The old radar dome, the so -called Radome, had had its best time after thirteen years. “The old sphere consisted of several layers of very thin plastic, which defends,” explains radar technician Nand Maas of LVNL. “It didn’t look anymore and started leaking.”
Maas sent the work on top of the tower. “It is not something we do every day, and very special to do,” he says. In addition to replacing the ball, a new radar was immediately placed. With this, air traffic control catches signals from aircraft and vehicles that ride on the ground. Despite the work, air traffic could continue as usual.
Precision work
No matter how special and fun the job is, it is certainly not to replace the Radome with a 121 meter high crane. “It is really precision work. You have little play to lower the radar to lower the ball. That is why the low wind force is so important,” says Dennis van der Worp supervisor.
“One of the challenges is that the work of the air traffic controllers continues to continue as usual. If the new Radome passes the tower, they have no view of one of the jobs in the tower for thirty seconds. We have to communicate that well.”
Second attempt
Travelers and employees at Schiphol look curiously at the unusual crowds around the tower. “Suddenly that hat was rid of the tower. A thing, isn’t it? You don’t experience that every day,” says Richard from Hoorn, who works at the fault service at Schiphol. During his work he occasionally comes to look and take a picture. “That beautiful new white thing shines nicely of course, so that will not be striking immediately.”
Text continues under the photo.