NCAR Breaks Ground on New Aircraft Facility

Construction started this month on a major National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) facility, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), that will support aircraft flown on scientific field projects worldwide, leading to new advances in weather, climate, and air quality research.

Officials with NCAR, NSF, and the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) today broke ground on the $22 million construction project at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield. The new building — which replaces a dated, half-century-old structure at NCAR’s Research Aviation Facility — is expected to open its doors by the end of the year.

"This state-of-the-art building will enable us to better support vital field campaigns here in Colorado and around the globe, leading to improved forecasts to protect life and property," said UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi. "We are very appreciative of the National Science Foundation and Congress for their investment in this critical scientific infrastructure.