Venice considers digital air traffic control tower as residents raise concerns

VENICE, Fla. (WWSB) - Venice Municipal Airport is among several airports considering digital air traffic control tower technology, a proposal that has drawn concerns from a resident about safety, the environment and potential increases in air traffic.The airport currently does not have an air traffic control tower. Blake Swafford of Hanson Professional Services presented the digital tower plan to the Venice City Council in October.“Any airport that doesn’t have a tower, the pilots are actually responsible for basically separating themselves from each other,” Swafford said. “You can think of it like when you’re driving a car. You’re responsible for not running into other cars on the road and vice versa.”According to the FAA, digital towers use cameras and screens to allow controllers to monitor runways, taxiways and the airspace around an airport rather than looking out from a traditional tower. The Federal Aviation Administration says the technology gives controllers a continuous, 360-