Possible to Get a Tour of the Tower?

Bigey

Bigey

Well-Known Member
Hey, always thought it was pretty cool - the airport towers. Do you think it's possible to get a tour now a days? My interests would be somewhere around LA: SNA, LGB, ONT, LAX.

Are there any rules against this? Any info would be appreciated - thanks!
 
Yeah, you can tour the tower, I believe that you just have to call ahead to schedule a time with them.
 
Getburned said:
Yeah, you can tour the tower, I believe that you just have to call ahead to schedule a time with them.
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Really? It's that easy? Im at least expecting some backround checks and stuff, no?
 
Bigey said:
Hey, always thought it was pretty cool - the airport towers. Do you think it's possible to get a tour now a days? My interests would be somewhere around LA: SNA, LGB, ONT, LAX.

Are there any rules against this? Any info would be appreciated - thanks!
Click to expand...


Yes, it is still possible to get a tour of a control tower. I toured one of the local towers in the Phoenix, AZ area about six months ago.

According to the tower manager you will need to do the following things:

1. Call 24 hours in advance and request a tour.
2. On the day of the tour you will need to sign a logbook and present a valid ID from a government entity.


Some suggestions:
-Visit a control tower of a smaller or less busy airport. They will probably be more willing/able to give a tour than a larger airport.

-Ask plenty of questions. I'm sure they appreciate someone taking an interest in their profession.

-It helps if you are an aviation student/professional. The tower manager will be more willing to give the tour to those people who will really benefit from the tour rather than the regular layperson.

If you have any questions, PM me.

AZ
 
AZBigDog said:
Yes, it is still possible to get a tour of a control tower. I toured one of the local towers in the Phoenix, AZ area about six months ago.

According to the tower manager you will need to do the following things:

1. Call 24 hours in advance and request a tour.
2. On the day of the tour you will need to sign a logbook and present a valid ID from a government entity.


Some suggestions:
-Visit a control tower of a smaller or less busy airport. They will probably be more willing/able to give a tour than a larger airport.

-Ask plenty of questions. I'm sure they appreciate someone taking an interest in their profession.

-It helps if you are an aviation student/professional. The tower manager will be more willing to give the tour to those people who will really benefit from the tour rather than the regular layperson.

If you have any questions, PM me.

AZ
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Awesome to hear! Well ONT isnt as close as busy as LAX, so if need being, i will try there.

And by the time im done with the questions - they'll be kicking me out! Haha

Yes, im an aviation student, so if that helps, i will definately let them know!

Thanks!!
 
Bigey said:
Awesome to hear! Well ONT isnt as close as busy as LAX, so if need being, i will try there.
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If you can organize a small group of pilots (5 or 6) you also stand a better chance getting into a bigger facility since many prefer groups rather than having individuals come one at a time. Call and ask the more accommodating you are to the facility the more they will work with you. You might even think about making it a safety seminar (Airspace and Controlled Airports) and work with your local FSDO Safety Program Manager to arrange the tour. It's a great way to meet other pilots, meet people within your local FSDO (not a bad thing to meet on good terms) and network. Good luck!
 
Get with your Flight Instructor - (s)he should be perfectly aware of the local procedures in your area to get a tour of the ATC facilities. I typically get a tour of the tower cab as well as the TRACON. I grab a bunch of students and we do it!!
 
airplay said:
If you can organize a small group of pilots (5 or 6) you also stand a better chance getting into a bigger facility since many prefer groups rather than having individuals come one at a time.
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Maby you should try and see about the 21st? Because you'll already have atleast 5 people in the same area so you have a better chance at getting into a larger airport.
 
Go around lunch time and say that you'll be bringing in a few Pizzas for everyone. That tends to go over really well with the tower controllers.


Mike
 
I know that Potomac Tracon does tours on a regular basis. See if there's something similar going on with your facilities.
 
Van_Hoolio said:
Go around lunch time and say that you'll be bringing in a few Pizzas for everyone. That tends to go over really well with the tower controllers.

Mike
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And when you do, make sure you constantly tell them your name. So next time you hear:

"Cessna 145 number 3 to land, follow Katana on downwind"
you can just say "Twr, be advised, Bigey is piloting Cessna 145"
and then, magically you'll hear "United 23 go-around, Katana 243 extend downwind, Cessna 145 cleared for the option"
:rawk:
 
Van_Hoolio said:
Go around lunch time and say that you'll be bringing in a few Pizzas for everyone. That tends to go over really well with the tower controllers.


Mike
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Donuts work better :)
 
As long as you're a U.S. citizen, you can give them short notice (24 hours) and walk up....if you're not, call them and they'll send a form for you to fill out and they'll send that to the TSA. About 2 months later the background check and approval will come and you can go up .....
 
Most facilities are open to visits, especially from pilots. Just be sure to be very respectful. I've had good luck trying to arrange visits in the evening around 9-10pm, when it is less hectic.
 
When I was instructing out of Gateway in PHX, I used to just ask over the ground freq if they had time for me to bring a student or two up. We used to go about once a month. Definatly bring cookies or pizza if you go.
 
i believe launchpad was right. as long as your a US citizen then you should have no problem. otherwise... you might be up there trying to guide an aircraft into the mountainside or something
 
I took a tour of LAX tower with about 15-20 minutes prior notice on a long break there last summer.
 
hattrick said:
i believe launchpad was right. as long as your a US citizen then you should have no problem. otherwise... you might be up there trying to guide an aircraft into the mountainside or something
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Alright, everyone, thanks for the help! Yes, i am a US Citizen, so that'll work for me. Terms of bringing food, shouldnt it a sealed package, as they dont know me and they probably wont eat it?

Also, how do i get in touch with the manager about this?

Now whoever i go with, do they have to be a student pilot too? As usual, im thinking about taking my dad. He's got fascination about it, but isnt a student of any sort.

Whoever is local to SoCal let me know if you'd be interested in going, i'll try and set something up then!
 
mtsu_av8er said:
I've never been asked for citizenship when bringing folks into the tower . . .
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Me neither... but I have been asked for food
lol.gif
 
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