What is an Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)?

Every takeoff, landing, and taxi maneuver at an airport relies on one vital structure: the Airport Traffic Control Tower (ATCT). These towers are the nerve centers of aviation safety, guiding aircraft through crowded skies and complex airfields with precision and coordination. Without them, the seamless choreography of modern air travel simply wouldn’t exist.

So, what does a site-specific tower design process actually look like? Designing an ATCT goes beyond just constructing a tall building with great views; it’s about engineering visibility, safety, and performance into the heart of airport operations. Each one is purpose-built for its airport and shaped by airfield geometry, technology, expansion, and the people who use it every day. 

For decades, Pond has helped shape an array of ATCTs at airports across the nation, from brand-new builds that mark a community’s growth to replacements of aging towers that no longer meet the needs of modern aviation.

We’re kicking off this ATCT series by pulling back the curtain on how these towers come to life and the critical role Pond plays in shaping the future of safe, efficient air travel.

From Concept to Completion: The Lifecycle of an Airport Traffic Control Tower

Every tower project follows a well-defined path from idea to operation, and Pond is uniquely positioned to support airports through each phase. Whether it’s a new facility or a modernization effort, the process typically unfolds in three key stages: siting, design, and construction.

1. Siting — Finding the Right Location

Before a single line is drawn, the team conducts an in-depth analysis to evaluate a tower’s optimal location in accordance with the FAA’s siting and safety assessment panel guidelines.

While siting is one of the most critical steps in ATCT delivery, it is also one many airport stakeholders rarely see firsthand, as the process is largely driven and reviewed at the federal level. The objective is to support clear, unobstructed visibility of all runways and taxiways while accounting for terrain, airfield geometry, environmental considerations, and future airport expansion.

Pond brings a unique perspective to this phase by leveraging UrbanViz, our proprietary, in-house virtual reality tool, offering realistic, computer-generated views to assess visibility and operational factors before advancing into planning and design. Pond is one of a few firms approved by the FAA to provide virtual reality modeling to support ATCT siting studies.

This modeling tool works in conjunction with the FAA’s VISTA process, helping stakeholders visualize and evaluate siting scenarios earlier and more clearly. We’ll take a deeper dive into siting and how these tools support informed decision-making in a future blog dedicated entirely to this topic.

2. Design — Shaping Form and Function

Once the site is approved, Pond’s architecture and engineering teams collaborate to bring the tower to life. Tower height, orientation, and structural systems are all evaluated against wind exposure, hazard mitigation, and long-term maintenance demands, while cab layout and sustainability features are shaped by projected usage, lifecycle costs, and safety requirements. The result is a tower designed to perform reliably under real-world operating conditions.

At Wiley Post Airport (PWA) in Bethany, Oklahoma—part of the Oklahoma City metro area— Pond’s design team is developing a new federal contract tower that integrates energy-efficient systems, advanced controller workstations, and improved accessibility for maintenance and training.

This stage blends form and function to create towers that not only meet FAA standards but also reflect the airport’s identity and mission.

3. Construction — Building for the Future

Finally, the project moves into construction, where planning and design are transformed into a tangible landmark. Pond provides construction-phase services and technical oversight to confirm that the tower is built to specification, aligned with safety requirements, and ready for decades of reliable operation.

At Max Westheimer Airport (OUN) in Norman, Oklahoma, construction is underway on a next-generation federal tower that will support expanded air operations and introduce modern sustainability features.

Together, these three phases form the lifecycle of an ATCT, from concept to commissioning. At every stage, Pond’s interdisciplinary expertise helps airports achieve safe, efficient, and enduring infrastructure.

Federal Contract Towers Designed to FAA Standards

Pond’s dedicated tower design team supports the development of federally funded ATCTs that are part of the Federal Contract Tower Program (FCTP). These towers are designed and constructed to meet FAA standards but are operated through local or contracted air traffic control services, not staffed by FAA controllers.

This distinction is important. While these towers meet the same rigorous safety and operational standards as FAA-staffed facilities, their local operation allows for greater flexibility, faster implementation, and more tailored service to the airport’s specific needs.

Contract towers often support high-growth regional airports and emerging aviation hubs, but may not meet the criteria for a fully FAA-operated facility. By filling this gap, contract towers provide safe, flexible air traffic control for growing airports and the communities who rely on them. 

Modernizing and Replacing Aging Towers

Not every tower project begins from scratch. Most airports already have control towers, but over time, those structures can become outdated, undersized, or poorly positioned for the airport’s evolving layout. New runways, expanded taxiway systems, or increased flight operations can all drive the need for a replacement or relocation.

In these cases, airports often turn to Pond to lead the initial approval and siting process. The objective is a modernized tower that supports operational growth, integrates emerging technology, and is designed to support long-term maintainability.

Building a Legacy of Safe, Efficient Airfields

Across the U.S., Pond has partnered with airports and federal agencies to deliver towers that improve safety and strengthen communities. From regional airports adding their first federally funded tower to large commercial hubs upgrading decades-old infrastructure, each project illustrates our commitment to quality, collaboration, and safety-focused design.

For many airport managers, an ATCT project is a once-in-a-career undertaking. For Pond, it’s the work we do every day: bringing repeatable experience, informed decision-making, and steady guidance to each unique site.

Every tower we design represents more than a structure. It’s a commitment to the future of aviation, built to serve controllers, pilots, and passengers alike. Pond’s depth of experience across planning, design, and construction management allows us to translate that commitment into towers that meet today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s challenges. Find more of Pond’s aviation projects and services.