ATC
Leesburg Moving On from Its Remote Tower
The town of Leesburg, Virginia will use an FAA mobile tower to temporarily replace the remote tower that had operated at Leesburg Executive Airport.
Aerial view of Leesburg Executive Airport in Virginia
Leesburg Executive Airport is switching to a mobile tower until a permanent contract tower can be built. (Photo: Town of Leesburg, Virginia)

The town of Leesburg, Virginia, is keeping ATC services available at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO) with an FAA mobile tower that began operating on June 22 to replace a remote tower that is closing. The FAA is shutting down the uncertified remote tower operating at KJYO after eight years of development following Saab's decision not to complete system design review and withdrawing from the project. Saab has deployed more modern remote towers that are operating in other countries.

Meanwhile, the FAA said it will pay for the mobile tower lease and controllers at KJYO through September. Leesburg officials plan to enter the federal contract tower (FCT) program and must construct a permanent tower by 2028. “The agency is working with them to identify applicable funding and grant programs,” the FAA said in an email response to questions.