HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL NR 2023-02-28 Leesburg Pursuing Re-Instatement of Remote Tower Program
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
February 28, 2023
Media Contact:
Kara Rodriguez, Public Information Officer
pio@leesburgva.gov 703-669-1425
Leesburg Seeks to Maintain Air Traffic Control at Town Airport
Leesburg, VA (February 28, 2023) – The Town of Leesburg is focused on maintaining Air Traffic
Control operations at Leesburg Executive Airport, in light of a recent Federal Aviation
Administration decision regarding the Remote Tower program.
Town Staff members recently became aware of a decision by the Federal Aviation
Administration to end funding for the Remote Tower Pilot Program at Leesburg effective June
14, 2023. Leesburg Executive Airport was the first municipal airport in the country to
implement a remote tower program through the FAA’s Remote Tower Pilot program in 2015.
The remote tower system developed by Saab Inc. utilizes high-definition cameras and displays,
maneuverable optical and infrared cameras, microphones, and a signal-light-gun to provide
data directly to air traffic controllers at a remote tower center located just outside of the
airport property. Controllers at the remote tower center have the same tools as at other
traditional air traffic control towers, but use live video, radar, and other tools instead of direct
vision to detect and direct air traffic at the busy general aviation airport.
Since the airport’s remote tower was deemed operationally viable by the FAA, contract
controllers in Leesburg’s tower have provided air traffic services to more than 174,000 day,
night and all-weather takeoffs and landings at the airport. Since the pilot program began in
2015, the airport traffic has grown more than 25% and has added an additional flight school, a
second Fixed Base Operator, and a U.S. Customs office for receiving international traffic.
“Our primary focus regarding air traffic control is on safety, and ensuring that those services
remain at the airport as they do today. With more than 75,000 takeoffs and landings each year,
we believe air traffic control services are necessary for safe operations and growth at the
Leesburg Executive Airport,” Airport Director Scott Coffman stated.
Town staff members have been working with the Town’s federal legislators—Rep. Jennifer
Wexton (VA-10), and Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (VA)—to ensure that funding for
Leesburg Executive Airport to remain a towered airport is a priority.
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