By CAROL REYNOLDS
Correspondent

SPRINWATER (sic) - Curious spectators collected off and on last week to catch a glimpse of the action during the replacement of the dome over the antenna at the FAA Long Range Radar facility on Springwater Town Line Road. The complex engineering feat began with construction of an elaborate 50 foot high circular scaffold used to construct the new dome and dismantle the old one. The experience of the well tuned crew was obvious as they performed each step with methodical precision, on this, their final installation of nearly 100 similar replacements across the country.

Looking somewhat like a "jolly green giant`s golf ball," the original fiber glass dome was suffering from 30 plus years of exposure to the weather and especially the harsh northern winters. The present antenna was built inside the old dome to protect the antenna`s major components and became visible for the first time the one day needed to make the switch.

The wind was a critical factor in the movement of both domes. The hill is highly susceptible to high wind gusts so the crew had to wait for a lull before attempting to lift either bubble, each weighing nearly 7 tons. Clearing the fragile antenna grid as well as the scaffolding took a steady hand at the controls of the crane from the Southern Tier Crane Co. who accomplished the job with apparent ease.

The facility is part of the National Air Space program and is used to provide radar data for the control of aircraft between airports for the safety of all air traffic. It is not a military facility, although data generated by the facility is utilized by the Air Force.