Visiting a Control Tower?

Indiana_Pilot

Indiana_Pilot

Line Up and Wait
Joined
Nov 2, 2013
Messages
802
Location
Connersville, IN
Display Name
Display name:
Flying "B"
I would like to take my kids to visit a Control Tower soon.. (probably a Class D airport) but I am not really sure if this is possible or not.

I have read where some people say it is or due to security its not.. I kinda want to know what the general thought on this is before I call and ask them.

Anyone have any luck with this?

Thanks!
 
I've toured a few towers... PDK [Class D] and ATL [Class B] They are always more than happy to give a tour. They do prefer specific days, times, # of people, etc. so give them a call first. TRACON gives tours as well.
 
Usually depends on how many controllers they have on duty, if one of them is willing to keep an eye on you, and how many people you are bringing. I usually just ask the FBO for the number to the control tower and say, "Hey, I just flew in and would like to check out the tower. Mind if I come up?" If the tower is a distance away.It would probably be best to schedule it ahead of time. They should be able to give you the tower managers information and you could schedule a visit through them. I've had pretty good luck and haven't been turned away yet.
 
I'd call the tower and ask for a supervisor and explain the request. I have been in a few, including TRACON. But, it's been about 10 years though since my last visit. I think getting into a smaller class D or C facility would be pretty easy. Getting into a B might be a bit tougher, but would be awesome.

Tell them You want to understand their job and the sectors better so you can be a better communicator and more professional.
 
Back in the old days you'd just right the doorbell/intercom/phone at the base of the tower. I've done so at BJC, APA, HEF (the latter were actually the same buidling), (older) IAD, DCA. I've had prearranged visits of the OSH tower and the new IAD tower.
 
Firefighter_324 said:
I would like to take my kids to visit a Control Tower soon.. (probably a Class D airport) but I am not really sure if this is possible or not.

I have read where some people say it is or due to security its not.. I kinda want to know what the general thought on this is before I call and ask them.

Anyone have any luck with this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

If it's a real small tower, i.e. Only one dude working the whole thing, it might be a problem. Depending on the tower's policy, another staff member not working a control position needs to be available to escort you. Best time to go is during normal business hours, mon - fri, when they're most likely to have someone to do it. Either way, call ahead. Also, make sure your kids are well behaved; controllers are generally very good about welcoming visitors, but distractions can be bad.

I would recommend a tower that's a little busier, say a typical class C airport. There's more to look at, the tower is higher, and often a radar feed to seem the planes.
 
Call the tower ,you want to visit. That's the only sure way of knowing if it's possible.
 
Unit74 said:
I'd call the tower and ask for a supervisor and explain the request. I have been in a few, including TRACON. But, it's been about 10 years though since my last visit. I think getting into a smaller class D or C facility would be pretty easy. Getting into a B might be a bit tougher, but would be awesome.

Tell them You want to understand their job and the sectors better so you can be a better communicator and more professional.
Click to expand...
That doesn't explain the kids.
 
kkoran said:
That doesn't explain the kids.
Click to expand...

The visit doesn't have to be an adult or pilot related. Doesn't have to fall under the guidance of the former "Operation Rain Check" either. If his kids are interested in the services ATC provides, that meets the requirement.
 
Last edited:
frfly172 said:
Call the tower ,you want to visit. That's the only sure way of knowing if it's possible.
Click to expand...
Yep. FWIW, my dad and I got to visit Kennedy Tower and NY TRACON. We have a friend from church who just retired from JFK Tower last year and he was able to get us a tour. Asking is the first step. I'm sure if they let me into Kennedy, you'll be able to visit your local Class D tower.
 
flyingron said:
Back in the old days you'd just right the doorbell/intercom/phone at the base of the tower. I've done so at BJC, APA, HEF (the latter were actually the same buidling), (older) IAD, DCA. I've had prearranged visits of the OSH tower and the new IAD tower.
Click to expand...

The "old days" were a few weeks ago. I did just that very recently with two CAP cadets and two other seniors.
 
I have an interest in air traffic control, especially radar positions.

Think any facilities would let someone hang out for longer than a tour? It would be cool to just sit and observe for a while, see all the things the controllers have to do in the background, see what instrument approaches look like from their end.
 
bqmassey said:
I have an interest in air traffic control, especially radar positions.

Think any facilities would let someone hang out for longer than a tour? It would be cool to just sit and observe for a while, see all the things the controllers have to do in the background, see what instrument approaches look like from their end.
Click to expand...

Unless you're a family member or know one of the controllers personally, that probably won't happen.

Just to get someone to give the tour you have to find either a student, someone in the offices that no longer controls or a controller on a break. After about 15 minutes or so and there are no more questions, generally the tour is over and they want to get back to what they were doing.

Some supervisors get nervous with a tour walking around the radar room, especially if traffic starts picking up. Others couldn't care less about it. Depending on the facility, they might either deny a tour or cut the tour short because of traffic, training or if the supervisor believes it will be an unnecessary distraction.
 
I asked at the local C airspace tower. I was told that only one controller would take visitors in the tower and never any children. The children in this case had been taking courses in flight for the last couple of years, but still, the answer was no.

Adults were ok, but an appointment is required.
 
Definitely call the tower to arrange the visit, they are usually pretty accommodating, especially at class D. Or try just ringing the door bell at the base, they might take you straight up.
Unless you have an accent, then you can expect to be treated like a terrorist and wait 2 months for an FAA clearance.
 
I have visited several in two different eras.

Pre-9/11:
I did Midland International (KMAF) tower and Houston ARTCC pre-9/11. Very easy to do, just stopped by at a certain and asked for so and so. I stopped by KMAF in the late evening after dark but with airliners still coming in and they let me hang for a while. I was a student pilot at the time and they were happy to be able to talk to me and give me their take on how they worked with us out of KMDD (airpark).

Houston Center was huge and very busy. Amazing operation to behold.

Post-9/11 (2013):

Denver TRACON. This was a minor PITA security-wise. It was organized by a local flight school (Independence Aviation out of KAPA). We arrived at the guard shack at the TRACON building south of KDEN, gave them our IDs and went through a magnetometer. They do these a lot, so they were used to the drill. Still it took a while with 20-odd people. We didn't get to go to the tower cab, but we saw the TRACON control room, got to chit-chat with the "thirty-two seventy-five guy" who works approach to Centennial on 132.75, and toured the cab simulator. They were doing a live sim at the time and that was very cool to see.

Centennial (KAPA) Tower: This also was pre-arranged by a local flight school. It wasn't a PITA security-wise at all. This has to be a contender for most beautiful tower view in America. You have the entire Front Range splayed out in front of you, looking west. So sunsets have to be as beautiful as they are blinding. Plus there's an airport to look at which is cool for us. These guys were *very* busy at the time and the cab is pretty cramped. I felt like I was almost in the way. I'd prefer to go up there late at night.
 
Thanks for the tips guys.. I will call a few I have in mind and ask! I was going to try and take them last Sunday but we flew to Urbana, OH for lunch instead !
 
A group of us visited Denver Center in Longmont a couple years ago. Similar to what petroero said above. We had to send names and SSNs in advance and then through at the guard shack quite a way from Building. Once in, it was great. General overview, then tour, then plug in with a controller for close to an hour. Really nice to see the other side if the mike.
 
I visited Oakland Center once on a professional visit. Developing flight planning scenarios.

The tour was amazing. Especially since the "other side" of Oakland Center is the Oceanic FIR.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top