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Everything Under Control
Piers H and J

Calling All Apron Controllers!

Apron controllers observe everything that moves on an airport’s apron, taxiways, and runways. They keep a vigilant eye on the complex traffic situation and give the pilots instructions. Especially at Germany’s largest airport, this calls for a good view – after all, in 2019 an average of 1,400 aircraft took off and landed here every day. Since the new Terminal 3 also means that there will be more ground traffic in the south of the airport, a new apron control tower has been built.

Working at a lofty height

The apron controllers will need to monitor a area spanning a total of five-and-a-half square kilometers. That’s why a nearly 70-meter-tall tower has been built for them at Pier H. From its top, the controllers will have an excellent view of the surrounding area. Inwardly slanting panes underneath and a wide range of technical aids will let them keep an eye on everything and ensure that traffic flows safely on the apron.

Up, Up and Away

The first four levels are integrated in Pier H, and above that the tower continues on up to a height of nearly 70 meters. From the fifth level up, it was built with the aid of “climbing formwork”. The outer walls of each level were created by pouring concrete directly into the formwork. After the concrete had cured, a 65-meter-tall crane raised it is so work could proceed at the next-higher level. To let it reach the upper levels, the crane’s base was gradually raised to a height of 20 meters. The operators had to do their jobs with millimeter precision at a dizzying height.

The first four levels of the control tower are integrated in a pier.

The apron control tower grows skyward to reach its final height of nearly 70 meters.

With the aid of “climbing formwork”, the same work sequence is repeated to build each successive level at an accelerating pace.

The turret extends out about six meters beyond the shaft of the tower.

The composite thermal insulation system is currently being installed on the apron control tower. To this end, the facade is first insulated. The next step will be reinforcement and finishing plaster. 

The pulpit of the apron control tower was glazed.

Pier H and the apron control tower passed the official inspection in October 2024. 

Now the interior work on the pulpit continues.

The view that air traffic controllers will enjoy from the apron control tower.

Workplaces for eight air traffic controllers are being installed in the cab of Terminal 3’s new apron control tower.

From Level to Level

The advantage of climbing framework is that, because identical work steps repeat over and over again, the tower rises quickly. The first 12 levels mainly contain, apart from an elevator shaft and a stairwell, the required equipment and systems. The turret, which extends outward by about six meters from the tower body, comprises levels 13 and 14. It is where the apron traffic controllers work, surrounded by slanted glass panes so they can visually monitor a 300-degree area around Terminal 3. It’s especially important for them to have an unhindered view of the apron. (A level of the apron control tower is created.)

Related Topics : Under Control at all Times

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