Feasibility of Remote Towers

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Introduction
Background and Purpose
Remote towers are the unmanned aerial vehicles for Air Traffic Control. SAAB has been testing remote towers for years in Sweden and has begun testing in Norway and India. With increasing positive testing, remote towers have shown to be a practical use within the National Airspace System (NAS). Concern for remote towers lies within their safety and if they truly can create a cost effective solution to smaller Air Traffic Control Towers. This report analyzes the feasibility for the FAA to utilize SAAB’s remote tower within the NAS

Sources of Data
This report contains current information from respected industry professionals including but not limited to the FAA, SAAB, and Luftfatsverket (LFV). The author’s knowledge from previous remote tower presentation and experience working with air traffic control adds to this feasibility analysis. The author is currently enrolled in Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Air Traffic Management major degree program.

Scope of Analysis
This feasibility analysis focuses on the following topics:
• Remote Tower Safety
• Costs
• Improved Operations
• Necessity
• Drawbacks

Working Definitions
Luftfatsverket (LFV) – The regulatory body for Swedish airspace.
Conclusion
It is has been found that it is feasible for the FAA to implement SAAB’s remote towers within the NAS. With the technology built into the remote towers there will be no degrade in safety at airports. The remote towers will actually increase the safety at airports. The remote towers have lower costs to build and maintain the towers. While changes in regulation will be required to implement this technology it is feasible for this technology to be implemented.
Compiled Data
Remote Tower Sa...

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...s . Retrieved from website: http://www.contracttower.org/CTANEWS/IG.PDF
Pearson, D. (2013, July 12). Saab tests remote air-traffic towers. Retrieved from http://online.wsj.com/ news/articles/SB10001424127887324879504578599721902282166
U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration (2014). Atads : Tower operations . Retrieved from website: https://aspm.faa.gov/opsnet/sys/opsnet-server-x.asp
Davies, A. (2012, November 7). Future air traffic controllers could work in virtual towers nowhere near the airport. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/remote-towers-change-air-traffic-control-2012-11?op=1
SAAB Group (2013). Remote Tower. Retrieved from http://www.saabgroup.com/Global/ Documents%20and%20Images/Civil%20Security/Air%20Transportation%20and%20Airport%20Security/Air%20Traffic%20Management%20Solutions/Remote%20Tower/ Remote_Tower_web.pdf

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