JO 7210.3 Facility Operation and AdministrationJO 7210.3EE · Change 3 · Effective 7/9/2026
Chapter 11 · Section 2
Operations and Staffing
6 Paragraphs11-2-1–11-2-6
11-2-1 REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES
The FCT contracts specify the terms under which ATC services will be provided, including hours of operation for each FCT.
FAA personnel must not require actions of the contractor that fall outside the scope of the contract; for example, extension of the hours of operation or requests for additional staffing. Only the CO can effect modifications to a contract.
11-2-2 FAA STAFFING FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
AJT district offices must coordinate with AJT-22 whenever FAA staffing for special events (for example, Sun 'n Fun, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, etc.) will be needed at an FCT, and provide staffing and supervisory schedules for the tower during the event.
NOTE
At no time can an FAA controller act in a supervisory capacity (OM/OS/CIC/Trainer, etc.) over an FCT controller, nor can an FCT controller act in a supervisory capacity over an FAA controller.
11-2-3 LETTERS OF AGREEMENT (LOA)
FCTs are authorized to negotiate with, and enter into LOAs with FAA facilities, National Airspace System (NAS) users, and airport operators/tenants in accordance with FAA directives.
The AJT district must provide assistance to the FCT air traffic manager for the development of local procedures, facility LOAs, etc.
The contractor must comply with the service area's LOA processing procedures.
Within 90 days of assuming air traffic manager responsibilities, the FCT Air Traffic Manager (ATM)will conduct and document a review of the facility LOAs to determine if they are operationally valid and accurately reflect the facility's procedures.
11-2-4 EMERGENCY AND CONTINGENCY SITUATIONS
FAA facilities must provide assistance to FCTs during emergency and/or contingency situations. Requests outside the scope of an LOA or approved contingency plan must be coordinated through the Service Center.
11-2-5 FACILITY DIRECTIVES REPOSITORY (FDR)
In addition to other required directives, FCT ATMs will ensure the most current version of all facility LOAs are uploaded into the Facility Directives Repository. Directives deemed proprietary will have only the dated or revision-numbered cover page uploaded.
NOTE
LOAs containing contingency plan information must not be posted to the FDR. LOAs with such information must be posted to the National Operational Contingency Plan database.
11-2-6 FAA CONTRACT TOWER (FCT) AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER ELIGIBILITY
A person must meet the requirements of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), Aeronautics and Space, part 65 and part 67, and have held a previous Control Tower Operator (CTO) certificate or FAA Air Traffic Safety Oversight (AOV) credential with a tower rating.
Persons not holding a previous CTO certificate or AOV credential with a tower rating must have a valid Enhanced Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (E-CTI) tower endorsement letter or graduated from an FAA‐approved Control Tower Operator Partnership (CTO-P) school.
There is no maximum age restriction for FCT air traffic controllers.