Expansion of Nanaimo Airport means more flights and better reliability
Located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in BC, the Nanaimo Airport serves an area with a population of about 220,000. The airport is a major economic driver for the region, and that role recently expanded with the completion of the first phase of an expansion project. The three part upgrade will not only bring new economic opportunities to the island, but also brings the potential of more flight options with access to long-haul flights without having to transfer planes in Vancouver for those travelling to and from Nanaimo.
Phase 1 of the expansion project included a 487 metre extension to the north, a parallel taxiway and new instrument landing system (ILS). The longer runway enables the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and the installation of high-intensity lightingon the runway means that incoming planes will be able to land inall but the worst weather conditions, improving reliability of flights.
The existing airport was rated as a non-precision airport with approach limits of 2.5 miles (4 kilometres) and a 600 foot (183 metre) ceiling. As a result of the new lighting and instrumentation systems, the limits are now 1 mile (1.6 kilometres) approach limits and 338 foot (103 metre) ceiling, for commercial air operators.
Associated Engineering provided electrical, lighting, and structural engineering services for the project. The lighting system uses a unique backup power system which also allows departures in visibilities down to 1200 feet (366 metres) where previously 2600 feet (763 metres) was the limit. It also makes Nanaimo the only small airport in Canada to be in complete compliance with the reduced visibility departure requirements of Transport Canada. The system we devised allows the runways lights to remain operational for up to fifteen minutes in the event of a power failure. Senior Electrical Technician Doug Falkins advises, "This system is the first of its kind at a regional airport in Canada and ensures that power to the runway lights is never interrupted."
A new computer control lighting system allows air traffic controllers one button operation of all airport lighting systems based on prevailing visibility and wind conditions.
LED lighting systems for the taxiways and runway guard lights reduce the amount of power used by the airport. 45 watt incandescent lamps have been replaced by 7 watt LED units.
In addition to the lighting systems, Associated Engineering was responsible for the structural design for the new powerhouse for the lighting systems, foundations for the approach lighting systems which sit in the floodplain of Haslam Creek, and the foundations for the instrument landing system buildings and antennas.
Since the opening on December 17, 2009, more than 40 Air Canada Jazz flights have been able to land which would have otherwise been cancelled due to poor weather conditions.
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