The new air-traffic control tower at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is making noticeable progress as glass is being installed this week in the tower cab. Sixteen 7-foot by 7-foot panels weighing between 750 and 775 pounds each are being lifted by crane 120 feet to cab level. The glass arrived from Denver, Colorado, last week, after making frequent stops en route to ensure proper depressurization. Without multiple stops, the insulated thermal panes could squeeze together, causing rub marks and distorted views for air-traffic controllers. Manufactured by Oldcastle Glass in Denver, the specialty glass is laminated to keep the glass from falling to the ground if damaged once installed.

Darryl Bizub, a glazier for Omni Glass and Paint in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, said there is a greater degree of difficulty when installing glass in towers. “Because of the height, and rain, lightning, and wind, we have limitations, but it really feels like we accomplish something when we walk away at the end of the day.”

Omni contracted with Oldcastle to provide the glass. Darryl said that while Oldcastle has a manufacturing facility 100 miles from Oshkosh in Wausau, Wisconsin, the glass was too large to be manufactured there. Bizub said he expects the cab to be enclosed by end of day Friday, May 9, “if we have another nice day like today.” Bizub said there isn’t any room for error. “The glass is very expensive; we don’t have any extra panels.”