We saw Sydney Control Tower Number 5 in the previous shot, but by no means all of it. Since I had the 40 to 150 mm lens on to capture aircraft from a long distance, getting a good shot of the tower without swapping lenses was always going to be a problem. And I didn't have time to do that because I was late already anyway.

This image will have to suffice, then. At least it gives you an idea of the very distinctive architecture of the tower.

The tower came about when the 3rd runway (which I described in the main description to this gallery) started to be constructed in 1989. The former air traffic control tower no longer had visibility over the entire airport, so a new one had to be constructed. Since the location (which can be seen in the 2nd map image in this gallery) was alongside one of the main arterial roads, it was going to be a landmark regardless of how it was designed. The architect, Ken Woolley decided that he'd make it a good one and, aesthetically speaking at least, he certainly achieved that. (Since I've never been inside it and unfortunately probably never will, I can't speak to its practicality. However I've not heard any complaints about it.)

Surprisingly, construction did not begin until August 1993, the year before the 3rd runway opened. That was cutting it rather fine and in fact the tower was not commissioned until 6 January 1996.

The cabin roof is 42.85 m from ground level, and was designed to be supported by a central column which avoids interruption to the sightlines by external columns. As you can see from this shot, there is very little to disrupt the 360° view for the controllers. The circular pods around the outside are part of the amenities and equipment level.