Tower Positions - Santa Barbara ATCT and Tracon

TOWER CAB

The 11 story control tower soars 144 feet high. It faces the Pacific ocean on one side and the 4,000 foot high Santa Ynez mountains on the other. Between the top floor (cab) and the bottom floor (offices and the TRACON), there are computer training labs, more offices, and a break room with a kitchen. The tower delegated airspace is the Class C Surface area which is 1500 feet and below south of the shoreline and 3000 feet and below north of the shoreline inside of a 5 mile radius. Three main control position are located inside of the tower. Below the three main control positions are listed with some of duties of each explained:

Flight Data/Clearance Delivery:

     - Ensure flight plans remain active in the FDIO
     - Transcribe ATIS broadcasts
     - Transmit ATC clearances to departing aircraft
     - Obtain and relay flow releases and or restrictions
     -  Enter VFR departure flight plans into the STARS/FDIO and issue squawk codes to facilitate VFR flight following enroute
     - Augment ASOS (weather) observations via the ASOS OID

GROUND CONTROL:

     - Responsible for the taxiways and movement areas
     - Keep aircraft clear of intersections that would interfere with arriving aircraft turning off the runway.
     - Ensure aircraft taxi to the assigned runway via the correct route and verify pilots read back "hold short" instructions with their call sign

LOCAL CONTROL (Tower):

     - Depart and land aircraft in a safe, orderly, and expeditious manner
     - Responsible for the runways and taxiways in between the parallels
     - Formulate and issue clearances to arriving SVFR aircraft
     -  Be familiar with published noised abatement procedures
     - Operate airport and approach lighting systems, RVR, and Runway Closure Light System
     - Ensure that IFR aircraft departing for airports where flow control is in effect, depart within the time authorized

TOWER CAB

First tower at SBA

Old tower at SBA

Current tower at SBA