b'48 BOW OPERATIONSFACTS&FIGURESBartow Executive Redefines Air Project: Remote Digital Air Traffic Control TowerLocation: Bartow Executive Airport, in Bartow, FL Traffic Control With Digital Tower Owner/Operator: Bartow Airport Authority and Onsite Controller Training Funding for Tower System: $6.1 million from FL Dept. of Transportation (100%)BY JENNIFER DAACK WOOLSONProject Timeline: March 2023Nov. 2025The building where astronautWe have what Engineer: Hanson Professional Services Inc. Buzz Aldrin once completedwe believe to be the Construction: Hanson Professional Services Inc.; Crownhis flight training is now homeoldest continually Electric Inc.; Southeast Communications Inc. to some of the most advanced air trafficoperated air traffic Technology Provider: Frequentis USA Inc. control technology in the United States.control tower in Technologies: Aircraft bounding boxes; projected runwayTalk about another giant leap for mankind. the United States, approach slope lines; thermal cameras for low-visibilityThat building is at Bartow ExecutiveHelms says. The conditions (darkness, fog, low cloud cover, etc.); pan/ six-story structureJOHN HELMStilt/zoom cameras; VFR visual reporting points display;Airport (BOW), a busy general aviation pavement condition displays; etc.facility in Central Florida that is one ofopened in 1943, Key Advantages (vs. Traditional Towers): Lessthe first airports in the nation to operateand controllers still access it via outdoor expensive to construct; reduced upkeep costs; multi-airporta remote digital air traffic control tower.stairwells because adding and maintaining control centers allow for shared facility expenses; advancedThe new technology was implementedan elevator is cost-prohibitive for the technology improves situational awareness for controllers alongside an innovative training academyairport. The climb has become a physical Associated Project: Controller Training Program for controllers, turning BOW into a provingand logistical challenge for controllersLocation: Bartow Executive Airport ground for the future of U.S. air trafficespecially during inclement weather. Partners: Polk County Public Schools; Traviss Technicalcontrol. Because the facility is a non-federal College control tower, BOW is not eligible to Program Duration: 12 months An Issue 80 Years in the Making receive federal funding for construction or Initial Enrollment: 11 students (enrollment is capped atFor John Helms, executive director of theequipmenta limitation that made replacing 4 students/month to allow adequate training time in controlBartow Airport Authority, the significantthe 80-year-old tower an unrealistic option. tower) changes started with a practicalandAdding to the pressure, staffing issues Funding: Local (legislative funding covered buildingpressingproblem. began to surface in 2018. During a renovations)November | December 2025AirportImprovement.com'