Pilots who are used to flying into Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL) near Fort Collins/Loveland—and operating there like they would at any non-towered airport—will need to take careful note of major air traffic control changes coming soon to the airport. Beginning in mid-March, KFNL becomes a “towered” airport with the addition of a mobile ATC trailer (MATCT) providing on-site services. The trailer and local controllers will eventually give way to a remote ATC facility as part of a test being conducted at the airport.
Remote ATC Testing to Begin at Northern Colorado Regional Airport
Key Takeaways:
- Northern Colorado Regional Airport (KFNL) is transitioning from a non-towered to a towered airport, initially using a mobile ATC trailer and then moving to remote air traffic control services.
- This change is part of the "Colorado Remote Tower Project," a pioneering test integrating satellite-based aircraft surveillance and ground-based video technology.
- The project aims to cost-effectively manage anticipated increases in air traffic at KFNL due to rapid regional development, offering a more affordable alternative to a traditional control tower.
- Searidge Technologies is developing and seeking FAA certification for the remote tower system, which uses cameras and surveillance data to simulate a physical tower view for controllers.
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