Solar View Tower Operations

ATCT Shades Manufactured to FAA Specifications

Solar Protection Without Compromising Airfield Visibility

Air Traffic Control Tower personnel rely on clear visibility of runways, taxiways, aircraft, and surrounding airport operations.

Solar View’s specialized ATCT window shades are designed to reduce intense sunlight and glare while maintaining outside visibility.

Unlike our standard commercial reflective Mylar Shades, our aviation shade material uses a specialized polyester film construction without a metallic reflective layer.

The material is designed to meet the optical performance requirements outlined in FAA-E-2470b, including:

  • Visible Light Transmission: No more than 6%

  • Ultraviolet Light Transmission: No more than 4%

  • Total Solar Energy Rejected: At least 48%

These characteristics help reduce solar exposure while preserving the outside visibility essential to air traffic control operations.

Specialized ATCT Motorized Shade Operating Systems

Air Traffic Control Towers require specialized window shade systems designed to provide reliable solar protection while maintaining clear visibility of runways, taxiways, aircraft, and surrounding airfield operations.

Most Air Traffic Control Tower shades are motorized, allowing controllers to raise, lower, and position shades without manually operating individual rollers. Chain-operated systems are also available when needed.

Solar View provides custom shades designed to accommodate existing motorized operating systems and the unique window configurations found in control tower cabs.

  • Motorized Operation: Allows convenient adjustment of window shades.

  • Precise Shade Positioning: Helps controllers manage sunlight and glare throughout the day.

  • Existing System Compatibility: Replacement shades can be manufactured for compatible existing motorized systems.

  • Custom Specialty Cuts: Shades are fabricated to accommodate unique window shapes, angles, and dimensions.

  • Chain Operation: Available when manual operation is required.

  • Specialized FAA-5 Material: Nonmetallic shade material designed for aviation applications where communications compatibility is important.

ATCT Shade Performance & Benefits

Solar View’s specialized Air Traffic Control Tower shades are designed to provide solar protection while maintaining the clear outside visibility essential to aviation operations.

  • Glare Reduction: Helps reduce intense sunlight and distracting glare.

  • UV Protection: Limits ultraviolet radiation entering the control tower.

  • Solar Heat Reduction: Helps reduce solar heat entering through large tower windows.

  • Airfield Visibility: Helps preserve essential visibility of runways, taxiways, aircraft, and surrounding airport operations while reducing sunlight and glare..

  • Nonmetallic FAA-5 Material:Specialized nonmetallic aviation shade material designed for Air Traffic Control Tower applications where avoiding interference with communications equipment is essential.

  • Custom Fabrication: Specialty-cut shades designed to accommodate angled, tapered, and irregular tower windows.

Custom-Cut Shades for Unique Tower Window Shapes

Specialty fabrication for angled, tapered, and irregular ATCT windows

Approximately 99% of ATCT shades require specialty cuts to accommodate the unique shapes, angles, and dimensions of control tower windows.

Unlike conventional rectangular window shades, ATCT shades frequently require precision fabrication to fit angled, tapered, trapezoidal, and other irregular window configurations.

Solar View specializes in manufacturing custom-cut replacement shades to match the specific window dimensions and existing shade systems found in military and civilian Air Traffic Control Towers.

"Specialized Solar Protection for Air Traffic Control Towers"

Custom Aviation Shades Built for ATCT Requirements

Request an ATCT Shade Quote
See How Our Shades Are Made

What Is a Fabric-Wrapped Fascia?

A fabric-wrapped fascia conceals the roller tube and mounting hardware, creating a clean, finished appearance. The fascia is wrapped in coordinating fabric to match your shade for a seamless, professional look. It is recommended for outside-mounted shades or any installation where the roller is visible.

Solar View – Roll Shade Measurement Guidelines

SolarView will provide custom roll shades made to the measurements that the customer records.

1. Understanding Measurements

  • All measurements must be recorded in inches, rounded down to the nearest 1/8 inch.

    • Width = Left to right
    • Height = Top to bottom
    • Depth = Front to back (inside the window casement)

2. Important Requirements

    • Measure at the bracket installation points.
      The width must be taken at the exact location where the brackets will be mounted.
      → Do NOT measure based on the desired shade fabric size.
    • Use a steel measuring tape only.
      Cloth or flexible tapes are not accurate enough.
    • Accepted units: Inches with fractions (rounded down to nearest 1/8″).
      → Feet, decimals, and metric measurements will not be accepted.
    • Record exact window measurements.
      Do not add or subtract anything—Solar View will make appropriate manufacturing adjustments.

3. Rounding Instructions

  • Round down to the nearest 1/8 inch.
    Examples:

    • 35 3/16″ → record 35 1/8″
    • 27 5/32″ → record 27 1/8″
    • 42 7/16″ → record 42 3/8″

Tools Needed

Included Hardware

  • Cordless drill or screwdriver
  • ¼” hex drive attachment
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil & level
  • Possibly a 3/32″ drill bit
  • Specific wall anchors when needed
  • 2 universal brackets
  • 4 × #6 × ¾” self‑tapping screws (for wood, sheet metal, aluminum)
  • 2 flat‑head screws for clutch side (inside/jamb mount)

Mollies/toggles for plaster, drywall, or concrete are not included.

Bracket Notes:

Faber/Benthin universal brackets may be mounted left or right, inside, outside, or on the ceiling. Brackets must be installed perfectly level for proper shade operation.

Standard bracket length: 1 3/8″. Extended length: 2 3/8″.

Inside Measurement (IM) Guidelines

What is an Inside Measurement (IM)?

  • Inside Measurement refers to ordering a shade to be installed inside the window casement. When you provide an IM width, you are giving the exact space within the opening.
    The factory will then take precise deductions to ensure the shade, brackets, and rotating control mechanism fit properly.

Factory Deductions & Side Gaps

  • Round down to the nearest 1/8 inch.
    Examples:

    • 35 3/16″ → record 35 1/8″
    • 27 5/32″ → record 27 1/8″
    • 42 7/16″ → record 42 3/8″

  • Because of these required deductions:

  • IM shades will ALWAYS have a gap of up to 5/8” on both sides

  • (± 1/8” depending on tolerances)

    This gap is necessary so the shade can raise, lower, and rotate freely.

Example

  • If you order a shade at:

    • IM Width: 70”

    The shade will be manufactured to fit within that 70” space.
    However, due to bracket/mechanism allowances:

    • Approximate material width (including bottom bar): 68 ¾”

    This remaining space is the functional “gap” required for operation.

When IM Gaps Are Not Acceptable

If the side gap is visually unacceptable or you need more complete coverage:

Consider an Outside Bracket Mount (OB)

Mounting the shade on the wall, trim, or mullion allows you to add width beyond the window opening and cover more area.

When IM Gaps Are Not Acceptable

If the side gap is visually unacceptable or you need more complete coverage:

Consider an Outside Bracket Mount (OB)

Mounting the shade on the wall, trim, or mullion allows you to add width beyond the window opening and cover more area

Important Ordering Rules

  • Do NOT use fabric/material width or bottom bar width as measurements.
    These are not accepted for ordering and will result in incorrect shade sizing.
  • Record only true window opening dimensions.
    The manufacturing team will apply all appropriate deductions.
  • Check for obstructions.
    Trim, molding, handles, sensors, and other protrusions must be measured and accounted for before ordering.
  • Photos or additional measurements may be required to ensure a proper custom fit.

Outside Measurement (OM / OB) Guidelines

What Is an Outside Measurement (OM)?

  • Outside Measurements—also referred to as Outside Bracket (OB) measurements—are used when mounting the shade outside the window casement. This includes mounting on:

    • The outer window casing
    • Wall surface
    • Ceiling
    • Trim or molding
    • Mullions

  • When you provide an OM/OB measurement, you are giving the exact dimensions you want the shade to cover, based on where the brackets will be installed.

Factory Deductions

  • OB measurements are manufactured with NO factory deductions.

    The shade will be made exactly to the width and height you order.

    This gives you complete control over the final coverage area.

Improved Light Gap Coverage

  • For Outside Mount installations, you can eliminate or reduce light gaps by:

     Simply adding extra width to your bracket mounting measurement.

    Because the shade sits outside the opening, you can widen the shade beyond the window frame to improve privacy and light control.

Golden Rule for OB Measurements

Always measure to and from the exact points where the brackets will be installed.

This ensures:

  • Correct overall width
  • Proper bracket alignment
  • Accurate shade fit
Outside mount roller shade with matching end cap and fascia for a clean, finished appearance.