The FAA has deployed the nation’s first digital air traffic control towers at Bartow Executive Airport (KBOW) in Florida and Kenai Municipal Airport (PAEN) in Alaska.
Digital towers use advanced cameras and display screens to give controllers a continuous, 360° view of runways, taxiways, and surrounding airspace. According to FAA officials, the modern displays equip controllers with enhanced surface visibility to monitor aircraft movements safely.
“Our air traffic controllers continue to do the critical job of keeping aircraft safely separated, and we’re giving them better technology to do that,” said Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator. “Digital towers provide controllers with greater visibility of airport activity and more information to make critical decisions. It’s about putting better tools in the hands of our workforce so they can continue delivering the safe, reliable air traffic services the flying public depends on.”
The agency selected the Frequentis digital tower platform following testing at the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey, to ensure the system satisfies safety, accuracy, and operational reliability standards.
Five additional airports are scheduled to install the digital tower technology: Winter Haven Regional Airport (KGIF) and Venice Municipal Airport (KVNC) in Florida, Montgomery County Airpark (KGAI) in Maryland, Johnston Regional Airport (KJNX) in North Carolina, and Durango-La Plata County Airport (KDRO) in Colorado.
For more information: FAA.gov
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