Photo by Shahn Sederberg, CDOT.
Since 2015, the Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics (State), the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been collaborating on an innovative effort to bring remote air traffic control tower technology to FNL and Colorado. This technology uses video cameras and other sensing technologies to emulate the operational safety and efficiency benefits of a traditional air traffic control tower but with additional flexibility and capabilities at a much lower capital and operational cost than a traditional air traffic control tower.
In 2018, the FAA selected Searidge Technologies of Ottawa, Canada to be the remote tower technology provider at FNL, and in March 2020, a mobile air traffic control tower was installed in advance of a structured testing and evaluation program to eventually certify and operate a permanent remote tower at FNL. Unfortunately, a number of circumstances have occurred that have impacted the program, including the COVID-19 pandemic and related multi-year FAA travel restrictions, as well as continually changing FAA standards for remote tower certification. As a result, Searidge Technologies has advised the FAA that they will terminate work on the FNL remote tower program.
As this transition occurs over the next several weeks, the state, FNL, and the FAA will collaborate on a new path forward that preserves existing air traffic control services at FNL for the foreseeable future. During this time, future options will be evaluated for continued development of the remote tower facility at FNL as well as potential options for a traditional air traffic control tower. Significant interest exists from other remote tower technology providers to continue development at FNL, and the state and FNL will be working closely with the FAA to explore this option as the preferred alternative.
“While we are disappointed to see Searidge leave the remote tower program, we remain optimistic that the cost-effective benefits of remote tower technology will have tremendous value to Colorado’s future aviation system, and we intend to vigorously support future development of the technology,” said CDOT’s Aeronautics Director David Ulane.
“FNL has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, safety, and development and the Remote Tower is a great example of that focus. The Remote Tower has already provided an exceptional, innovative pathway to meet the operational demands of our growing airport in a safe, cost-effective, and timely way,” said David Ruppel, Northern Colorado Regional Airport interim director. “While this news is unfortunate, we are confident that with the FAA’s ongoing support, CDOT’s commitment to this project and our airport, as well as interest from other highly qualified vendors, we will be able to carry this effort forward.”
