Cura's new ball is once again scanning the Pla de Mallorca

Palm"It's such luck that they've put the ball back up because I left the house just now and I couldn't find Cura." A resident of Algaida, taking advantage of the pleasant morning weather for a walk up to Mount Randa, was perhaps ironically commenting on the absence of an element that has defined the silhouette of the Pla de Mallorca since its installation in the early 1990s. In fact, the "mysterious disappearance" of the ball from the region was first reported on October 25th.

Early this morning, ENAIRE, the company that manages air navigation for the Spanish state through Aena, took advantage of the favorable weather conditions to install the new radar dome. The installation of the radome, the term used in aeronautical and telecommunications terminology to describe radar coverage, was not easy and presented some complexity. The element, made up of 150 plates, weighs 3,300 kilograms. In fact, two cranes of different sizes were needed, along with the work of operators to move the dome in two separate maneuvers to expedite the process. The installation of this protective cover for the aircraft radar antenna system was a success. Since the removal of the old dome began, a new structure has been erected to house a temporary radar, which will be removed. The new tower that supported it will remain in place for future interventions or maintenance. The AENA-ENAIRE facilities in Cura are important for air traffic control in the Balearic Islands. Up there is the Algaida Primary and Secondary Surveillance Radar (PSR/SSR), a facility, as mentioned, managed by ENAIRE, which helps monitor and coordinate aircraft passing through our airspace. Its location, at an altitude of 538.4 meters, allows it to have a wide view over Mallorca and the surrounding sea. The radar is part of a state network essential for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of flights in the Islands.