POTSDAM — A system that compiles weather information pilots need to land and take off from the Potsdam Municipal Airport will soon be replaced.
On Wednesday, U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced $17,182,465 in federal funding for 36 infrastructure projects at local airports across Upstate New York — including $235,440 needed to replace the Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) at the Potsdam Municipal Airport, also known as Damon Field. The funding was allocated to the village of Potsdam through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.
“It’s not a big piece of equipment, but it is expensive,” said Potsdam Village Administrator Gregory Thompson. “It secures the future of our airport.”
The AWOS measures and shows barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, temperature and precipitation. Mr. Thompson said the new system should be implemented this fall.
“The one we have now is a bit antiquated — it’s older,” Mr. Thompson said..
Mr. Thompson said with the increase in traffic at the airport, it’s important for the weather system to be up to date.
“With Air Methods, UPS, LaValley (Aviation), and the independent pilots at the airport now, having the AWOS is vital,” Mr. Thompson said. “We have more independent pilots than we’ve ever had. Our hangars are full, and that’s substantial for our airport. That was the argument we had for replacement.”
In addition, the Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority received $190,000 for restoration projects at the Ogdensburg International Airport.
Original article can be found here: http://cbwatertown.com
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