# Take Control of the Tower — Can you direct air traffic?

> Air traffic control simulation game for managing takeoffs, landings, and unexpected situations. (iPhone/iPad app by Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/take-control-of-the-tower/id592094848 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland](https://appshunter.io/developer/1485234855)
- Category: Games, Entertainment, Simulation, Strategy
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.06/5 from 148 App Store ratings · 120 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 132 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-02-18
- Data updated: 2026-07-23
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/take-control-of-the-tower/id592094848/reviews.md

## What is Take Control of the Tower?

Prove your skills as an air traffic controller in our new game Take Control of the Tower. 

In this game you'll learn what it's like to take off and land airplanes safely and efficiently. Expand your skills on new routes and with different airplanes. 

Learn to deal with unexpected situations that real air traffic controllers also have to face. Make your way through the levels and beat your friends in the rankings. 

The best performing players are awarded with a badge for their exceptional performance within the game.

Can you stay sharp and keep track? Is there an air traffic controller hidden within you?

Take Control of the Tower!

## Key features

- Direct takeoffs and landings
- Manage different airplanes and routes
- Handle unexpected situations
- Progress through levels
- Compete on leaderboards
- Earn performance badges

## What do users think of Take Control of the Tower?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 🎮 Addictive and engaging gameplay
- 🎨 Good graphics and visual design
- 🔊 Quality sound effects and voice alerts
- 🧠 Mentally challenging and stimulating
- ✈️ Realistic air traffic control concept
- 📱 Works well on iPad devices
- 🎯 Smooth plane response mechanics

**Cons**

- 🐛 Planes collide off-screen with no player control
- 🚫 Frequent unexpected runway closures mid-landing
- 📏 Airport takes up too much screen space
- 🎮 Difficulty spikes dramatically between levels
- 🌪️ Random wind changes cause instant failures
- ❌ Planes take off automatically when time expires
- 🔤 Confusing runway landing/takeoff indicators
- 📱 Poor compatibility with iPhone (especially 6+)
- 🎯 Difficult to tap planes on smaller screens
- ⚠️ Uncontrollable events penalize player unfairly
- 🔄 Only 5 levels total in game
- 🌍 Incomplete English localization

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Planes do not follow assigned courses
- Planes spin unexpectedly during flight
- Takeoff commands not registered
- Game crashes on certain devices
- Approach lights misaligned with runways
- No planes appear on iPad in some versions
- Game freezes at bird strike level
- File not found error (topdown_i2001.atf)
- Runway lights offset from actual runway graphics
- Tutorial plane won't land
- Game not searchable in App Store

**Most requested features**

- More levels and airports
- Full English language support
- Zoom functionality for better visibility
- Multiple runways open simultaneously
- Adjustable traffic rates
- Score/statistics display on failure
- Tower view perspective
- Ground control game variant
- Better bird strike tutorial
- Realistic runway configuration
- Language selection option
- Remove Facebook login requirement

## Recent user reviews (10 of 120)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/take-control-of-the-tower/id592094848/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Abandoned Game?

*2025-12-18, version 4.0.1*

This game only has five levels and I believe the game has a flaw. The aircraft will collide with each other at the edge of the screen. It will warn you, but the way the controls work it is too late and the planes collide, forcing you to start over. 

I think this game has been abandoned by the developers.

### 2/5 — Way too difficult

*2025-10-16, version 4.0.1*

Too many variables that are out of your control. Planes crash off screen. I can’t do anything about that! Then, if you’re skilled and lucky enough to  have survived, you’re about to complete a level, the wind changes, the landing strip changed and your planes crash. Too frustrating. Not fun. Could’ve been though. 
Two stars for the graphics.

### 3/5 — Fun concept but bad player experience

*2025-04-11, version 4.0.1*

Planes taking off on their own when time is up … I get that it’s for difficulty of the game. But that is just wrong, that’s pilot deviation.

### 3/5 — Fun Game … but

*2025-03-24, version 4.0.1*

The game is addictive and fun. Problem is that once you get the hang of it, plane crashes occur in the margin where you can’t see them or control them.

### 1/5 — Buggy or bad design?

*2024-09-11, version 4.0.1*

Played for about 10 minutes. Thought it was going to be decent but then on one level it shut down all the runways. I had 3 planes in the air circling for 1 minute with nowhere to land. Then time ran out and I failed the level. If this happens on level 3, I hate to see the bugs further down the road.

### 1/5 — Not what I was expecting

*2024-07-05, version 4.0.1*

Firstly the active landing runway can swap at any time even if a plane is about to land, but when selecting a runway it’s not super clear which is for landing and which is takeoff because the chevrons are faint and placed on top of much brighter chevrons which make it look like every runway is for landing. Then finally the airport takes up so much of the screen it’s super crowded.

Really not fun, it’s just annoying at every step

### 1/5 — Unplayable after level 4

*2024-04-15, version 4.0.1*

So I started playing today and we get to level 4 and as the last plane enters the screen you get a notification saying strong wind from the east all runways closed just as you are about to complete the level. So the last plane has to fly around for the remaining 1:20 on the timer and you have to start again.

### 5/5 — WOW

*2023-12-05, version 4.0.1*

This game is the best air traffic control game I played, I LOVE IT

### 1/5 — Don’t get it.

*2023-09-01*

Searching for TCOTT in the App Store does not work. 
I tried tutorial but plane won’t land.

### 3/5 — Scores ontbreken

*2022-07-27, version 4.0.1*

Ik vind het jammer dat, wanneer het niet lukt, ik niet kan zien hoeveel vliegtuigen ik dan wel heb kunnen laten opstijgen en landen.
Ook zou de aanduiding van waar landen en opstijgen mag duidelijker mogen (beide zijn geel) 
Verder inderdaad heel leuk en verslavend

## Frequently asked questions about Take Control of the Tower

### What is Take Control of the Tower about?

Take Control of the Tower is a simulation game where you act as an air traffic controller. You will learn to manage the safe and efficient takeoff and landing of airplanes, navigate various routes, and handle unexpected scenarios.

### What are the key features of this air traffic control game?

Key features include directing takeoffs and landings, expanding skills with new routes and different airplanes, dealing with unexpected situations, progressing through levels, competing with friends on rankings, and earning badges for exceptional performance.

### Is Take Control of the Tower free to play?

Yes, the application is free to download and play. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned, suggesting a completely free gaming experience.

### What kind of challenges can I expect in the game?

You can expect to face challenges similar to those real air traffic controllers encounter. This includes managing multiple aircraft, ensuring safe operations during takeoffs and landings, and adapting to unexpected events to maintain efficiency.

### Who is this game designed for?

This game is designed for individuals who want to test their skills as an air traffic controller. It appeals to those who enjoy strategic gameplay, management challenges, and the aviation theme.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0.4 — 2026-04-07

- App stability and third party improvements.

### 4.0.3 — 2026-03-04

- Resolved issues with the level progress bar not displaying the correct experience
- App stability and third party improvements.

### 4.0.2 — 2025-12-22

What is new in this version?

- We've made it less likely for planes to appear near each other during the gameplay.
- There are new Spotify and Youtube buttons in the menu
- You will receive experience and can level up through playing the game. Try to achieve the highest level possible!
- Localization has been added, you can change the language of the app to English or Dutch.
- Bugfixes and performance improvements

### 4.0.1 — 2022-04-05

Updated Facebook login

### 4.0 — 2021-08-17

In this game, you will learn what it is like to take off and land airplanes safely and efficiently. Expand your skills on new routes and with different airplanes. Learn to deal with unexpected situations that real air traffic controllers also have to face. 

Make your way through the levels and beat your friends in the rankings.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-23.*