FAA Lists ATC Control Towers to Be Axed

Isabel Goyer

Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 01:44 AM ET

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Oshkosh Control Tower

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has announced the closure of 149 contract air traffic control towers by April 7, significantly impacting General Aviation.
These closures affect prominent airports, including Wittman Regional (Oshkosh) and Lakeland Linder Regional (Sun 'n Fun), as well as key GA hubs in states like Florida and Maryland.
Aviation organizations like AOPA and NBAA express strong disappointment and concern, stating that the closures are unnecessary, compromise aviation safety, and include newly built facilities.
Despite some towers being spared from an earlier list, the majority of planned closures are proceeding and appear to be a near-certainty.

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The FAA published on Friday afternoon a list of the contract air traffic control towers that will close by April 7. The list is extensive and includes a number of iconic airports that are traditionally important to GA.

These include the tower at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home to the Experimental Aircraft Association’s annual air show. Also on the hit list is the tower at Lakeland Linder Regional, home to the Sun ‘n Fun fly-in. According to our sources, Sun ‘n Fun is actively working to ensure the tower is open and operating for the air show, which starts the day after the tower closure is scheduled to take effect.