What is the primary function of a control tower at an airport?

The primary function of a control tower at an airport is to manage the air traffic in the immediate vicinity of the airport. Control towers are essential for ensuring safe and efficient operations within the airspace surrounding the airport. They provide instructions to pilots regarding takeoff, landing, and taxiing, and they coordinate the movement of aircraft on the ground and in the airspace close to the airport. This management helps prevent collisions and ensures that aircraft are safely sequenced for arrival and departure.

In contrast, maintaining aircraft maintenance records falls outside the purview of a control tower; this task is typically the responsibility of aircraft operators and maintenance organizations. While assisting pilots with navigation is important, it is usually done through other means such as flight services or ground control rather than by the control tower itself. Additionally, while weather information is vital for pilots, control towers do not generally provide real-time weather updates; instead, this information is typically accessed through automated services or weather stations.