"Jim Carter" wrote in message
...

When a private company like Phillips Petroleum operates the control
tower is it still considered a control tower?


Yes. There are many Non Federal Control Towers and FAA Contract Towers in
the US operated by private companies. They follow the same
rules as FAA and military towers, their controllers are issued a Control
Tower Operator certificate by the FAA.



They offer advisories but caution you they are not controlling traffic at
Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Neither are they part of ATC, however they
will open and close clearances as a courtesy. Things may have
changed because I haven't been there in a while, but there are still
privately operated towers around the country aren't there?


If they don't control traffic it's not a control tower, for that's what
control towers do. From the Pilot/Controller Glossary:

TOWER- A terminal facility that uses air/ground communications, visual
signaling, and other devices to provide ATC services to aircraft operating
in the vicinity of an airport or on the movement area. Authorizes aircraft
to land or takeoff at the airport controlled by the tower or to transit the
Class D airspace area regardless of flight plan or weather conditions (IFR
or VFR). A tower may also provide approach control services (radar or
nonradar).

The link below will open to a portion of the Kansas City Sectional showing
Bartlesville. Bartlesville Municipal Airport is depicted as a nontowered
field.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I11143169