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Would a temporary ATC tower NOT count towards my 3 solo towered takeoffs & landings??

Asked by: 1553 views Airspace, FAA Regulations, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

I'm nearly done with my private pilot training and my checkride date is quickly approaching. Until this past weekend circumstances have kept me from being able to complete my three solo takeoffs/landings at a towered airport. Then came a large wildfire nearby, necessitating the need for the FAA to establish a temporary ATC tower and 5 mile controlled airspace around my training airport (normally non-controlled) to handle all the firefighting air traffic. A tower (a trailer) was brought in and manned, a NOTAM was issued and a tower frequency established to be used during tower operating hours (0800-2100 local). 

I took the opportunity to wait until the tower was open one morning and, using proper ATC radio procedures, took to the air and completed my three solo takeoffs and landings. 

My question: Is there any reason, or rule, to have this activity NOT count towards my PPL training requirements?

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2 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Jul 29, 2021

    What does 61.109 say?

    “Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.”

    Note “at an airport with an operating control tower”.

    It doesn’t differentiate between permanent or temporary.

    I would, however, print out the NOTAM and save it to show the DPE, in case they notice and ask questions.

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  2. MrNomad on Jul 29, 2021

    Thanks Russ. I had done as you suggested and grabbed a screen capture of the NOTAM and stored it with my logbook entry in Foreflight.

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