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as Controller Working Positions (CWPs) that can control multiple represent an important and innovative step in
airports simultaneously or on in a sequence as per a pre-deter- airspace modernisation efforts in the U.S., and
mined schedule. This report also discusses the benefits of digital I’m excited to see Advanced ATC establish its
towers. A digital tower is a larger airport with numerous digital data pioneering operation at Craig Field. This virtual
sources such as surveillance and ATM data, where the opportunity tower center represents another example of
to integrate fruitful data can prove beneficial. how our state is at the leading edge of trends
shaping the future of aviation and aerospace
Meanwhile, Saab and ATECH Negocios em Tecnologias S/A have for the U.S.” Advanced ATC is working with
agreed to cooperate and to offer a sustainable and efficient digital Indra Corp., a Spanish maker of aviation nav-
tower solution for the Latin American region. Through the part- igation systems and a leader in remote tower
nership between Saab and ATECH, digital tower solutions will be technology. Indra will provide staffing, software,
available to both civil and military customers in Latin America. This and logistics support.
cooperation is the basis for future joint innovations in supporting
new efficient digital services, as well as a way to reduce the overall Dan Cunningham, chief operator officer for
environmental footprint of ATM. “Teaming up with ATECH within Advanced ATC, told The Associated Press that
the Latin American market will improve our local product offer and remote tower systems are brand new in the
provide a business model that combines the best of both worlds,” United States and the tower will be part of their
says Per Ahl, CEO at Saab Digital Air Traffic Solutions. training academy at the site where they antic-
ipate training students from around the globe.
“With Saab as a partner, our digital tower offer will be attractive and But “we will need approval from the Federal
support a variety of applications, both civil and military, expanding Aviation Administration before handling air traf-
the remote and digital components of our gate to gate solutions,” fic in the U.S”, he adds. The Federal Aviation
says Edson Mallaco, CEO at ATECH. Saab has been involved in Administration has not approved any remote
running digital tower operations, from initial operational, technical tower systems for use. But Cunningham says
and business case analysis and implementation, to training and remote towers at two airports are currently
organisation change management. Atech’s innovative concentration going through the evaluation process, and
of digital solutions, like the remote AFIS for DECEA operations in Advanced ATC’s process will be the same.
Brazil, allied with a strong presence and knowledge of the region,
and together with the industrial leadership from Saab within digital The Advanced ATC official says the remote
towers, will create a strong combination to support the ATM market tower will be equipped to support aviation
in the best way. expansion and provide air traffic control ser-
vices for up to 40 airports in the U.S. The
US’s First Remote ATC in Alabama outlook for small airports to be able to afford
While the technology is gaining a foothold in Europe, it is rela- ATC service without the requirement to build a
tively new to the United States. In a first for the U.S., a remote air USD 5 million to USD 10 million control tower is
traffic control tower, as well as a training facility for the next tech- now available with the advancement of camera
aided step in aviation, is being established on the site of an old Air and satellite technologies changing almost
Force base in Alabama’s Selma. The US$4.7 million Remote Tower daily, Cunningham says, adding the Selma RTC
Air Traffic Control Center (RTC) will be built at Craig Field from will be the catalyst for this historic change in
Advanced ATC Inc., an air traffic control academy in Valdosta, Ga., the United States.
according to an announcement this morning. Gaining use in Europe,
remote towers use cameras, real-time video and other technology
to perform the function of a conventional control tower, only from
a different location.

The remote tower in Selma will be equipped to support air traffic
control services for up to 40 airports across the U.S. Advanced ATC
also plans to establish a first-of-its kind international training acad-
emy at Craig Field, providing operational training and certifications
for remote tower air traffic controllers, producing up to 50 a year.
The remote tower uses cameras, real-time video and other fea-
tures, allowing air traffic controllers to remotely accomplish the
duties they would previously have carried out in a traditional control
tower, the company said. According to the Alabama Department
of Commerce, Advanced ATC plans to hire 28 people in the first
year, growing to as many as 119 within five years, with an annual
payroll of US$8 million.

Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield says: “Remote towers

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