Temporary/mobile control towers

[niknak]

We have no suitable standby facility to provide an ATC service from if our Control Tower building burnt down or was destroyed.

A swift Google search seems to indicate that most providers of temporary facilities seem to reside outside Europe, does anyone know of any such providers in the UK or Europe?
Has anyone in the UK or Europe ever called upon their services?

Thanks.

[On the beach]

How about using "Control Mobile" and a handheld transceiver plus a mobile phone to co-ordinate. As an interim, obviously.

I don't know where you work but if it's at a UK airport you could always try using the apron control facilities of the airport operator as another option.

Have a look here also :

Welcome to ATC Global 10 - Air Traffic Management & Air Traffic Control Exhibition & Conference

There are generally 2 or 3 exhibitors with mock-ups at the show. Sorry, I don't have manufacturers names to hand but there always used to be several UK companies who manufactured mobile towers, mostly geared towards the military. I'm sure someone else on here can supply names though.

On the beach

[man friday]

at Gib were awaiting the delivery of the RAF TARDIS( portable Approach radar) and portable VCR set up as a result of the need to refurb a very old tower building.

expecting to be operating aps and adi/adv for a number of months in this temp set up.

not sure where the RAF sourced the kit, but hopefully it should do the job

[Spitoon]

I think Lydd has got a pretty permanent one. Getting approval from the CAA may be tricky - but not impossible by any means if you take the right approach.

[chiglet]

Manch has an old caravan for an emergency VCR...[I used it in anger 20+ years ago, as Tower ATSA]

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Heathrow's first one was an RCV too. I was in the first team to use it and it was a dreadful nightmare!!

[west lakes]

Slightly related (and a bit of ATC history - perhaps)

Many years ago Deancross VOR (DCS) was moved from it's original ,location. I suspect this was to move flights away from Sellafield.
It was relocated approx 8nm NNE into 2 tempoary caravans before it was established at it's present location 9.5 nm from the original site

The original equipment building still exists and is used as a store building for an motocross track!

As regards towers I'm sure I was told that the new tower at Newquay is a temporary structure

[slackie]

This is our mobile tower...basically a converted shipping container...but works well...has 2x radios, ATIS, cdma AFTN connection, even a kitchen sink (fridge cutlery crokery etc).

[Minesthechevy]

<<The original equipment building still exists and is used as a store building for an motocross track!>>

West Lakes, I guess that's called re-cycling .... sorry.

HD, I seem to remember that when I went to LL in 8?4? I was told that the old caravan had only just been taken away but it had to be towed because of a seized engine.

What has happened to the 'old' tower at KK now? ISTR that it was due for demolition for the T2 'upgrade'.

[Cookie7]

When the International Airshow comes to Avalon every odd-numbered year - '07, '09 and so on, are operations actioned from a mobile tower? Having been twice, I barely remember where ops were done from as I was enthralled by Pip Borrman in his Edge and the lucky buggers driving the F-111.
Anyways, back to the subject of mobile towers!

[chevvron]

Manston had a temporary VCR when it first became a civil licenced airport; I think the old RAF tower wasn't suitably positioned for the CAAs liking.
The RAF have several mobile VCRs and radars; the VCRs can be tower only (small size) or combined TWR/APR (normal container size)

[no slots]

I think you will find the temporary VCR at Manston is still there 11 years later.Seeing as it was only meant to be for 2 years its done quite well, tho if anybody farts close by it will rock and roll like a ferry in a force 9.

[ATCO Tree]

Niknak

Try this link. These are they guys contracted to provide the RAF ones just now.

[John Hill]

Hmmmm.... I did once try to get our company interested in developing movable "control towers" which would be comprised of three shipping containers one of which would have removable sides to expose the glazed cab, the other two containers would be briefing/office and the third generator/air con etc. They would be stackable if there was a suitable crane available and stable foundations.

Somehow I could never get the project off the ground.