Aero-Linx!

Scouring the information super airways can sometimes be a tough, if educational, task for the Aero-News staff... but it also allows us to check out some truly neat and exciting sites, so it's not that bad a gig. On any given day, we may check dozens (and often hundreds) of different sources for story ideas, and facts confirmation. And, as is the nature of our business, much of this is done on the Internet.

The ANN gang decided we probably shouldn't keep some of the neat sites, info resources, and organizations we've discovered to ourselves... so we decided to bring you Aero-Linx. These are the sites that WE check out -- when we need added perspective, a new spin on a day's topic... or just want to escape into cyber-aero-space for awhile.

Look for some of our favorite sites, coming each day to ANN via Aero-Linx. Suggestions for future Aero-Linx segments are always welcome, as well.

Aero Linx: U.S. Contract Tower Association

The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) created the U.S. Contract Tower Association in 1996 to promote FAA’s Contract Tower Program and to enhance aviation safety at smaller airports. USCTA coordinates contract tower issues on a regular basis with Congress, DOT/FAA, NTSB, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the DOT IG. The association sponsors an annual workshop in Washington, D.C., which allows members to hear updates on the program directly from the FAA officials who administer it.

The primary advantages of FAA’s Contract Tower Program are enhanced safety, improved ATC services and significant VFR ATC cost savings to FAA, according to the association website. A DOT Inspector General audit of the FAA Contract Tower Program, released Nov. 5, 2012, concluded that FAA contract towers continue to provide cost-effective and safe air traffic control services and operate at a lower cost than similar FAA-operated towers.

A total of 253 airports participate in FAA’s Contract Tower Program as of Jan. 1, 2016.

FMI: www.aaae.org/aaae/USCTA/About/USCTA/About/About.aspx?hkey=ed07f491-9e46-45d8-bf12-0550a89b7df2