Slemon Park will soon have an automated weather observing system (AWOS) installed on-site to provide real-time weather reports for users of the aviation facility. The purpose of the AWOS is to measure wind velocity, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, cloud height and visibility through automated sensors. In addition to gathering weather information, the system will be capable of delivering it to pilots by means of a computer synthesized voice.
Anyone interested in current weather conditions, including pilots on incoming flights, can access weather reports for Slemon Park airfield. The information will also be accessible by telephone for flight planning.
“This investment in infrastructure will not only benefit the aerospace industry that already exists in Slemon Park, but it will be another attractive feature for future investment by other potential aerospace companies looking to locate or do business in Slemon Park,” said Development and Technology Minister, Mike Currie.
“Without automated weather data, an airport cannot operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) conditions, and this can cost money in lost landing fees and services,” said Slemon Park Spokesperson. “The installation of the AWOS equipment should allow for the attraction of additional air traffic and increase revenues from landing fees, fuel sales and storage.”
The installation of the AWOS equipment will trigger a Transport Canada approval of a Differential GPS Landing System.
Slemon Park intends to add additional technical weather forecast equipment to further enhance the safety and marketability of the airport by December 2004.
Slemon Park Corporation is a private corporation dedicated to providing local solutions for some of the world’s finest organizations in the aviation, aerospace, commercial and light industrial sectors.
Some of the best-known names in aerospace have chosen to establish and grow their businesses in Slemon Park, PEI. The companies include: Honeywell, CAE, Atlantic Turbines International Inc., Wiebel Aerospace, Testori Americas Corp., Helipro International, and MDS-PRAD Technologies Corp.
The aerospace sector represents over 25 per cent of total international exports and is PEI’s second largest exporter. Aerospace has grown dramatically to be one of the province’s largest industries. Slemon Park Corporation and Prince Edward Island Business Development Inc. will share the cost to install the new weather systems. The total cost of the project is $139,000.