Blaze Through the 2026 DoD ARFF Fire Academy Test – Ignite Your Firefighting Dream!

A controlled airport is characterized by having a staffed control tower that provides air traffic control services to manage the flow of aircraft in the vicinity of the airport and ensure safe takeoffs and landings. The presence of a control tower is essential for maintaining controlled airspace, where air traffic controllers communicate with pilots to provide instructions, clearances, and traffic advisories. This enhances safety by preventing collisions and managing the complexities of air traffic.

The other choices do not accurately define a controlled airport. For instance, a lack of air traffic control would instead characterize an uncontrolled airport, where pilots must communicate among themselves and navigate without guidance from a control tower. Some airports may be open only during daylight hours, but this does not inherently make them controlled or uncontrolled; operating hours can vary for different reasons. Lastly, limited flight operations could apply to both controlled and uncontrolled airports, as it may depend on various factors such as airport policies, weather conditions, or demand. Hence, a controlled airport is specifically identified by the functionality of a 24/7 staffed control tower.