funding awards. Because CWA hasn’t dipped into federal funds for air traffic control upgrades in the past, Grefe says they were able to get a bigger chunk of the money.
The equipment is owned and maintained by the airport, but run by government contractors. Meaning the grant will allow them to upgrade the equipment in an affordable manner.
Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh also received $200,000 for upgrades. Grefe says his facility plans to begin the government procurement process as soon as possible which includes more applications and a bidding process. The new equipment should be installed within a year.
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