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A terminal facility that uses air/ground communications, visual signaling, and other devices to provide ATC services to aircraft operating in the vicinity of an airport or on the movement area. Authorizes aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport controlled by the tower or to transit the Class D airspace area regardless of flight plan or weather conditions (IFR or VFR). A tower may also provide approach control services (radar or nonradar).
Listed in the Pilot/Controller Glossary as a cross-reference to TOWER, whose text is shown above.
Source FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary · checked 2026-08-25