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Where can one tour a Control Tower ?

• Thread starter IlyaK18
• Start date Dec 4, 2013
• Dec 4, 2013

Hello all, Would anyone know where I can get a tour of a tower. I live in the NYC area, so any airport in the neighboring states would be great. I know they have events and seminars that give the tours, so if anyone knows of such event coming up please let me know . Thank you!  

Final Approach

They really don't "give tours." You can usually get a tour of any control tower except at a Bravo airport. So, just call up the tower (at White Plains or Danbury or Morristown or Caldwell or Islip or Farmingdale) and ask if you can come over. If you cannot find the phone number easily, call a FBO on the field and ask for the number. I have never been turned away when just going to the base of a Delta tower, pressing the intercom, and asking if I can come up. Once there, the one or two guys (almost always) will continue their work and also show you around their equipment. You'll be surprised how out-of-date they are. You probably shouldn't stay longer than a half-hour. I like to bring a tin of cookies or box of chocolates. But that is me.  

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IlyaK18 said: Hello all, Would anyone know where I can get a tour of a tower. Click to expand...

Pre-takeoff checklist

My EAA chapter toured KRIC. It was really cool. We just called and arranged a time.  

Touchdown! Greaser!

call the tower and ask if they can let you check it out. i've only been to one tower and it was JFK about 5 months ago. a guy at my church who just retired from the tower took us up and also took us to the TRACON building. it was an awesome experience. The controllers were super friendly and they took time to answer my questions after they were done giving vectors and headings of course! i'm sure if you go to KFRG, KISP, and other local towers, they will find time to accommodate you  

Toured KPWK....once I set up a call myself, other time was with a flight school. Toured KDPA with a flight school.....maybe call a local school and see if they have any tours coming up  

• Dec 5, 2013

I know my CFI gave kids tour of the tower at FRG and I've known other students who have toured it with their CFIs. Ask your CFI if they can take you to your local tower. Another CFI at my school works for the TRACON and has offered to give me a tour but I haven't taken him up on it yet. Shame on me.  

Line Up and Wait

• Dec 6, 2013

A few years ago, my aviation professor gave our entire class a tour of the control tower at Republic Airport when I was in my first semester at Farmingdale State. It was cool. Even a few more years before that, Morristown Airport had an open house and let us tour the Morristown Airport control tower. So yes, a tour of a control tower can be done.  

My wife and I (girlfriend at the time) got to tour the KSAF tower. We were sitting there looking at the door (its inside the terminal) and I said "Hmm....wonder if they'd let us in?" So I called, and they walked us up and showed us around. Easy peasy.  

comanchepilot

If you are a pilot . . . I have a deal for you . . . Fly to New Bedford, MA. EWB. A nice trip most VFR days. Call the control tower in advance to make sure they have people assigned that can handle a tour. By calling ahead of time you will know there is availability of time and staff - plus - they have GREAT restaurant on the field . . . kill 2 birds with one store.  

• Dec 7, 2013

Got a tour of Honolulu Control Facility (joint civil/military) including the simulator room and tracon a few months ago. Pretty cool to watch the 3D simulation (350 degree wraparound screens) and then go up to see how the real thing compares.  

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The Tower at Boeing Field

The Tower's interactive exhibits engage visitors in the many ways air traffic controllers keep air travelers safe in the busy skies. Visitors can learn how pilots communicate and work with people on the ground to navigate through traffic at airports and stay safely separated from other airplanes including the new FAA NextGen technology and processes that improve Air Traffic Control and passenger experience. Visitors can view the King County International Airport (KCIA) airfield from the best vantage point in the Museum. They can also hear the KCIA air traffic controllers and pilots as they approach and land at the airport.

In addition to exhibits about air traffic control, four exhibits about flight are featured on the bridge leading to the Tower. These exhibits highlight current ideas about the evolution and biomechanics of animal flight, basic concepts of physics applied to flight, the history of human flight and our planet’s weather and how it affects flight. The flight path visualization artwork at the entrance to the Tower is Flight Patterns by Aaron Koblin.

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Pilot Proficiency

Visit Air Traffic Control

A face-to-face chat with atc can reduce cockpit stress..

(Mark Brouwer/Creative Commons)

Are you one of many pilots intimidated by the invisible voices behind the avionics panel? Well, if you are, there is a magic action you can take to overcome your fear. It is as simple as scheduling a visit to a local air traffic control tower or Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

By meeting the people behind the invisible voices you will find that they are nowhere near as intimidating as they may appear. Air traffic controllers are people like you and me whose job it is to keep you and other fliers safe, and to help you when in need. Visiting their facilities not only will reduce any stress over ATC communications, it will also bring a better understanding of how you as a pilot can reduce any stress the controllers may experience. You will learn what the invisible voices see and why their commands make sense. And you may also learn what procedures and means of communications the controllers in your local area prefer and what their pet peeves are.

Tower and TRACON visits happen on a case-by-case basis and the rules vary from facility to facility. If you decide you want to visit a tower on a whim, you can ask the ground controller if they have time for a visit. You may get lucky and get up right away. However, generally you need to schedule a visit by calling the phone number listed for the tower.

TRACONs are a little more challenging to get into. The SoCal TRACON, for example, generally schedules monthly tours for pilots and other interested parties. However, currently that facility is under a moratorium for at least a couple of months, a SoCal TRACON representative said. The FAASTeam also schedules TRACON tours, when available; but these tours are infrequent and have to be booked several weeks in advance. So you can either track the FAASTeam availability for the TRACON facility nearest you or call the local TRACON directly to see whether they are offering tours.

If you are able to schedule your appointment, make sure to get clear instructions on how to access the facility and what you need to bring. Some facilities may require proof of citizenship, but generally any government issued identification card will do.

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• Tour of the Air Traffic Control Tower at IAD

I was invited to tour the control tower at Dulles International Airport (KIAD) today with our friends at Smokehouse Pilots Club . This was an amazing experience for pilots and non-pilots alike! The tower reaches to 325 feet above ground level at its highest point and provides amazing 360° views across Northern Virginia. The tower was dedicated in 2007 replacing the historic original tower located above the main terminal that was in operation since the airport opened in 1962.

Here are some quick details regarding the new air traffic control tower at Dulles International Airport:

Statistics about the new Airport Traffic Control Tower

• Location: About 1 mile south of the original tower
• Structure: Cast-in-place concrete shaft, topped by an FAA Standard 850 square foot cab
• Height: 300 feet to cab level, 325 feet at highest point 
• Base building: 16,500 square feet on two levels

Construction Details:

• Contract Dates: Awarded December 2003.  Structural Shell Completed 2005.  Operational 2007.
• Contractors: Jacobs Facilities, Inc – Structural Shell Design.  Smoot Construction – Structural Shell Construction.
• Program Cost: $63.5 million

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Art of the Airport Tower takes you on a photographic journey to airports in the United States and around the globe. Smithsonian photographer Carolyn Russo explores the varied forms and functions of air traffic control towers throughout aviation history and interprets them as monumental abstractions, symbols of cultural expression, and testimonies of technological change. These 50 images bring a heightened awareness to the simple beauty of the airport tower and a call for their preservation in the airport landscape.

Often the first impression travelers have when they reach a new destination is the tower, and each tower tells a unique and important story about its airport, community, and culture. Visitors to the Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in Sweden are greeted by two lookout points perched like birds at the top of the control tower to evoke protective ravens from Nordic mythology. The crescent-shaped tower at the Abu Dhabi International Airport resembles the sail of a dhow boat to emphasize the area’s proud maritime heritage. Historic towers, such as the Ford Island Tower that withstood the attack on Pearl Harbor, provide a glimpse into earlier aviation eras. Collectively these towers represent many countries and cultures. They play a pivotal role in the vast network of air traffic control technology that brings people of the world closer together.

Russo’s striking photographs and informative captions reveal the architectural, cultural, and technological significance of each of the featured towers. This one-of-a-kind view of airport towers will change the way you think about flight.

The Art of the Airport Tower has been generously sponsored by the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), Air Traffic Control Association (ATCA), Harris Corporation, Rockwell Collins, Saab, and Thales, with in-kind support from Epson America, Inc., and Manfrotto.

Art of the Airport Tower is now travelling to international locations. Learn more and see tour specifications.

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Birmingham Airport, United Kingdom (BHX/EGBB) The Birmingham Airport (formerly Elmdon Airport) opened on July 8, 1939. It served as a flight school and test center during World War II. Today the airport serves over nine million people a year with just a single runway. Its new control tower, which replaced Elmdon Airport's original one in 2012, stands 33 meters (108 feet) high. The cab, the tower section where the controllers work, has heated windows to evaporate water for better visibility.

Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Texas, United States (AFW/KAFW) "Alliance" refers to the public-private partnership of the three entities responsible for designing and developing Fort Worth Airport: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the city of Fort Worth, and Ross Perot Jr.'s company, Hillwood. It is the world's first 100 percent industrial airport—used for civil and military cargo, commercial, corporate, and other noncommercial flights. Situated on 485 hectares (1,198 acres), the airport's runway can accommodate the world's largest cargo planes. Albert Halff Associates designed the control tower, which was built in 1992. The cone-shaped feature, reminiscent of a bird's beak, hides the tower's microwave signal relay equipment.

Edinburgh Airport, Scotland, United Kingdom (EDI/EGPH) Originally a military airport, Edinburgh Airport opened to commercial aviation in 1977. It is now Scotland's second largest airport after Glasgow. Edinburgh's new control tower took 15 months to complete and opened in 2005. It stands 57 meters (187 feet) high, which equals 12 double-decker buses stacked on top of one another. The exterior's crisscrossed, double-helix pattern is not just for aesthetics. It also functions as a system of drainage channels. The 9,216 zinc tiles were hand-installed and have aged naturally in the outside environment, reducing the need for maintenance.

Edwards Air Force Base, California, United States (EDW/KEDW) Rogers Dry Lake in California's Mojave Desert served as the Muroc Bombing and Gunnery Range in the 1930s. During World War II, the site became a training base. Later, new and top-secret aircraft were tested here. Edwards Air Force Base is home to many aviation "firsts" and countless records, and it served as a landing site for the space shuttle. The airport tower has two High Rise Escape Systems (HRES) for air traffic controllers in the event of an emergency. Each HRES consists of a harness shaped like an over-sized pantsuit, and a descent device that lowers the evacuee safely to the ground.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Virginia, United States (DCA/KDCA) In 1938, President Franklin Roosevelt chose Gravelly Point on the Potomac River as the site of a new airport for the nation's capital. Washington National Airport opened in June 1941. In 1997 a new tower was built in a post-modernist style. Designed by César Pelli and Associates, it stands 61 meters (201 feet) tall. It originally had a white dome on top that housed ground-radar equipment. However, buildings in nearby Crystal City, Virginia, caused a radar echo, or "ghost," so the dome was moved to a ground location on the airfield. Congress renamed DCA "Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport" in 1998.

Oslo Airport, Norway (OSL/ENGM) Gardermoen is one of Norway's oldest airports. It served as a flight training center and an alternative to the Fornebu airport near Oslo. It was redeveloped and reopened in 1998 as Oslo's primary airport. Gudmund Stokke designed the metal, wood, and glass terminal. Displayed throughout the airport is art representing Norway's creative diversity. Carin Wessel used 30,000 meters (98,425 feet) of thread to create the impression of clouds and webs. Sidsel Westbo etched the glass walls with "sound showers" that make soothing sounds when passengers walk underneath them. Aviaplan won the design competition for the 92-meter (302-foot) control tower.

Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, Sweden (ARN/ESSA) The Stockholm-Arlanda Airport control tower is probably one of the first to double as a wedding location, where couples can pay for a marriage ceremony. Designed by Gert Wingårdh, the 83-meter (272-foot) tower was completed in 2001. There are two control cabs, perched like birds atop the shaft. They symbolize Hugin and Minun, two ravens from Nordic mythology, who were sent out to watch over the world. On the black and white bands, Finnish artist Silja Rantanen superimposed 2,500 words from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's classic 1929 aviation book  Southern Mail .

Dubai International, United Arab Emirates (DXB/OMDB) Dubai's airport began with a terminal, fire station, and single runway of compacted sand. It has steadily grown to emerge as one of the world's major airports. It now has two CAT III B instrument landing systems for low visibility conditions and runways large enough to handle the Airbus A380, the world's largest airliner. The 87-meter (285-foot) airport traffic control tower, with its buttressed center column and arched wings, resembles a futuristic avian sculpture. A multilevel control center crowns the tower, with Dubai Air Navigation Services operating from its perch.

Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport, United Arab Emirates (DWC/OMDW) Dubai World Central Airport, also known as Al Maktoum International Airport, is the world's first purpose-built aerotropolis a new form of urban planning that places the airport at the center. The control tower, commissioned in 2010, stands 91 meters (299 feet) tall. A second tower, 300 meters (394 feet) tall, is also planned. The "flower" design concept is a minimal square "stem" flanked by four curved "petals." The petals fan out at the tower base to provide stability, and the "bloom" at the top supports the double-level control cab. Luminous gold-tinted glazing adorns the tower.

United Arab Emirates (AUH/OMAA) This is the only tower in the world that takes the form of a crescent. At 109 meters (358 feet) tall, it stands between parallel runways. The crescent design stems from the area's maritime heritage. It represents the sail of a dhow boat, a cultural icon and welcoming symbol to visitors. Abu Dhabi International Airport opened in 1968 on an island just off the Arabian Peninsula. A new airport opened on the mainland in 1982. Some 126 million passengers have traversed its halls.

Abu Dhabi International Airport, United Arab Emirates (AUH/OMAA)  Designed by the French architecture firm ADPI, this tower was completed in 2011 after only 629 days of work. At the peak of construction, 1,200 workers were on site 24 hours a day. More than 70 kilometers (44 miles) of cabling run up the central column, sandwiched between high-speed elevators that ascend to the 20th story in 55 seconds. The east and west facades are covered by ethylene tetrafluoroethylene panels, a transparent polymer material. They allow for interior sunlight during the day and provide a glowing effect at night.

LaGuardia Airport, New York, United States LaGuardia's Art Deco Marine Air Terminal is one of the oldest terminals in the United States. Designed by William Delano under the New Deal Work Projects Administration, it opened in 1940. The 1964 tower was designed by Wallace K. Harrison, famous for his 1939 World's Fair sculptures, Rockefeller Center, Lincoln Center, and the United Nations headquarters. The New York Times referred to the whimsically designed tower as "a design for a giant ice cream cone." In 2010 a new tower superseded the old one. The upper section of the original 46-meter (150-foot) tower was removed because it obstructed the new tower's view.

Barcelona El-Prat Airport, Spain 1965 Barcelona's first airport, an airfield at El Remolar, opened in 1916. It relocated in 1918 to El-Prat. Initially used by the Aeroclub of Catalonia, it also became the base for the Spanish navy's fleet of airships. Barcelona El-Prat began commercial air service in 1927 and is now the second largest airport in Spain, after Madrid. It has undergone several transformations over the years. Two of its three towers are no longer in service. Designed by Eduardo Aguirre, this one from 1965 stands 15 meters (50 feet) tall.

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Simple Flying

The faa has opened its new control tower at charlotte airport.

The busiest airport in North Carolina has opened a new 370-foot-tall air traffic control tower

Charlotte Douglas International Airport has inaugurated a new control tower. The US Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration dedicated a long-anticipated air traffic control tower at the nation's sixth-busiest airport.

The new structure stands at 370 feet, debuting at the No. 2 spot among the tallest towers in the United States. Federal Aviation Administration Deputy Administrator A. Bradley Mims expressed excitement at the dedication today, commenting,

“Aviation is an invaluable part of our American life and our national economy. The new, taller control tower will enable the airport to continue to expand its flight operations to grow alongside the vibrant Charlotte economy.”

The upgraded Air Traffic Control Tower and radar approach control is located on the airfield's south side and stands twice as high as the 150-foot tall 1979 tower it is replacing.

The new tower is the second-highest in the nation.

The tower has an 850-square-foot tower cab that provides air traffic controllers with a 360-degree view of the airfield. The base comprises a 42,000-square-foot building with an expanded terminal radar approach control (TRACON) for flights departing and arriving in the Charlotte airspace.

The new Charlotte tower replaced a existing tower that was commissioned in 1979. The facility's operational growth, new air traffic control technology and the Airport's addition of new runways and taxiways made the height and size of the old tower obsolete.

The new tower is the fifth-busiest tower in the world and the second-tallest FAA tower in the National Airspace System (NAS), ranking behind only the tower at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport , which stands at 398 feet.

"We are excited about the opening of the new FAA tower," said Haley Gentry, Chief Executive Officer of Charlotte International Airport. "It is a momentous occasion in the Airport's history as we continue to grow our operations and serve our rising passenger numbers. CLT is one of the busiest and fastest-growing airports in the world. The new tower will allow us to remain on course to building an airfield that will serve us for decades to come."

Seventh-highest tower in the world

Construction of the new tower commenced in the spring of 2016 to provide the FAA with enough height for air traffic controllers to have a clear view of the expanded airfield. The project cost an estimated $95 million in total The move will mean fewer delays as the upgraded systems are designed to improve the on-time performance of departing flights.

The tower ranks as the seventh highest in the world , nudging Vienna out of the top ten. The entire list of the world's tallest towers can be found below:

• Jeddah King Abdulaziz, Saudia Arabia – 136m/446ft
• Kulala Lumpur West Tower – 133m/ 438ft
• Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport – 132m/434ft
• Kulala Lumpur East Tower – 130m/427ft
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta – 121m/397ft
• Tokyo International – 115m/377ft
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport - 112m/370ft
• Guangzhou Baiyun international – 110m/361ft
• Cairo International – 110m/361ft
• Abu Dhabi International – 109m/357f
• Vienna International – 108m/354ft

The tower is home to 179 FAA employees and became operational in late February 2022.

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MacDill Air Traffic Control Tower Honored as Facility of the Year

Photo By Senior Airman Michael Killian | U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controllers assigned to the 6th Operation Control Squadron... ... read more read more

Photo By Senior Airman Michael Killian | U.S. Air Force Air Traffic Controllers assigned to the 6th Operation Control Squadron work at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, April. 8, 2024. The 6th OSS ATC tower won the ATC Tower of the year award in 2023 for among other things, overseeing 23 thousand aircraft sorties, and securing over $1.6 billion in assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Michael Killian)   see less | View Image Page

TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES

Story by senior airman michael killian  , 6th air refueling wing public affairs.

In a display of exemplary performance and unwavering dedication, the 6th Operations Support Squadron's Air Traffic Control Tower at MacDill Air Force Base was distinguished as the Air Traffic Control Facility of the Year. This prestigious award celebrates the tower's superior air traffic control capabilities, overseeing 23 thousand aircraft sorties and securing over $1.6 billion in assets, demonstrating seamless operations while ensuring the utmost safety and efficiency in managing the skies. The journey to this achievement was no solo flight, it was the result of every personnel within the tower working in unison. Their work, integral to the operations of MacDill AFB and beyond, ensures the safe passage of numerous aircraft, from advanced fighter jets to vital cargo planes. "This award is a reflection of the hard work and teamwork of every individual in the tower,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jantzen Scott, a 6th OSS air traffic control trainer. “It was all of our efforts combined throughout the entire year.” Throughout the past year, the squadron has faced numerous challenges, including managing several high-profile exercises. Their efforts have been instrumental in the successful handling of a wide range of aircraft, from fighter jets like the F-16 to every heavy aircraft in the Air Force's arsenal, as well as international jets. The tower's operations are a testament to the enduring spirit and dedication of its personnel, who have consistently gone above and beyond, especially during times of low manning. Perhaps one of the most crucial elements of this team’s mission is training the next generation of controllers. Marked by a rigorous and stress-tested environment, training highlights the importance of developing effective communication skills and teamwork. These foundational aspects ensure that each new controller is not only competent but excels under pressure, contributing to the tower's overarching goals. "We're going to train our trainees to work in that type of high-stress environment,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Minor, a 6th OSS chief controller, tower. “We aim to make the next generation better than the last." This recognition serves not only as a celebration of the past year's achievements but also as motivation for the 6th OSS to continue their pursuit of excellence. As they look to the future, their commitment to safety, efficiency and teamwork remains unwavering, setting a standard for air traffic control facilities across the Air Force and beyond.

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You can now take a tour of the old Stapleton International Airport control tower

DENVER — Denver’s iconic former Stapleton Airport control tower at Central Park will soon open for tours to the public.

Towering 164 feet above the city, the control tower once served as Denver’s main airport control tower before closing down in 1995 when Denver International Airport began operations.

As the former Stapleton Airport site transformed into the current Central Park development, the control tower sat vacant until 2017 when base of the building was transformed into a restaurant.

In August 2022, FlyteCo Tower, a brew pub, restaurant and entertainment venue took over the space.

Stapleton International Airport air traffic control tower tours kick off Wednesday, November 14 and continue each Wednesday for the foreseeable future, a representative told Denver7.Registration is required and each ticket costs $10. Tickets to the first tour on November 14 appeared to have been snagged up fairly quickly, but you can check eventbrite.com for additional dates. Organizers said the tower does not have elevator accommodations and the tour will require guests to climb 11 stories of stairs.

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“Once you reach the pinnacle of the tower, you'll be treated to unparalleled 360-degree views of the airport grounds, the surrounding cityscape, and the majestic Rocky Mountains in the distance. This vantage point offers fantastic photo opportunities for aviation enthusiasts and nature lovers alike,” the website said.

The last jet landed on February 27, 1995 signaling the end of an era for Stapleton International Airport and the Denver metro area. In 1998, the city of Denver chose a master developer to re-imagine the old airport property.

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Chicago O’Hare International Airport FAA South Air Traffic Control Tower

The new 207-foot tall South Air Traffic Control Tower (SATCT) and Base Building serves the new southernmost runway at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. EXP’s design provides a simple, economical and durable solution to meet the operational needs of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), while also addressing the desire of the Chicago Department of Aviation to create a sustainable, elegant and iconic image.

The most striking aspect of the design is the simple extruded shaft – a break from traditional slender-shaft bulb-top towers. The solution inverts conventional tower plans by pushing “core” elements (elevator/stairs/shaft) to the perimeter, opening the center of the tower for direct access underneath the cab from the junction level rooms. The result is a simple, durable and elegant design that has the flexibility to adapt to change as new technologies advance.

The project employs a number of sustainable strategies, including an extensive green roof and geothermal heating/cooling, and is only the third air traffic control tower in the US to achieve LEED Gold.

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The old Stapleton air traffic control tower is opening for tours next month

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For nearly three decades, the very top of the air traffic control tower at Denver's old airport in Central Park has remained closed to the public.

But starting Wednesday, Nov. 15, FlyteCo, the Brewery set up inside the building, will open the tower to tours. The $10 tours will run from 4 to 5:30 p.m., and people can sign up online .

The tower is 164 feet tall, and with no elevator, requires climbing 11 flights of stairs and attendees will have to sign waivers. Tour guides will provide aviation facts and history. The first tour appears to be sold out with only an option to join a waitlist.

"Once you reach the pinnacle of the tower, you'll be treated to unparalleled 360-degree views of the airport grounds, the surrounding cityscape, and the majestic Rocky Mountains in the distance," FlyteCo wrote. "This vantage point offers fantastic photo opportunities for aviation enthusiasts and nature lovers alike."

After years out of operation, Punch Bowl Social opened part of the tower with putt-putt greens and games in 2017, before closing during the pandemic. In 2022, the site reopened as FlyteCo Brewing, an aviation themed brewpub, full of airport history.

But the top of the tower has remained closed. It's a part of Denver history, a relic of the old airport that opened in 1929 under former Mayor Benjamin Stapleton. The tower was built in the 1960s.

A lot has changed since then: Denver has a completely new airport, which will reach 100 million passengers in the coming years . The neighborhood is now full of new houses and apartments, with ongoing development. And after the 2020 racial justice protests, the area is no longer called Stapleton , named after the mayor who was a Ku Klux Klan member. It's now called Central Park.

As for the remaining airport history, FlyteCo owners told Denverite in 2022 that they would like to open the upper part of the tower into a bar, with expansive views of the area. Denverite has reached out to FlyteCo for comment and more information. We'll update when we hear back.

Rebecca Tauber covers city council and transportation for Denverite. Before joining Colorado Public Radio, she worked at GBH News in Boston and KRBD in Ketchikan, Alaska. Rebecca grew up in Philly and graduated from Williams College. She loves journalism because it requires asking good questions and listening well.

You should email her with book recommendations and favorite restaurants, or if you ever want a freshly baked loaf of challah. News tips also welcome.

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Austin Airport is First in Nation to Get Advanced Tower Simulator, Boosting Controller Training and Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is the first air traffic control tower in the nation to receive the new modernized Tower Simulation System, which is used for controller training on airport operations.   

"Safety is our priority, and we are investing in new technologies that provide enhanced training for our air traffic controllers," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. "The new simulators will help us achieve that by providing real scenarios to train controllers throughout the National Airspace System." 

The system is now operational at Austin and includes a visual database to simulate air traffic scenarios on an airport’s layout, operations and airspace, enhancing safety. Controllers at Austin handled over 250,000 flights in 2023.

The FAA plans to install the new tower simulator systems in 95 facilities across the country by the end of 2025.

Modernizing the simulator system will also speed up the time it takes for controllers to fully certify at air traffic facilities. This is one of the many actions the FAA is taking to increase the number of controllers and improve training following the release of the National Airspace System Safety Review Team Report .

More actions include: 

• Filling every seat at the Academy by conducting advanced training at regional facilities, hiring more experienced controllers from the military and industry year-round, and expediting the onboarding process for new hires. 
• Working with colleges and universities to enhance the  Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program  to ensure graduates have the skills to immediately begin on-the-job training at a facility.  Upon graduation, graduates can be placed directly into air traffic facilities.

Duluth International Airport showcases Air Traffic Control Tower replacement plans

Air traffic control tower open house.

The Duluth air traffic control tower is deteriorating, according to the Duluth Airport Authority. Built in the mid-1950s, the height of the tower is also not up to modern standards. 

“FAA controllers have to be able to see every aircraft that they can control and talk to. So with the tower height being at 54 feet, it’s inadequate for today’s airfield and what we have today,” said Duluth Airport Authority Director Mark Papko. “It’s not something impactful from today’s concerns, but we’re in the business of mitigating risk and everything that we can do to improve safety at our airport is paramount.”

Duluth International Airport hosted a public open house Wednesday evening to provide information on the Air Traffic Control Tower Project.

“I had no clue that this hangar was the third oldest in the country. It’s over 70 years old and it sounds like the timing is right to get this done, to get it rebuilt,” said Duluth resident Ryan Sistad.

Planning for this project began in 2019 with figuring out where to build the new tower. Site selection has been completed, and the project is currently in the design phase. 

“We’re hoping to get LEED certification as part of it to make sure that it’s a blend between sustainability and operationally efficient,” said Papko. “And just growing the space. Right now, all of our controllers that we do have are cramped and don’t have the adequate space that they need. So expanding that space, allowing them to increase their ability to train and do everything that they need to do to do an effective job, is our main priority.” 

The total cost for a new Air Traffic Control Tower is an estimated $66 million. This February, $10 million was awarded through the Airport Terminal Program . Preparation work, such as building fences around the construction site, will begin this spring. 

“The entire area will be fenced off and constructed with very little impact on anybody,” said Papko. “So for all things considered, it’s essentially a fenced-in sandbox that will eventually get to play in and construct our tower site.”

It’ll be quiet this summer before construction takes off in around a year. From there, it is expected to take around two years to construct. Duluth Airport Authority is hoping to cut a ribbon in the fall to winter of 2026 and be fully operating in the new air traffic control tower by 2027. 

“I think any time that you can keep the airport healthy and keep people wanting to come in here, whether that’s entrepreneurs, investors or just people visiting in and out of town conveniently is, I think, is good for the area,” said Sistad.

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Duluth Airport Authority Unveils New Air Traffic Control Tower Design

April 11, 2024 11:31 AM CDT

By: James Kelly

The Duluth Airport Authority unveiled the planned look for its new air traffic control tower at a Wednesday open house.

According to a Fox 21 report, the air traffic control tower at the Duluth International Airport is over 70 years old, and no longer meets the standards required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Officials say it is the third oldest air traffic control tower in the United States.

The reconstruction project is expected to cost around $66 million, of which the airport authority has raised about $26 million. Officials are hoping the remaining $40 million dollars can be raised in the next few rounds of legislative funding. Much of the funding for the project was provided through the Airport Terminal Program, part of President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

When the project is completed, the air traffic control tower will be about 100 feet taller than the current tower, and be moved to a more prominent location in the airport. It currently sits around the outskirts of the runways. Officials say the new control tower will boost the airport’s ability to run safely and efficiently.

Some preliminary work to prepare the area for the new tower has reportedly already been completed, such as utilities work. Additionally, the Duluth Airport Authority plans to demolish an unoccupied building in the area this summer to make more room for construction to get underway.

When the funding is acquired, construction on the new tower could begin by the summer of 2025. Officials say the project could be completed by the end of 2026.

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FAA probing close call between Southwest flight, air traffic control tower

T he Federal Aviation Administration is looking into a Southwest flight that veered off course while on approach to land at New York's LaGuardia Airport and may have buzzed the air traffic control tower with as little as 67 feet of clearance, CBS News has learned. 

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, when pilots of Southwest Flight 147 aborted their first approach because of bad weather. While on final approach of their second landing attempt, an air traffic controller is heard urgently telling the pilots of the Boeing 737 to "go around" and climb to 2,000 feet. 

"Go around! Go around!" Fly runway heading, climb and maintain 2,000. Climb and maintain 2,000. 2,000," the air traffic controller said, according to a feed from liveatc.net.

The plane had apparently drifted to the east and was no longer lined up with the runway. Preliminary flight tracking data from Flightradar24 put the airliner at an altitude of 300 feet when it began to climb. The FAA said it's investigating to see if the off-course airliner flew over the 233-foot tall air traffic control tower. 

Flightradar24's flight tracker map put the plane over the terminal building, not the runway. It appears the plane flew over the parking garage immediately adjacent to the air traffic control tower, based on Flightradar24's approximate track.  

The same controller told the pilots a few minutes later their plane, "was not aligned with the runway at all. It was like east of final. He was not gonna land on the runway."  

The airline said there were 147 passengers and six crew members on board the flight from Nashville. 

Southwest told CBS News the airline is "reviewing the event as part of our Safety systems." The carrier said the plane encountered turbulence and low visibility while approaching LGA. 

Southwest Flight 147 elected to briefly divert to Baltimore/Washington International Airport, where it landed safely. It then eventually landed safely in New York.

The inclement weather resulted in other go-arounds at LaGuardia, including JetBlue Flight 698, which was trying to land at about the same time. Those pilots reported encountering wind shear. 

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FAA investigating possible close call between Southwest Airlines jet, air traffic control tower

Incident occurred during bad weather at nyc's laguardia airport.

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating whether a Southwest Airlines plane came close to an air traffic control tower after it veered off course during an attempted landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York City.

On March 23, around 1 p.m., an air traffic controller instructed the crew of Flight 147 to perform a go-around at LaGuardia Airport. The plane had veered off course due to inclement weather, according to the FAA.

Southwest told FOX Business that the flight had encountered "turbulence and low visibility" at the airport. 

BOSTON-BOUND FLIGHT FROM SAN FRANCISCO FORCED TO DIVERT TO DENVER AFTER PLANE'S WING CAME APART MIDAIR

The flight diverted and landed in Baltimore. 

A Southwest commercial airliner takes off from Las Vegas International Airport in Las Vegas on Feb. 8. (REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo / Reuters Photos)

The FAA told FOX Business in a statement that it "is investigating and will determine if the aircraft flew over the tower at LaGuardia."

UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT MAKES EMERGENCY LANDING DUE TO 'POSSIBLE MECHANICAL ISSUE' WITH DOOR

Separately, the airline said it is "reviewing the event as part of our safety systems."

A go‐around occurs when an arriving aircraft aborts its landing procedure and returns to the landing queue, according to the San Francisco International Airport. 

According to the FAA airplane flying handbook, "if there is a doubt over the landing surface, the pilot should go around and consider the situation further."  

Southwest wasn't the only carrier forced to implement the procedure that afternoon in March. 

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JetBlue Flight 698, which was also trying to land at LaGuardia, encountered wind shear, which forced the plane to abort its landing. 

Wind shear occurs when there is a change in wind speed or direction over a short distance, according to the FAA. 

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FAA is investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that came close to the tower at LaGuardia Airport

FILE - A traveler walks through the Southwest ticketing counter area at the Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, April 18, 2023. Federal officials said Thursday, April 4, 2024, that they are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that veered off course and flew close to the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport last month. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - A Federal Aviation Administration sign hangs in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, March 16, 2017. The federal officials said Thursday, April 4, 2024, that they are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that veered off course and flew close to the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport last month. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal officials are investigating a Southwest Airlines flight that veered off course and flew close to the air traffic control tower at LaGuardia Airport last month.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday that the plane flew off course due to bad weather as it approached for landing at the busy New York City airport.

After circling the airport once, the plane flew as low as 300 feet (90 meters), according to data from Flightradar24.com. An air traffic controller – speaking in an unusually urgent tone – told the pilots to abandon their landing and climb to 2000 feet (600 meters), according to audio captured by LiveATC.net.

The controller said the plane was not lined up with the runway; it appeared to be east of the intended landing route.

“He was not going to land on the runway,” the controller said.

The March 23 flight was diverted to Baltimore, where the plane landed safely. After a brief stop, the plane flew back to New York, Southwest said.

“The FAA is investigating and will determine if the aircraft flew over the tower at LaGuardia,” an agency spokesperson said. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was also investigating but did not plan to issue any immediate reports.

Dallas-based Southwest said the plane diverted to Baltimore “after encountering turbulence and low visibility at New York LaGuardia Airport.”

“We are reviewing the event as part of our safety systems,” an airline spokesperson said.

The flight started in Nashville, Tennessee, and there were 150 passengers and crew members on board, the airline said.

The incident was reported earlier by CBS News.