Coffman, Perlmutter call on FAA to prevent closure of Front Range Airport’s traffic control tower PDF Print

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Reps. Mike Coffman and Ed Perlmutter called on the Federal Aviation Administration to keep Front Range Airport Air Traffic Control Tower funded and operating.

The full text of the letter can be found here—

Michael P. Huerta
Administrator
Federal Aviation Administration
800 Independence Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20591

Dear Administrator Huerta:

We are writing to inform you that we believe the possible closure of the Front Range Airport (FTG) Air Traffic Control Tower as a result of the automatic Fiscal Year 2013 spending cuts would be inappropriate and harmful.

Front Range Airport is only six miles from Denver International Airport (DIA), the 5th busiest airport in the country. Control of all aircraft movement in and around DIA is obviously very important. Without the tower at FTG, an increase to the workload of regional and other controllers to ensure separation, and thus a reduction in safety, can be expected.

Maintaining the tower at Front Range Airport is imperative because it is utilized by military aircraft.  The 5th Battalion /19th Special Forces is located at FTG, and uses the airfield continually as a parachute drop zone and training area.  This will not happen without the safety provided by the air traffic control tower.  Additionally, FTG has an active Letter of Understanding with the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs to provide a controlled airfield and training environment, both in the air and on the ground. This training cannot occur without the safety factor the tower provides.

Finally, the tower at FTG is a key part of the developing Space Port Colorado, which will help move our nation towards our emerging transportation and aerospace future.  Closing the tower will delay the economic potential our nation could reap from this advance.

We hope that you will keep the Front Range Airport Air Traffic Control Tower funded and operating. Please feel free to contact us if you wish to discuss the importance of this tower.

Sincerely,

Mike Coffman                                                                                   Ed Perlmutter
U.S. Congress                                                                                   U.S. Congress

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