Definition
A control facility established at an airport to provide air traffic control service to aircraft operating on the maneuvering area (taxiways and runways) and in the vicinity of the airport, typically within a defined airspace surrounding the field. Often referred to simply as the 'tower.'
Plain English
The tower at an airport whose controllers manage aircraft taxiing, taking off, landing, and flying close to the field.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in air traffic control, airport operations, and controlled-airport procedures.
Derivation
Aerodrome' comes from the Greek 'aero' (air) and 'dromos' (course or running track) -- literally an 'air course.' It is the international (ICAO) term for what U.S. pilots usually call an airport. Knowing this helps you recognize that 'aerodrome control tower' is simply the formal international name for an airport control tower.
Why Pilots Care
At airports with an active Aerodrome Control Tower, pilots must obtain clearances before entering runways or taxiways to maintain safe separation from other aircraft.
Intuition Check
A control tower does not control the airplane itself. It controls the flow of airport traffic by giving pilots instructions and clearances.
Example Sentence 1
On arrival, the pilot contacted the aerodrome control tower for landing clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Aerodrome Control Tower instructions kept arriving traffic sequenced safely behind a departing flight.