Show a pilot or air traffic controller a photo of a control tower with nothing else visible on the picture and they will say the name of the airport almost without thinking. This happens every time, no matter how little known or exotic the airport may be. This is no accident. The tower is the symbol of the oldest place from which airport traffic was first supervised and controlled, an edifice that stands tall over the rest of the field, commanding attention not unlike the circle and star on a Mercedes automobile.
At first, towers were simple affairs reflecting the relative simplicity of the operation in those days. Over the years they became taller and more imposing, uniting functionality, architectural proves and local pride in about equal measure.
If its external looks are imposing, the equipment in the modern tower cab has no reason to be ashamed either. Sunscreen glass, precision
surveillance equipment, communications, controls for aerodrome lights and surface movement and guidance systems and the inevitable coffee machine (Nespresso of course…) talk volumes about the importance of this air traffic control unit.
If we add that in the US and Europe airports form the biggest bottleneck in meeting demand, it is easy to see why so much attention is being given to the tower.
The ground controller, the runway controller, the departure controller, the supervisor all call the tower home and they work like well trained conductors to keep the symphony of airport traffic playing flawlessly.
Flights begin and end here and the orchestra needs the maestros’ attention every minute of the day.
The music being played here is no operetta even on a sunny day… and when low clouds and mist envelope the concert hall, Wagnerian tunes need to be conducted, at times with repetition.
The airport surface is a complicated place and pilots have their task cut out for them. Taxiing aircraft are not really in their element and it is easy to miss a turn or find yourself facing down another lumbering jet. The presence of ground vehicles of various sorts only adds to the overall complication.
The maestros and the orchestra do not often play out of tune, but when they do, the results can be pretty spectacular. In Europe, there is more than
one runway incursion on average per day. Clearly, even more practice is required.
It is said that good architecture is frozen music. This certainly applies to a beautiful tower. Except that the music is not frozen… in fact it never stops.