On February 21, 2023, the FAA informed staff at the Leesburg Executive Airport that they are canceling the Remote Tower Pilot Program. The program began in March 2015 and has been providing air traffic control (ATC) services continuously at the airport since June 2018 for 10 hours a day (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Initially, the FAA announced that as part of the cancellation of the Remote Tower Pilot Program, ATC services at the airport would end on June 14, 2023.

While the Town of Leesburg has been a strong supporter of the Remote Tower Pilot Program, the Town's primary concern is safety at the airport. Recognizing that the Town has no role in the FAA's process for certifying remote tower technology and that certification, if pursued by the private sector vendor, could take as long as five years, the Town has focused its efforts on (1) finding an interim way for ATC services to be provided from the end of Remote Tower Program until a permanent tower is built and accepted into the Federal Contract Tower program, and (2) identify funding and an accelerated development schedule for the construction of a permanent tower.

Over the past several weeks, Town staff and the Town's lobbyists have had several productive and promising discussions with FAA officials. At this time, the Town is encouraged and hopeful that a solution allowing the uninterrupted continuation of ATC services at Leesburg Executive Airport will be found.

The Town would like to thank everyone who took the time to write to the FAA, or our Congressional delegation, or both, to express their concerns and support for the airport. Your efforts made a difference.

Below are links to documents that were included in the Leesburg Town Council's March 13 work session packet and the presentation given by Airport Director Scott Coffman to the Airport Advisory Commission on March 8.

If you have any questions about these documents, please contact Betsy Arnett, Senior Management Analyst.