REMOTE TOWER TESTING RESUMES AT COLORADO AIRPORT
The remote air traffic control tower at Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) in Fort Collins recently resumed testing as it proceeds through Phase II and final FAA certification in the next several years. Testing began in 2019 but was delayed due to the covid pandemic. To support testing the remote facilities, a temporary tower staffed by controllers provided by air navigation company Serco is in service at the airport. Currently, the only other remote tower facility in the U.S. is also undergoing testing at Leesburg Executive (JYO) in Virginia.
The remote facility, built by Searidge Technologies of Ottawa, Canada, consists of 31 cameras on 3 masts: a central mast holding 14 cameras providing a 360-degree view of the ramp, movement areas, and the surrounding airspace; two additional masts at 1,000 feet from each end of runway 15-33 provide close-in views of the approach and departure areas as well as aircraft on the ground taxiing or awaiting departure.
A prime benefit of the remote tower is its flexibility compared to a fixed tower. The camera arrays are able to be moved as the airport expands and its layout changes.