Tutorial
3. Flight Service Station
Flight Service Stations (FSS) and Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) are FAA air traffic facilities thatprovide valuable services to private pilots. They provide pilot briefings, en route radio communications and VFRsearch and rescue services. For example, a pilot is preparing a flight plan and needs weather flight informationfor the departure airport, the route she wants to fly and the destination airport at which she will land. She callsthe local FSS, provides information about her flight plans, and asks for a briefing. The FAA specialists thereprovide her with the necessary information. FSS stations also assist lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations.For example, if a private pilot becomes disoriented or loses his way during a flight, he can contact by radio acontroller located in the flight service station. Based upon observations made by the pilot, the pilot's filedflight plan and other navigation equipment, the FSS controller can re-direct the pilot back on course. If a pilotfinds herself in an emergency situation and must make an unscheduled landing, the controller in the FSS can contactemergency services in that area and get assistance to the pilot quickly.
The FSS also relays ATC clearances, and generates the recordingsfor its area's Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs). The FSS broadcasts aviation weather and National Airspace System (NAS)information. The Station receives and processes VFR and IFR flight plans for private pilots, and monitors NAVAIDS.In addition, at selected locations an FSS provides an En Route Flight Advisory Service (Flight Watch), gathersweather data, and issues airport advisories. The FSS also advises US Customs and Immigration of trans-border flights.There are 15 Flight Service Stations (FSS) in the United States.
Just as electronics and new technology have updated thecockpit, modernization has come to the Flight Service Station. The Automated Flight Service Station is equippedwith newer technology to better assist the Specialists there in providing Air Traffic services to pilots. Thereare 61 Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) in the United States.
Preflight Briefings
The Aeronautical Information Manual states that "pilots-in-command, BEFORE BEGINNING A FLIGHT, shall familiarizethemselves with all available information concerning that flight."
FSS locations are the primary source for obtaining preflightbriefings and in-flight weather briefings. Pilots may walk into any FSS to review available aviation weather productsand charts, or they may choose to use telephones or radio.
Three types of preflight briefings are available: the StandardBriefing, Abbreviated Briefing, and the Outlook Briefing. To properly tailor the briefing for a flight the brieferneeds background information about the proposed flight.
The required background information includes:
Background information is mandatory data for the weatherbriefer. If any of these nine items are missing, a briefer may be unable to properly tailor the briefing to thespecific flight the pilot has planned.
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