The Pemberton Regional Airport’s Airport Weather Observation System (AWOS III) is now fully operational, said a Monday (Feb. 4) press release from the Village of Pemberton.

The AWOS III will be a valuable tool for pilots and flight dispatchers, said the release, as it features a “suite of weather sensors” providing real-time critical information when it comes to planning flight routes, takeoffs and landings.

“The data output includes current temperature, dew point, wind speed and direction, altimeter, visibility and cloud height and type,” said the release. “This data can be accessed by radio, and as far as 30 miles out from the airport.”

The completed system is the latest improvement at the airport with an eye to bringing more air traffic through Pemberton, as the sale of avgas became available recently at the facility as well.

“With the provision of this data, our hopes are to see an increase in air traffic, which will equate to an increase of visitors to the corridor,” said Pemberton Mayor Jordan Sturdy in the release. “The potential economic benefits and opportunities are vast.”

Installation of the AWOS III has been a longstanding objective for the village, which joined the provincial Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Blackcomb Aviation, Whistler Blackcomb and Tourism Whistler as organizations providing funding for the system.

“The new AWOS system at the Pemberton Regional Airport is a great example of partners working together to benefit the airport, the community and the region, and helping to grow the aviation sector in our province,” said Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Mary Polak in the release.

Visit www.pemberton.ca to access real-time data from the AWOS III.