b'OPERATIONSBOW53The tech-forward tower model could make it more realistic forvary according to an airports classification and ability to secure general aviation airports with high-traffic flight schools, parallelfunding. Start by getting in touch with myself or John [Helms runways or peak congestion hours to have safety-enhancingfrom BOW] or someone from Frequentis to start a conversation traffic control. Helms believes it might even change the FAAs ownabout whether its appropriate at your airport and what the next approach. This opens some doors to have conversations, maybe tosteps would be, Swafford suggests. lowering that bar for entry into the control tower program, he says. For those just beginning to imagine a digital future for air traffic So, what should other airports interested in remote digital towercontrol on their airfields, Sami sees nothing but opportunity. He technology do? says digital towers are showing how technology and automation Sami says the first considerations are regulatory. Does yourcan be integrated to improve safetyespecially if cost or location airport qualify for a tower based on size, traffic volume andconstraints make building a traditional tower prohibitive at an operational complexity. Do you already have a traditional tower?airport that would be better served by towered air traffic services Next, he suggests considering whether a traditional brick-and- Digital towers in these situations can be the most effective mortar or remote digital tower would make more sense for yoursolution, cost and safety wise, he explains. particular air traffic and operational needs. Is there infrastructureBy helping pioneer the concept in the U.S. and launching its in place to support either option? He notes that Frequentis canown controller training program, BOW is thinking outside the help conduct a feasibility study to determine if a digital tower is atower and offering a solution for the nationwide staffing problem. good use case.Moreover, its shared resource model is bound to interest other Subsequent questions include: How much does a digital towerairports. Overall, BOW is showing that small general aviation cost? How long does it take to develop? Whats the first step? airfields can lead big industry change.Swafford, from Hanson Professional Services, emphasizes thatThe digital tower is going to be a game-changer, Helms there arent standard answers for these questions. Instead, theypredicts. This really is a potential solution for the rest of the country. AirportImprovement.comNovember | December 2025'