Virtual Tower

The FAA has been involved in a number of research and development programs to study the use of airport situational awareness systems capable of supporting remote, or virtual, Air Traffic Control (ATC) separation and clearance services. To date, these systems are highly complex and expensive, focusing on virtual reality (VR) concepts (the use of VR headsets and simulation mapping technology) which introduce challenging human-computer interface factors into air traffic control.

For small airports and heliports, Vector deploys its unique optics systems coupled with remote Web-based access to provide a simple, straight-forward solution moving the virtual tower concept forward. Vector’s Virtual Tower provides real-time situational awareness of low-density airfield operations. The system has a low deployment cost, is simply interfaced with commercial off the shelf (COTS) support systems, requires little infrastructure, and can be in place within a matter of hours.

The concept of operations (ConOps) of Vector’s Virtual Tower is simple: Virtual Tower can reduce the manned-tower footprint across the US, particularly for a number of low-level operations airports (non-air carrier airport/GA). Air traffic control specialists can remotely view multiple airports with independent displays for each airport, monitoring the critical surfaces important to a local controller -- hold line, runway surface and final approach course – and where necessary, a view of the taxi areas. Vector’s low-cost technology is in the field today at remote airfields and heliports, providing surface awareness for airport operators 24 hours a day via an intuitive Web-based interface. Historical activity data is stored and easily accessible, providing N-numbers and recorded playback of activities occurring at the airport.