Definition
Describes an airport that does not have an operating air traffic control tower. Pilots operating at a nontowered airport are responsible for sequencing themselves, announcing their position and intentions on a Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF), and following recommended traffic pattern procedures without ATC clearances or instructions.
Plain English
An airport with no control tower telling pilots what to do. Pilots talk to each other on a shared radio frequency and work out the order of takeoffs and landings themselves.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport-type discussions, flight planning, and traffic pattern procedures for airports without an operating control tower.
Derivation
Built from 'non-' (not) and 'towered' (having a control tower). The word simply means 'without a tower.' Worth noting: 'nontowered' is the current preferred FAA term, replacing the older 'uncontrolled,' which suggested no rules apply — which is misleading.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must use self-announce procedures on the common traffic advisory frequency to maintain separation and avoid conflicts with other aircraft.
Intuition Check
Do not read nontowered as “no tower building exists.” It means no operating control tower is controlling aircraft at that airport.
Example Sentence 1
Before entering the pattern at a nontowered airport, the pilot announced her position and intentions on the CTAF.
Example Sentence 2
Many training flights operate at nontowered fields where pilots follow standard traffic patterns.