FAA Approves BTP for a Federal Contract Tower

Contract Control Tower Development

Based on a cost benefit analysis, the FAA approved BTP for participation in its Federal Contract Tower Program in 2024. BTP has until 2031 to engineer, site, design, build, and make operational a control tower to be staffed by FAA-contracted air traffic controllers. In June 2026, the Butler County Airport Authority, in conjunction with FAA teams and authority engineers, choose a site on the south side of the runway for the tower. The authority is now working on its site report to the FAA and will soon begin environmental planning and architectural design. It plans to continue the operational design, FAA approvals, and local permitting in 2027. As all current and future control tower expenses, except for paying actual controllers, are the responsibility of the airport authority, the airport authority will seek grants, appropriations, and donations to fund the construction, tentatively planned for 2028-2029.