The NBAA has joined the Leesburg Executive Airport (JYO) in urging the FAA to restore the full availability of ATC services at the airport. The NBAA raised concerns over the decision to end remote tower operations at the airport, encouraging the organization to find an alternative way for the airport to keep the same level of safety in daily operations.
“We believe it is in the interest of safety to continue this innovative and cost-effective capability,” NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said.
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FAA ending ATC services and remote tower program at Leesburg airport
Bolen sent a letter to the FAA’s Acting Administrator Billy Nole, encouraging the organization to work with the city of Leesburg. He urged the FAA to “explore alternatives that will allow for the same level of enhanced safety the remote tower has offered and believe that any change should be based on a full safety risk management assessment.”
JYO has been using a system developed by Saab Inc, which relays data to air traffic controllers based at a remote tower center outside the airport. The Remote Tower Program (RTC) began in March 2015 and has provided continuous ATC services for the airport since June 2018. The FAA had been working with JYO on certifying the program, but after Saab opted to stop pursuing technical certification, the FAA informed the airport it was discontinuing the use of the program and ATC services altogether.
“NBAA has been an active participant in the multiple safety risk assessments that have been completed during the phased remote tower deployment and no safety issues have been identified,” Bolen said. “Our members have benefited from the safety enhancements for both local and itinerant operators.”
He urged the FAA to think more about the safety that the remote tower has provided for the airport. The FAA had been working closely with JYO and its former partner Saab, evaluating the program and its safety and effectiveness. After an operational viability decision in September 2021, the FAA decided to move forward with the program and discontinued using a temporary tower backup as a result.
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“It is concerning that over a dozen safety assessments, an operational viability decision and years of operational experience, as well as robust investments by the FAA and industry are being discarded and services will come to an end on the cusp of a busy summer travel season,” Bolen said.
The AOPA has also urged the FAA to reconsider its decision. Being only 35 miles from Washington D.C. the airport receives a lot of traffic and serves as a reliever for the Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The airport receives a mix of flight training, corporate jets and helicopter activity, all while operating within size-restricted airspace due to the proximity to Dulles. The airport is also within a Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) which is a 30-mile radius around a flight-restricted-zone (FRZ) in D.C.
While many GA airports operate without a tower, because of the proximity to D.C. and the high volume of traffic, the tower is seen as a necessity to keep operations running safely. Airport officials and stakeholders are currently working to push the end date to Dec. 31 at the earliest, allowing for both parties to possibly find an alternative solution. The current end date for the program and ATC services is June 14.
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