Plain English Meaning

Airports with no tower telling pilots what to do. Pilots watch out for each other, talk on a shared radio frequency, and follow agreed-upon procedures so everyone stays safely apart.

Full Definition

Airports without an operating control tower, where pilots are responsible for separating themselves from other traffic by following standard traffic patterns, self-announcing their position and intentions on a common radio frequency, and visually scanning for other aircraft. No air traffic controller issues takeoff, landing, or taxi clearances at these airports.

Context Anchor

You will see this term when studying airport operations, traffic , , and how to arrive at or depart from airports without an operating control tower.