How would you feel landing at an airport where the control tower is 105 miles away? It’s happening in Sweden, according to this report from NPR.
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As long as I wasn’t in the plane, I wouldn’t feel to bad.
FWIW, remote towers would likely have better optics (and could see individual aircraft more clearly) than the current manned towers. I think it’s technology the US should adopt as soon as possible. The safety of operations are likely to be equal or better, and the costs can’t be any worse than maintaining infrastructure scattered all over the country. With 300 or so contract towers and at least that many Federal towers there are lots of opportunities to set up ‘tests’ while maintaining an equivalent or better level of safety. UAS technology is coming rapidly. This may help keep airports viable as the tide of automated aircraft rises.
Tower: “N123CG, is there an aircraft ahead of you, in the pattern?”
N123CG: “Affirmative, an aircraft just turned base for Rwy 27. 123CG”
Tower: “23CG, Can you determine the type?”
N123CG: “Aircraft now turning final, for Rwy 27, appears to be a Piper.”
Tower: “23CG you are #2, following the Piper on short final – it is on short final, right? I mean, it must be on short final by now. – cleared to land.”
So, how do I feel about the control tower 105 miles away? Yea, not real good.
N432LL: “Tower, please tell 23CG they need to get their eyes checked. I’m not a Piper. I’m Beechcraft.”