The author of this ASRS report states: “I would guess that, if asked, the Tower Controllers would tell you that both taxiways are an unnecessary headache for them as they must issue the not visible warning constantly.”
“This part of the ramp is not visible to the Tower, so I was able to get taxi instructions without the Tower noting my position,” the pilot writes in his report to the Aviation Safety Reporting System.
We don’t know where this airport is located because NASA removes identifying information from ASRS reports, such as airport or aircraft type.
Frankly, it doesn’t matter. The cure to this headache is pretty simple.
To paraphrase a visit to a doctor from days gone by, install two cameras and call me in the morning.
Local pilots and businesses should install cameras in the blind spots and set a display showing the camera feed in the tower cab.
Blind spot no longer. That would be cool.
The FAA makes many decisions through the lens of “safety.” Not having line of sight visibility of an area the controllers are responsible for makes for an unsafe situation.
Don’t ask permission from higher-ups.
If they happen to notice, seek forgiveness.
The airport was identified in the original ASRS report:
“This is also an area on CXY where the Tower cannot see the taxiway.”
KCXY is Capital City Airport, Harrisburg PA. The author’s narrative describes the layout quite accurately.
There are two reasons for an “uncontrolled” ramp or taxiway at an airport with a tower: First, the areas are not visible from the tower, or second, there’s an agreement between the tower and the entity operating in that area that the specific area will not be under tower control, for operational reasons.
At my airport, TYS, the airline ramp, FBO ramp, and a third remote ramp at TYS are not clearly visible from the tower. Plus taxiway C and D are not visible. Because the controllers can’t adequately see these areas, and are unable to exercise control, those areas are designated as “Non-Movement Areas,” and are depicted thusly on the airport diagram. Other ramps (cargo and Air National Guard) are also designated as “Non-Movement Areas,” because the leaseholders on those areas have an agreement with ATC that they will remain “uncontrolled” to allow freedom of movement for all the vehicles that transit those ramps.
ATC should never exercise control over an area that they can’t clearly see. Usually they will say something like, “The airline ramp is uncontrolled. Push at your own discretion and call when ready to taxi.” Then when the aircraft is at the edge of the ramp, Tower gives taxi instructions to the runway.