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Committee hears concerns about tower radar and safety; staff seeks interagency support
Summary
Committee discussed lack of a visual/radar display in the tower and safety coordination with Savannah and a nearby air station; a pilot/controller described the current arrangement as "not good and it's not safe."
Committee members and airport staff flagged a continuing safety concern about the tower's limited visual or radar display and uneven information-sharing with nearby facilities. The director said staff is exploring options to obtain radar or a feed from the nearby air station and will seek congressional and military staff support.
A person who identified operational experience with local control said the system now requires Savannah to tell Hilton Head tower what to do for aircraft the tower is talking to and described that process as unsafe: "It's just not good and it's not safe." The director said he will pursue follow-ups with the air station and legislative staff and may seek letters of support.
Why it matters: staff said the mix of commercial flights, flight schools and military activity in the region increases complexity and that a tower-display/radar feed could materially improve situational awareness for controllers.
