Overview
The overwhelming majority of airports in the United States do not have or need an operating air traffic control tower. From the beginning student pilot to the experienced airline pilot flying for leisure, uncontrolled airports are great places to fly due to lower operating costs and usually tranquil airspace. However, the necessary downside of nontowered airports is the lack of air traffic control providing positive aircraft separation on the occasion that the airport becomes busy. To maintain high margins of safety while operating into uncontrolled airports, pilots must exercise heightened vigilance and clear radio communications to avoid conflicts with other aircraft.