Aviation Term Of The Day - Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT)

Control Tower at Laguardia Airport

ATC (Air Traffic Control) is a service provided by a group of ground-based controllers who's prime duties entail directing the aircraft on the ground and controlled airspace in order to prevent collisions both in the air and on the ground.They manage the flow of traffic by communicating with pilots.
The control tower,therefore is the facility that is used by traffic controller's for their work.The ATCT can be found within or often around the terminal facility. The tower makes good use of air and ground communications, visual signaling, and other devices to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the movement area. Authorization for aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport is also one function Of the ATCT controlled by the tower.