August 21, 2019 message from the Airport Manager
San Carlos Airport Users:
As many of you are aware, the San Carlos air traffic control tower is a Federal Contract Tower (FCT), operated by SERCO through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Federal Contract Tower program. The Federal Contract Tower program is managed by the FAA and the San Carlos FCT is operated by SERCO at no cost to the San Carlos Airport.
The San Carlos FCT has been short staffed for several months. The air traffic manager position is vacant as well as several air traffic controller positions. Currently, the tower is being staffed by the acting air traffic manager, one full-time controller, and one SERCO “floating†controller. The San Carlos FCT is normally staffed with six controllers including the air traffic manager. Due to staffing, the San Carlos FCT may only allow traffic-pattern-flying between 11:30 AM and 4:30 PM daily (hours are subject to change).
The San Carlos controllers are working tirelessly to cover shifts and we are thankful for their dedication. The Airport Staff and San Carlos Pilots Association are coordinating with the FAA regarding staffing levels at the San Carlos FCT. The Airport will continue to provide updates via this email list. If you have comments that you would like us to forward to the FAA regarding this issue, please email Davi Howard, Airport Communications Specialist, at [email protected].
Feel free to contact me with any questions at 650.573.3700 or [email protected].
Thank you,
Gretchen Kelly
Airport Manager
