What does a tower, also known as "local control," regulate?

The tower, commonly referred to as "local control," is responsible for managing traffic within a specific airspace around an airport. It regulates the flow of aircraft not only on the runway but also within the traffic pattern—this includes departures, arrivals, and maneuvers that will keep air traffic safe and orderly. Additionally, local control supervises operations in the surrounding airspace to ensure that aircraft are properly spaced and that there are no conflicts, particularly during busy times at the airport.

This function is essential to maintaining safety and efficiency in operations, as local controllers use communication with pilots to manage their movements, clear them for takeoff and landing, and provide instructions to ensure that all air traffic can operate harmoniously within the designated airspace. The other options listed do not reflect the comprehensive responsibilities of local control, especially regarding the management of traffic in specific airspace around the airport.