Story ID: 
Austin Executive To Receive New Tower
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: Built with private funding, the new 55 foot tower will increase safety at the business aviation airport.
Word Count: 171
Privately owned Austin Executive Airport (EDC) has broken ground on a new control tower, which it says will provide an added level of safety for operators and reduce runway congestion. Established in 2011, the airport is located 15 minutes from downtown Austin and caters to solely to business and general aviation.

“We are very excited to see how the airport has grown over the last six years,” said EDC's executive director Andrew Perry. “The control tower is currently under construction and expected to be fully operational during the latter part of 2017.”

According to airport manager Jodie Kaluza, the privately funded tower is 55 feet tall with a hexagonal cab. Once completed, it will be staffed with controllers provided by Advanced ATC and operational from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m, 365 days a year.

The construction is the latest development in the master plan at the airport, which includes a 6,025-foot runway; the Henriksen Jet Center FBO with an 18,000-sq-ft arrivals canopy and 113,000 sq ft of hangar space.