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 announced the closure of 149 contract air traffic control towers by April 7, including those at major General Aviation hubs like Oshkosh (EAA AirVenture) and Lakeland (Sun 'n Fun).
Aviation organizations, including AOPA and NBAA, expressed significant disappointment and concern over compromised safety and the closure of recently built towers.
Although 40 towers originally slated for closure will remain open, the majority of the planned 149 closures are considered a near-certainty, impacting many states.

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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.