Regulations and Government
U.S. Tower Closures Appear Inevitable
This tower at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Fla., is one of 238 that could close under cost-cutting at the FAA caused by the budget sequester. The FAA will release a finalized closure list on March 22 and then close affected towers on or about April 7. (Photo: City of St. Petersburg)
This tower at Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Fla., is one of 238 that could close under cost-cutting at the FAA caused by the budget sequester. The FAA will release a finalized closure list on March 22 and then close affected towers on or about April 7. (Photo: City of St. Petersburg)

A celebrity pilot who advocates for general aviation and a determined senator were no match this week for the FAA’s plans to close the towers at up to 238 U.S. airports in an effort to trim costs required under the budget sequester. The FAA planned to announce a finalized closure list on Monday, but the agency delayed its release until tomorrow due to the overwhelming number of appeals to keep the towers open.