Originally Posted by
MPN11
ex-Mil ATCO perspective. Whilst I fully agree that the Captain is wholly responsible for operating the aircraft (and rightly so) a Local Controller should be more than just a parrot repeating clearances. Certainly in my former world, even at very busy units, the controller should (vis/wx permitting) ensure that the runway is clear and monitor closely all aircraft approaches and movements in his area of responsibility. That’s why one of our tools was a pair of binoculars immediately ro hand.
.
Do not put military and civil operations on a par here . I a large airport such as Karachi , the binoculars are not there monitor if landing gears are extended. In any case you need your 2 hands to do something else.
I know in this case it this was a single aircraft due Corona, but this how civil TWR controllers are trained today.