The Federal Aviation Administration flight inspection team from Atlantic City, New Jersey, recently certified the Watertown International Airport’s newly minted navigation aid designed to assist pilots landing in poor visibility conditions.
The team, flying in a Beechcraft Super King Air, performed both a daytime and a nighttime inspection at different approach paths and angles of the new navigation aid to Runway 28 at the Watertown International Airport.
The navigation aid, known as a medium intensity approach lighting system with runway alignment indicators (MALSR), will be operated and maintained by the airport. The system is one of a very small number of brand-new approach lighting systems being installed in the nation. The new associated instrument approach procedure, which pilots will use to approach a landing at the airport, is published and available to pilots for immediate use.
“The project has been a lengthy planning, programing and certification process, and we are thankful for our federal partners for assisting us in getting this project completed,” said Grant W. Sussey, director of aviation at the Watertown International Airport. “A special thank you to the FAA New York Airports District Office and the FAA Tech Ops team in Syracuse for providing the guidance for this system and continued support in keeping the runway 7 approach lighting system in service.”
Chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Legislators William Johnson said, “This project is an important one for our airport and I am glad to see it lighted up and this will go a long way in improving safety and access to our airport.”
