Waterloo Air Traffic Control Tower
In 2023 a total of 142,000 aircraft movements were recorded by the Control Tower, making it the 8th busiest airport by aircraft movements. The bulk of aircraft are light recreational and training aircraft. With the longest runway being 7000 feet, the airport easily accommodates an increasing number of business class executive jets basing at the airport, and the scheduled Westjet, Sunwing and Flair airlines Boeing 737 traffic.
While listening to the Waterloo Control Tower feed, you may not hear constant transmissions. During poor weather, high winds, and during the winter months, traffic volumes will decline. When the visibility is less than 3 miles, or when there is a cloud based ceiling of less than 1000 feet, recreational and training aircraft flights will be limited. Traditionally, January and February record the lowest traffic volumes, however, during the summer, complete frequency saturation is not uncommon.
Below is an aerial map that may help to visualize the flow of traffic. The yellow dots depict the path of an aircraft flying a typical left hand circuit to Runway 26 (all turns within the circuit are to the left). Each leg of the circuit has a label. These labels, ‘left downwind’, ‘left base’ etc. are routinely heard as aircraft report their position, and controllers instruct aircraft how to approach the airport for landing . There is also a right hand circuit for runway 26 (not labeled), and identical patterns when other runways are in use.
Scanned Frequencies
Tower Air Control – 126.0 MHz
Tower Ground Control – 121.8 MHz
Airport Operations – P25 Phase II DEC 5816
During expected low traffic periods and/or poor flying conditions, Air and Ground Control positions will collapse to a single controller operation. The controller will ‘couple’ the two frequencies together.
To listen, press ‘Play’ to start. If ‘Pause’ is used, reload page for live feed.
Waterloo Tower - AIR Control
Waterloo Tower - GROUND Control
Although Nav Canada (a private, not-for-profit corporation) provides all air traffic control services, the Region of Waterloo is responsible for day-to-day maintenance and operation of the airport. This includes ensuring runways, taxiways and the entire field is maintained to standards established by Transport Canada.
In addition to maintenance, snow clearing etc, the Region of Waterloo provides on field emergency services. All maintenance and emergency service communications are available from the audio player below.
On those rare occasions of an on-field emergency, Airport Operations and Ground Control frequency will be busiest.
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