Simple Flying - Vyte Klisauskaite

A black and yellow non-movement area line indicates where the ramp tower's jurisdiction ends, and the ATC's responsibility begins.

The Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower is a familiar sight for those who frequently travel. But only a few are aware of another tower, usually known as the ramp tower, that plays a significant role in managing the movements of aircraft.

In the dance of airport operations, aircraft movements are closely coordinated to ensure safety and efficiency. One crucial aspect of this process is the responsibilities of the ramp towers, which serve as the center for managing ground operations within the gate area, which falls outside the purview of the ATC tower.

Before pushback and taxi, it is customary for a flight crew to establish contact with the ramp tower, as they are responsible for directing the aircraft's movements from the gate to the taxiway.

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