Control Tower in class G, why?

robsingles

Pre-Flight
Joined
Apr 28, 2005
Messages
65
Display Name

Display name:
Rob Singles
Simply I have a question: Why would there be a control tower in Class G airspace? If you pull a sectional out for Jacksonville you will notice that Lake City airport is in class g airspace with class e overhead at 700 feet. Yet it has a control tower. Why would they have a control tower in “uncontrolled airspace?”





References:

Jacksonville Sectional

91.126 Operating on or in the vicinity of an airport in Class G airspace.

(a) General. Unless otherwise authorized or required, each person operating an aircraft on or in the vicinity of an airport in a Class G airspace area must comply with the requirements of this section.

(b) Direction of turns. When approaching to land at an airport without an operating control tower in Class G airspace—

(1) Each pilot of an airplane must make all turns of that airplane to the left unless the airport displays approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should be made to the right, in which case the pilot must make all turns to the right; and

(2) Each pilot of a helicopter or a powered parachute must avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft.

(c) Flap settings. Except when necessary for training or certification, the pilot in command of a civil turbojet-powered aircraft must use, as a final flap setting, the minimum certificated landing flap setting set forth in the approved performance information in the Airplane Flight Manual for the applicable conditions. However, each pilot in command has the final authority and responsibility for the safe operation of the pilot's airplane, and may use a different flap setting for that airplane if the pilot determines that it is necessary in the interest of safety.

(d) Communications with control towers. Unless otherwise authorized or required by ATC, no person may operate an aircraft to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower unless two-way radio communications are maintained between that aircraft and the control tower. Communications must be established prior to 4 nautical miles from the airport, up to and including 2,500 feet AGL. However, if the aircraft radio fails in flight, the pilot in command may operate that aircraft and land if weather conditions are at or above basic VFR weather minimums, visual contact with the tower is maintained, and a clearance to land is received. If the aircraft radio fails while in flight under IFR, the pilot must comply with §91.185.
 
There are probalby times of heavy use with some unique variables at that airport which may require a tower. Some such towers are seasonal or temporary towers. If you are really curious for that exact TWR I would just call them and ask.

Thats my guess anyway....I'm sure someone else here has more insight on the subject though.
 
This airport:

LAKE CITY GROUND: 121.9 [0800-1630 MON-FRI]LAKE CITY TOWER: 119.2 314.6 [0800-1630 MON-FRI]EMERG: 121.5FLIGHT TEST: 123.45 6550GROUND TEST: 123.2

  • <LI class=rmk>APCH/DEP SERVICE PROVIDED BY JACKSONVILLE ARTCC ON FREQS 125.375/254.325 (LAKE CITY RCAG).
  • ATCT MAY BE OPEN AT OTHER THAN PUBLISHED HRS; MONITOR CTAF AT ALL TIMES.
 
robsingles said:
Simply I have a question: Why would there be a control tower in Class G airspace?
Because the company's and or people who operate in and out of this airport probably have a clause in their insurance policy that prohibits them from operating at an airfield where there is no control tower.

The other day, I went up to talk to the guy who runs the tower operation at my local airport. I asked him when and why they built the tower - cuz it's always been a privately operated (non FAA staffed) tower. Basically, back in the 70's when there were 2 or 3 huge GM plants (long since gone) the city built the tower so GM could operate (larger) jets in and out of the airport and so their insurance carriers could be happy.
 
Back
Top