AFSS Guide
Learn what an AFSS can continue to do for you and how you can get the most value from every phone call or radio contact.
When you speak to a pilot weather briefer at an AFSS, you will hear many words that are new to you. Here’s a listing of what they are talking about. Study the terms in this glossary. If you can readily understand these terms, you will have a pretty good grasp of the weather and aeronautical terminology you will hear and use every time you fly.
Some definitions have been edited to improve clarity. Please see the Pilot/Controller Glossary contained in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for the official definition.
ADIZ FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan filed for a VFR aircraft which intends to operate in Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) airspace within which the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security. The Washington, D.C. ADIZ, coastal, and some border areas of the United States require such a flight plan.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS - Current or forecast conditions which may adversely affect a planned flight, such as Convective SIGMETS (for thunderstorms), SIGMETS (for severe turbulence and icing) AIRMETS (for moderate turbulence & icing, mountain obscuration and instrument flight
conditions (less than 1,000 foot ceilings and visibilities less than 3 miles.))
ADVISORY or ADVISORIES - See ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
ADVISORY SERVICE - Advice and information provided to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flight and aircraft movement.
AIRMET - In-flight weather advisories issued to amend the area forecast. An AIRMET concerns weather phenomena which is of operational interest to all aircraft and potentially hazardous to aircraft having limited capability because of lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications. AIRMETs concern weather of less severity than that covered by SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. AIRMETs cover moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles, and extensive mountain obscurement.
ALERT AREA - Airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft. Alert Areas are depicted on aeronautical charts for the information of nonparticipating pilots. Pilots of participating aircraft as well as pilots transiting the area are equally responsible for collision avoidance.
ALNOT - (Alert Notice) A request originated by a flight service station (FSS or AFSS) or an air route traffic control center (ARTCC) for an extensive communications search for overdue, unreported, or missing aircraft.
AVIATION WEATHER SERVICE - A service provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) and FAA which collects and disseminates weather information for pilots, aircraft operators, and ATC.
AWW - See SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERTS.
BROADCAST - A transmission of information for which an acknowledgment is not expected. Broadcasts are typically made by an AFSS over selected VORs, providing information about hazardous weather such as thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, and low weather conditions.
CENTER WEATHER ADVISORY - (CWA) An unscheduled weather advisory issued to alert pilots of existing or anticipated adverse weather conditions within the next 2 hours. A Center Weather Advisory may modify or redefine a SIGMET.
COMPOSITE FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan which specifies VFR operation for one portion of flight and IFR for another portion. It is used primarily in military operations.
CONTROLLED FIRING AREA - Airspace wherein activities are conducted under conditions so controlled as to eliminate hazards to nonparticipating aircraft and to ensure the safety of persons and property on the ground. In other words, and simply put - STAY OUT!
CONVECTIVE SIGMET - A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMETs are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms of any intensity level, areas of thunderstorms greater than or equal to VIP level 4 with an area coverage of 4/10 (40%) or more, and hail 3/4 inch or greater.
DF - (Direction Finder) A radio receiver an AFSS uses to obtain a "fix" on a pilot requesting orientation assistance. A location "fix" is established by the intersection of two or more bearing lines plotted on a navigational chart using two separately located Direction Finders. Or by plotting a DF bearing line and cross-fixing it with an intersecting VOR radial the disoriented pilot is directed to select from his or her aircraft.
DF APPROACH PROCEDURE - Used under emergency conditions where another instrument approach procedure cannot be executed. DF guidance for an instrument approach is given by ATC facilities with DF capability.
DF FIX - The geographical location of an aircraft determined by one or more direction finders, or a cross-fix of a direction finder bearing and a radial of a VOR tuned in by the assisted pilot.
DF STEER - (DF Guidance) Headings provided to aircraft by facilities equipped with direction finding equipment. These headings, if followed, will lead an aircraft to a predetermined point such as the DF station or to an airport. A DF steer is given to aircraft in distress or to other aircraft which request the service. Practice DF steers are provided when workload permits.
DVFR FLIGHT PLAN (Defense Flight Plan) - A flight plan filed for a VFR aircraft which intends to operate in Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) airspace within which the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security. This airspace is
typically coastal and border areas of the United States, and designated airspace, such as surrounding Washington, D.C.
EN ROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE - (EFAS or Flight Watch) A service specifically designed to provide, upon pilot request, timely weather information pertinent to his/her type of flight, intended route of flight, and altitude. The AFSSs providing this service are listed in the Airport/Facility Directory.
FAST FILE - A system whereby pilots can file either a VFR or IFR flight plan by telephone. By choosing the Fast File menu option, your flight plan is recorded and then transcribed for transmission to the appropriate air traffic facility. This is a good way to file a flight plan quickly if the wait time to speak to a flight service specialist is too long. The problem with fast filing is the lack of verification your flight plan has been received and properly processed. DO NOT cancel VFR flight plans on the Fast File system.
FLIGHT PLAN - Specified information relating to your intended flight that is filed by telephone or in person with, typically, an AFSS or other ATC facility. A VFR flight plan will be available to activate immediately after filing, and for two hours beyond the filed proposed time. You must activate your VFR flight plan after takeoff with an AFSS. The ATC tower of your departure airport may, workload permitting, pass your departure time to flight service. Assumed departures are available under special circumstances.
FLIGHT PLAN AREA - The geographical area assigned to a flight service station for the purpose of search and rescue for VFR aircraft, issuance of NOTAMs, pilot briefing, in-flight services, broadcast, emergency services, flight data processing, international operations, and aviation weather services.
FLIGHT PRECAUTION(S) - See ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
(AUTOMATED) FLIGHT SERVICE STATION - (AFSS) An air traffic facility which provides pilot briefing, en route communications and VFR search and rescue services, assists lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations, relays ATC clearances, originates Notices to
Airmen, broadcasts aviation weather and NAS information, receives and processes IFR flight plans, and monitors NAVAIDs. In addition, at selected locations, AFSS’s provide En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS or Flight Watch), take weather observations, issue airport advisories, and advise Customs and Immigration of transborder flights.
FLIGHT WATCH - A shortened term used by pilots in air-ground contacts to identify the flight service station providing En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS); e.g., "Oakland Flight Watch."
FUEL - When filing a flight plan, the FSS specialist will ask, "What is your fuel?" Give the amount of fuel on board in time (hours and minutes).
GENERAL AVIATION - That portion of civil aviation which encompasses all facets of aviation except air carrier operators (the airlines).
HAZARDOUS INFLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY SERVICE - (HIWAS) Continuous recorded hazardous inflight weather forecasts broadcasted to airborne pilots over selected VOR outlets defined as an HIWAS BROADCAST AREA - typically a 150 nautical mile radius of the selected
VOR.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER INFORMATION - A summary of significant meteorological information, such as a SIGMET (WS), Convective SIGMET (WST), urgent pilot report (urgent PIREP/UUA), center weather advisory (CWA), or airmen's meteorological information (AIRMET or WA). Hazardous weather information also includes other weather, such as rapidly developing isolated thunderstorms that are increasing in intensity. It also includes low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.
HIWAS BROADCAST AREA - A geographical area of responsibility including one or more HIWAS outlets assigned to an AFSS/FSS for hazardous weather advisory broadcasting.
HIWAS OUTLET AREA - An area defined as a 150 NM radius of a HIWAS outlet, expanded as necessary to provide coverage.
ICING - The accumulation of ice on an aircraft’s airframe. The types of icing are: Rime icing, clear icing, and mixed icing. The intensities of icing are: Trace, light, moderate, and severe. There is no official designation of "heavy icing", even though the term is frequently used by pilots and ATC, alike, which implies severe icing.
IFR (CONDITONS) - Weather conditions less than the minimum for flight under visual flight rules; i.e. ceilings less than 1,000 foot and visibility less than 3 miles.
IMC - (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) Weather that is below VFR minima - less than 1,000 foot ceiling and visibility less than 3 miles.
INREQ - (Information Request) A request originated by an FSS for information concerning an overdue VFR aircraft.
LOCAL AIRPORT ADVISORY - (LAA) A service provided by flight service stations at airports not serviced by an operating control tower. This service consists of providing information to arriving and departing aircraft concerning wind direction and speed, favored runway, altimeter setting, known traffic, known field conditions, airport taxi routes, traffic patterns, and authorized instrument approach procedures. This information is advisory in nature and does not constitute an ATC clearance.
LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR - (LLWS) A change in wind speed and/or wind direction in a short distance resulting in a tearing or shearing effect, typically forecast or occurring less than 2,000 feet AGL (above ground level). It can exist in a horizontal or vertical direction and occasionally in both.
MARGINAL VFR (CONDITIONS) - (MVFR) Weather conditions where ceilings range from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet, and visibilities range from 3 to 5 miles.
MAYDAY - The international radio-call distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent and grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested.
MILITARY OPERATIONS AREA - See MOA.
MILITARY TRAINING ROUTE - (MTR) Routes used by the Department of Defense and associated Reserve and Air Guard units for the purpose of conducting low-altitude navigation and tactical training under VFR conditions below 10,000 feet MSL at airspeeds in excess of 250 knots IAS.
MOA - (Military Operations Area) Airspace established outside of Class A airspace to separate certain nonhazardous military activities from IFR traffic and to identify for VFR traffic where these activities are conducted.
MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION - Higher terrain that is concealed in clouds causing ground features to be indistinct or totally hidden in the cloud cover.
MTR - See MILITARY TRAINING ROUTE.
NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM - The common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information, and manpower and material. Included are system components shared jointly with the military.
NORDO - (No Radio) An aircraft with no radio communications capability.
NOTICE TO AIRMEN - (NOTAM) A notice containing information not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other means. NOTAM’s concern the establishment, condition, or change in any component, facility, service, procedure, or hazard in the National Airspace System. Timely knowledge is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
NOTAM D - A NOTAM given local and distant dissemination beyond the area of responsibility of the responsible Flight Service Station.
FDC NOTAM - A NOTAM that affects air traffic procedures or is regulatory in nature affecting airspace.
NOTICES TO AIRMEN PUBLICATION - (NTAP) A publication issued every 28 days, designed primarily for the pilot, which contains current NOTAM information considered essential to the safety of flight as well as supplemental data to other aeronautical publications.
PAN-PAN - The international radio urgency call. When repeated three times, it indicates uncertainty or alert followed by the nature of the urgency.
(PREFLIGHT) PILOT BRIEFING - A service provided by an AFSS to assist pilots in flight planning. Briefing items include weather information, NOTAMS, and other items on request, such as military activities.
PILOT (WEATHER) REPORT - (PIREP) A report of weather conditions encountered by aircraft in flight given by the pilot to ATC, typically to a flight service station. Some oldtimers refer to a pilot report as an upper air report, or as a "UA".
PIREP - See PILOT (WEATHER) REPORT.
PREVAILING VISIBILITY - See VISIBILITY.
PROHIBITED AREA - Airspace within which no person may operate an aircraft without the permission of the using agency. STAY OUT!
RADAR - When an AFSS specialist refers to RADAR during a pilot weather briefing, he or she is referencing weather RADAR which depicts echoes of precipitation. See WEATHER RADAR.
RCC - See RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER.
RCO - See REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS OUTLET
REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS OUTLET - (RCO) An unmanned remotely controlled communications facility serving flight service stations. RCO’s are used to extend the station’s communications capability over the large geographic area of the flight service station’s flight plan area.
REMOTE TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER - (RTR) An unmanned remotely controlled communications facility serving terminal ATC facilities to extend the communications range of the facility. RTR’s were established for the purpose of providing ground-to-ground communications between air traffic control specialists and pilots located at a satellite airport for delivering en route clearances, issuing departure authorizations, and acknowledging instrument flight rules cancellations or departure/landing times.
RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER- (RCC) A search and rescue (SAR) facility equipped and manned to coordinate and control search and rescue operations. If you are overdue on a VFR flight plan, the RCC will be notified two hours after your ETA. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force have responsibility for the operation of RCCs.
RESTRICTED AREA - Airspace within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restriction. Most restricted areas are designated joint use and IFR/VFR operations in the area may be authorized by the controlling ATC facility when it is not being utilized by the
using agency. Restricted areas are depicted on en route charts. Where joint use is authorized, the name of the ATC controlling facility is also shown.
ROUND-ROBIN FLIGHT PLAN - A VFR flight plan that lists the departure point and the destination as the same airport. Intermediate airports may be included in the route of flight. The ETA (estimated time of arrival) should include all airborne time enroute and the anticipated ground time at each intermediate airport stop. The flight plan is closed upon return to the departure airport.
SEARCH AND RESCUE - A service which seeks missing aircraft and assists those needing assistance. It is a cooperative effort using the facilities and services of Federal, state and local agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for coordination of search and rescue for the Maritime Region. The U.S. Air Force is responsible for search and rescue for the Inland Region. Information pertinent to search and rescue should be passed through any air traffic facility, or given directly to the Rescue Coordination Center by telephone.
SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERT - (AWW) Preliminary messages issued to alert users that a Severe Weather Watch Bulletin (WW) is being issued. These messages define areas of possible severe thunderstorms or tornado activity. The messages are unscheduled and issued as required by the National Severe Storm Forecast Center at Kansas City, Missouri.
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH - See SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERT.
SIGMET - A weather advisory issued concerning weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. SIGMET advisories cover severe and extreme turbulence, severe icing, and widespread dust or sandstorms that reduce visibility to less than 3 miles.
SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE - Airspace of defined dimensions within which activities must be confined because of their nature. Limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities. Types of special use airspace are: Alert Areas, Controlled Firing Areas, Military Operations Areas, Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, Warning Areas. See definitions of each.
SPECIAL VFR CONDITIONS - Meteorological conditions that are less than those required for basic VFR flight in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas and in which some aircraft are permitted flight under visual flight rules.
SPECIAL VFR (FLIGHT) OPERATIONS - Aircraft operating in accordance with clearances within Class B, C, D, and E surface areas in weather conditions less than the basic VFR weather minima. Such operations must be requested by the pilot and approved by ATC.
STOPOVER FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan format which permits in a single submission the filing of a sequence of flight plans through interim full-stop destinations to a final destination. It is used primarily in military operations.
TIBS - (Telephone Information Briefing Service) A continuous telephone recording of meteorological and/or aeronautical information.
TURBULENCE - Erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude (pitch, roll, and yaw) caused by air currents. The intensities of turbulence are: light, moderate, severe, and extreme.
TRANSCRIBED WEATHER BROADCAST - A continuous recording of meteorological and aeronautical i
Learn what an AFSS can continue to do for you and how you can get the most value from every phone call or radio contact.
Visit http://www.afss.com for information about Lockheed Martin Flight Service
The below information is not affiliated with nor endorsed by Lockheed Martin. It is provided by a retired FAA flight service specialist to give you some
information on what flight service can continue to do for you. Over the next few years Lockheed Martin will make changes to the services they offer and the manner in which they furnish these services. These services will more likely experience gradual changes with the passage of time.
What is an AFSS?
The acronym stands for, "Automated Flight Service Station." Think of an AFSS as, simply, "flight service". As you read through this web page, you will not only understand the functions of an AFSS, but you will be able to get the most out of what flight service has to offer.
The primary function of an AFSS is to keep you out of bad weather. Hopefully, this information will give you the understanding to make each and every one of your flights a safe and enjoyable experience.
The staff working in an AFSS:
Gives pilot weather briefings.
Receives and processes flight plans from pilots.
Communicates with pilots in flight.
Offers guidance to disoriented pilots during flight.
Provides assistance to pilots during inflight emergencies.
Gives Enroute Flight Advisory Service at selected locations.
Issues local airport advisories at selected airports.
Searches for overdue aircraft.
Relays ATC IFR clearances.
Makes severe weather broadcasts over selected navaids.
Records automated telephone weather briefings.
Takes weather observations at selected airports.
Advises customs officials regarding transborder flights.
Originates and cancels Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
Monitors radio air navigation facilities (NAVAIDs).
Answers many questions pilots have concerning anything
they may not understand about aviation. They may not have the answer to certain questions, but they will lead you to someone who can give you an answer.
AFSS’s DO NOT control air traffic. Any inflight service an AFSS provides is advisory only.
Contacting an AFSS by Phone:
The universal telephone number to contact an AFSS for a weather briefing is 1-800-WX-BRIEF, nd is commonly referred to as 1-800-weather brief. This converts numerically to: 1-800-992-7433
All specialists assigned to an AFSS are certified by the National Weather Service as pilot weather briefers. They are not meteorologists, but they are trained in weather theory and the interpretation of weather products which they translate to describe the enroute and destination weather for your flight.
According to The Aeronautical Information Manual, you must familiarize yourself with all available information concerning your flight. To get your weather information, call flight service by dialing 1-800-WX BRIEF (1-800-992-7433).
Weather obtained from an AFSS is your primary source for obtaining a preflight weather briefing or in-flight weather. You can no longer walk into an AFSS to review available aviation weather products and charts. Now, you must use the telephone.
Three types of preflight weather briefings are available:
The Standard Briefing
The Abbreviated Briefing
The Outlook Briefing
The Standard Briefing:
A standard briefing includes complete weather and aeronautical information. Request a standard briefing when your flight will occur within six hours of the briefing. A standard weather briefing includes:
Adverse Conditions - Current or forecast conditions which may adversely affect your planned flight, such as Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and Center Weather Advisories. Adverse conditions include (but are not limited to) icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, mountain obscuration, and instrument flight conditions.
VFR Flight Not Recommended (VNR) - This advisory statement is given when a VFR flight is proposed and the actual or forecast conditions, surface or aloft, in the briefer's judgment, make visual flight doubtful. Remember, the final go/no-go decision always belongs to you, the pilot. You are entitled to a complete briefing even if this statement is given. Only you, as pilot in command, know your own capabilities and limitations. However, as a student pilot, it is best to heed the briefer’s advice and discuss this advisory with your flight instructor.
Synopsis - A brief statement describing the type, location, and movement of weather systems affecting your flight.
Current Conditions - A summary of the current weather along the proposed route. The current weather is omitted when the estimated time of departure is more than two hours from the time of the briefing, unless requested by the pilot.
Enroute Forecast - Summarized from various sources, to provide forecast conditions along the proposed route of flight.
Destination Forecast - A destination forecast including significant changes at least one hour before and after the estimated time of arrival.
Winds Aloft Forecast - Available at 3,000; 6,000; 9,000; 12,000; 18,000; 24,000; 30,000; 34,000 and 39,000 feet. You will receive winds aloft pertinent to your proposed altitude given with your background information.
Notices to Airmen - NOTAM D and non-published FDC NOTAMS. ATC Delays - Information on known ATC delays (IFR only). Information on military training activity and published NOTAMS are provided upon request. Additional Information You May Request
If the briefer talks too fast for you, stop the briefer and ask him or her to slow down their rate of speech. If any portion of a briefing is unclear to you, stop the briefer and get the point clarified. Otherwise, don’t interrupt the briefer. Save your questions until the end of the briefing.
The Abbreviated Briefing:
Request an abbreviated briefing to supplement or update previously received information.
Examples:
1. You received a standard briefing earlier in the day. An abbreviated briefing could be requested for current weather or updated forecasts. The briefer will need background information and the time of the earlier briefing.
2. Weather information has been received from one of the other briefing outlets, such as TIBS. Supplemental data is needed to complete preflight planning, such as NOTAMS, air traffic delays, or an updated destination forecast. The briefer will need background information and the time when the earlier information was received.
3. When you only want one or two items, request an abbreviated briefing and state the specific aviation weather products you need.
An abbreviated briefing does not provide a complete weather picture of the route of flight. It should never be used as a shortcut for a standard briefing. An abbreviated briefing can save time if you have already received a standard briefing.
The Outlook Briefing:
When the estimated time of departure is more than six hours in the future, request an outlook briefing. After receiving the background information, the briefer will provide forecast data applicable to the proposed flight.
A Few Tips about Weather Briefings:
As a new pilot, you should begin developing those habit patterns that will become a way of life for you as you progress through your professional aviation career, or pursue your avocation as a pilot.
Develop a total awareness of the weather by watching "The Weather Channel" or other television weather programs beginning several days before your flight. Look at web sites that feature weather products, such as DUATS, AOPA, AEROPLANNER, etc. Have some feel for the weather situation before you call flight service for the complete details.
If your schedule permits, plan your call to flight service a couple of minutes after the new hour. This will give you the brand new hourly weather. If you call right at the top of the new hour, you may wait longer for a briefer. The FSS specialists typically rotate through their different positions each hour - on the hour.
And, of course, be prepared when you call. Have a pen or pencil handy, paper, flight log, and your completed flight plan with route and time calculations, if you wish to file a flight plan.
Note the date and time you called for your briefing if any question ever comes up about busting a regulation or a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). The FAA keeps recordings of all weather briefings for 15 days.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
To properly tailor a weather briefing for your flight, the briefer needs some background information about your proposed flight. This background information should include:
Type of Flight: IFR or VFR
Aircraft ID
Aircraft Type
Departure Point
Estimated Time of Departure
Altitude
Route of Flight
Estimated Time Enroute
WEATHER BRIEFING COPY SHEET:
Create a master copy based on the below format, then make copies so you can record the information the pilot weather briefer provides to you. Give yourself lots of space on your master to record your data.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS _______________________________________
IFR Conditions ________________________________________________
Mountain Obscuration ___________________________________________
Thunderstorms _________________________________________________
Turbulence ____________________________________________________
Icing _________________________________________________________
Other ________________________________________________________
SYNOPSIS ___________________________________________________
CURRENT CONDITIONS _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
ENROUTE FORECAST _________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DESTINATION FORECAST _____________________________________
WINDS ALOFT FORECAST _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
NOTAMs _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Filing a VFR Flight Plan:
After receiving your weather briefing, you may wish to file a VFR flight plan. Provide the below information in the following order:
Aircraft identification
Aircraft type and transponder suffix
True airspeed
Point and time of departure
Initial cruising altitude
Route of flight and destination
Remarks, if any
Estimated time enroute (ETE)
Fuel on board (in time)
Pilot's name & phone number
Number of persons on board
Color of the aircraft
Why File a VFR Flight Plan?
A VFR flight plan assures prompt search and rescue if you become overdue or missing.
Pilots who have not filed flight plans have died of exposure after forced landings due to extended delays in starting search efforts.
Although generally not required by the FARs, filing a flight plan is a good operating practice that can literally save your life.
If you are flying multiple legs on an extended VFR flight, it is best to file a flight plan for each separate leg to reduce the search area, if you become overdue or missing.
If you are flying a long route, giving VFR position reports will reduce the search area, if you become overdue or missing.
CONTENT OF A VFR POSITION REPORT:
IDENTIFICATION, ALTITUDE,
POSITION, (State, "VFR FLIGHT PLAN")
TIME, DESTINATION
When your flight is completed be sure to Close Your Flight Plan by radio or by phone with flight service.
Control towers DO NOT automatically close VFR flight plans.
More About VFR Flight Plans:
There is a widespread misconception that VFR flight plan data is transmitted to air traffic control facilities to provide collision avoidance and radar flight following. No such service results from filing a VFR flight plan - even if "Request RADAR Following" is entered into the Remarks block of a VFR flight plan. Pilots wishing to use air traffic advisory functions must contact the appropriate ATC facility in flight.
Flight plans can be filed by telephone (including FAST FILE), in person, or by radio when airborne.
VFR flight plans filed through DUATS don’t go to an AFSS until one hour before the proposed departure time. Keep this in mind if you decide to make any changes after filing with DUATS.
Remember to activate your VFR flight plan after takeoff. The important search and rescue safety net provided by filing a flight plan is negated if the flight plan is not activated. Since all AFSS’s are part of a large communications network, any AFSS can activate or close a flight plan no matter where it is filed.
Provide a telephone number on your flight plan of a responsible person or organization who has specific knowledge of your flight. These include Fixed Base Operators (FBO's), flight instructors, or the aircraft owner. The telephone number of the person you are visiting, or of the hotel where you will be staying, is useful on one-way flight plans.
A home telephone number with an answering machine is useless in a search and rescue situation.
If a VFR flight plan is not activated within two hours after the proposed time of departure, it is dropped from the system. You can keep the flight plan on file by calling and asking any AFSS to update the proposed time of departure.
If you change aircraft for whatever reason after filing your flight plan, advise flight service of the original and new aircraft identification so the flight plan can be changed and activated.
If you find that you are running behind schedule during a flight for which you filed and activated a VFR flight plan, simply recompute your ETA. Then contact the AFSS serving your enroute location by radio and give them the new ETA for your destination. Any AFSS can pass data to any other AFSS through their telephone, interphone, or computer messaging system.
Fast File:
An alternative method for filing a flight plan is with the Fast File System. Fast File is a feature of the AFSS telephone system that allows pilots to file IFR and VFR flight plans onto a digital recorder. After the flight plan is filed and the pilot hangs up, the Fast File recorder alerts specialists at the AFSS that a Fast File is waiting for processing. Allow 30 minutes for processing. Normally it will take much less time to process a flight plan, but during periods of high demand it could take longer to process.
Search and Rescue:
A VFR flight plan will insure that the responsible AFSS at your destination will be expecting your aircraft’s arrival, and will search for it if you do not land when expected.
Flight plans must be closed no later than 30 minutes after your estimated time of arrival (ETA). Search and rescue procedures begin at that time. An estimated time of arrival may be extended through any AFSS on your route. Provide the AFSS with your new ETA.
If you don’t cancel your flight plan by a half hour past your ETA, the destination AFSS will start a communications search. They will call airports at which you might have landed, and ATC facilities with which you may have had contact. Failing to find your aircraft, the destination AFSS will widen its search, asking the departure and en route AFSSs to conduct a search, as well.
At this point, flight service will begin to call all airports along your route of flight. If there is no one at an airport to answer the phone, local law enforcement agencies will be called to do a ramp check. The effort involved in even the initial portion of an aircraft search soon becomes quite substantial.
Eventually, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center will assume search responsibility and may initiate a physical search using law enforcement personnel, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and military resources, until your aircraft is located.
An AFSS searches for aircraft - not people. Pilots who forgot to cancel their VFR flight plan sometimes contact flight service later. They become concerned when they discover that no search is in progress for them. This is because their aircraft was located and the search was suspended at that point.
Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB):
This service provides weather information. It is available on low frequency, medium frequency, and VOR facilities.
If TWEB service is offered by the AFSS in your area, this is what you can expect to hear, in this sequence:
A Synopsis
Adverse conditions
Route forecasts
RADAR reports
Winds aloft forecast
Surface weather reports
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Pilot weather report summary
ALNOT advisory (an alert notice, if any overdue aircraft)
This service may be suspended when weather conditions within 100 miles of the broadcast outlet are equal to or better than a ceiling of 3,000 feet and visibility of 5 or more miles.
VOR TWEB:
This broadcast service provides continuous aeronautical and weather information over selected VOR’s.
If VOR TWEB service is offered by the AFSS in your area, this is what you can expect to hear, in this sequence:
Adverse conditions extracted from:
Convective SIGMET’s
SIGMET’s
AIRMET’s
Center Weather Advisories
Severe Weather Forecast Alerts concerning thunderstorms and tornadoes
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Terminal forecast information
Solicitation for pilot weather reports
ALNOT advisory (an alert notice, if any overdue aircraft)
Telephone Information Briefing Service: (TIBS):
The TIBS provides a continuous telephone recording of weather and aeronautical informtion. Each AFSS provides at least four route or area weather briefings accessible on separate recordings encompassing a 50 nautical mile radius. After you call an AFSS on 1-800-WX BRIEF, (1-800-992-7433), a menu of options will allow you to choose the recording you wish to hear. In addition to area or route weather briefings, the following recordings may be available, as well:
METAR’s & TAF’s, and Winds aloft forecasts Airspace procedures and special announcements The TIBS service is typically provided 24 hours a day, but may be suspended during the overnight hours. An area or route TIBS recording contains:
A VFR flight not recommended statement, if applicable
A Synopsis
Current conditions
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Forecasts
Winds aloft forecast
A request for pilot weather reports
NOTAM information may be included
Military training activity advisory
Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service- or - HIWAS:
HIWAS is a continuous, 24 hour a day broadcast of inflight weather advisories.
Selected VOR’s are assigned as HIWAS outlets. Broadcasts over these VOR’s cover a 150 nautical mile radius.
A HIWAS broadcast includes summarized:
Severe Weather Forecast Alerts
SIGMET’s
Convective SIGMET’s
AIRMETS
Center Weather Advisories
Urgent pilot weather reports
Some other examples of HIWAS broadcast information would include:
Rapidly developing isolated thunderstorms
Low ceilings and visibilities
Mountain obscuration
The closing statement recommends that you contact flight service or Flight Watch for additional details - which is a good thing to do since the HIWAS broadcast is superficial in content.
AFSS Radio Communications:
Flight service station frequencies are found on Sectional Aeronautical Charts and in the Airport/Facility Directory. Here are some recommended procedures for establishing radio contact with an AFSS:
LISTEN before you transmit. Do not key your mike while somebody else is transmitting. If you just changed frequencies, pause, check your volume, listen and make sure the frequency is clear.
THINK before keying your transmitter. Know what you want to say before speaking. After pressing the mike button, a slight pause will ensure that your first few words are transmitted.
BE PATIENT. The AFSS specialist may be looking for your flight plan, transmitting on another frequency or selecting the transmitter for your frequency.
LISTENING OVER A VOR:
AFSS specialists receive but do not transmit on 122.1. You must tune in the appropriate VOR and turn the volume up on your VOR receiver. You transmit over 122.1, then state which VOR you are listening over.
ALTITUDE: VHF communications work on line-of-sight. If you have problems with reception, you may need to climb.
Specialists at some AFSS’s monitor as many as 40 communication outlets covering 25 different frequencies. Therefore, proper radio procedures must be used to ensure effective communications. On initial contact give your complete call sign, approximate location and the frequency you are listening over - then wait. After contact is established with flight service, you can make your request or report.
In general, any service a pilot might conduct on a telephone can be done on a radio frequency. For example, a standard weather briefing could be requested from a flight service station on a radio in the same way it can be requested on a telephone. However, keep in mind the difference between a simple telephone conversation and a busy radio frequency. A pilot using a radio for this service must be well prepared before keying the microphone. Of course, this ties up the radio frequency for an extended period of time, and prevents other pilots from communicating.
It is better to request short weather updates, winds aloft, or other aeronautical data that does not consume large amounts of time over the radio.
In addition to weather briefings, pilots can:
File, activate, close, or change a flight plan.
File position reports.
Give pilot weather reports.
Request information on the status of Special Use Airspace.
122.2 is shared by all FSS's, nationwide. When using this frequency, give your position on the first transmission so the appropriate AFSS can respond. 122.2 is useful when you do not know the closest AFSS discrete frequency. The AFSS responding to your transmission might switch you to a discrete frequency after establishing two way radio communication.
Emergency Frequencies:
All AFSS’s continuously monitor 121.5 and 243.0
Mountain and Lake Reporting Service:
AFSS’s provide flight monitoring for VFR flights crossing designated mountainous terrain and the Great Lakes. This service is provided to quickly alert search and rescue, if required.
When requesting this service, you should be prepared to give your type of aircraft, altitude, indicated airspeed, present position, route of flight and heading.
Radio contacts are desired at least every 10 minutes. If contact is lost for more than 15 minutes, search and rescue will be alerted. Pilots are responsible for canceling their request for service after completing their crossing.
Pilots experiencing two-way radio failure are expected to land as soon as practical and cancel their request for this service. any times, pilots mistakenly radio an AFSS, calling them "Flight Watch". No harm done. However, remember that the one and only low altitude Flight Watch frequency is 122.0.
Whereas common frequencies to contact "Flight Service" are:
122.2 122.3 122.4 122.5 123.6 123.65
GlossaryThe below information is not affiliated with nor endorsed by Lockheed Martin. It is provided by a retired FAA flight service specialist to give you some
information on what flight service can continue to do for you. Over the next few years Lockheed Martin will make changes to the services they offer and the manner in which they furnish these services. These services will more likely experience gradual changes with the passage of time.
What is an AFSS?
The acronym stands for, "Automated Flight Service Station." Think of an AFSS as, simply, "flight service". As you read through this web page, you will not only understand the functions of an AFSS, but you will be able to get the most out of what flight service has to offer.
The primary function of an AFSS is to keep you out of bad weather. Hopefully, this information will give you the understanding to make each and every one of your flights a safe and enjoyable experience.
The staff working in an AFSS:
Gives pilot weather briefings.
Receives and processes flight plans from pilots.
Communicates with pilots in flight.
Offers guidance to disoriented pilots during flight.
Provides assistance to pilots during inflight emergencies.
Gives Enroute Flight Advisory Service at selected locations.
Issues local airport advisories at selected airports.
Searches for overdue aircraft.
Relays ATC IFR clearances.
Makes severe weather broadcasts over selected navaids.
Records automated telephone weather briefings.
Takes weather observations at selected airports.
Advises customs officials regarding transborder flights.
Originates and cancels Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
Monitors radio air navigation facilities (NAVAIDs).
Answers many questions pilots have concerning anything
they may not understand about aviation. They may not have the answer to certain questions, but they will lead you to someone who can give you an answer.
AFSS’s DO NOT control air traffic. Any inflight service an AFSS provides is advisory only.
Contacting an AFSS by Phone:
The universal telephone number to contact an AFSS for a weather briefing is 1-800-WX-BRIEF, nd is commonly referred to as 1-800-weather brief. This converts numerically to: 1-800-992-7433
All specialists assigned to an AFSS are certified by the National Weather Service as pilot weather briefers. They are not meteorologists, but they are trained in weather theory and the interpretation of weather products which they translate to describe the enroute and destination weather for your flight.
According to The Aeronautical Information Manual, you must familiarize yourself with all available information concerning your flight. To get your weather information, call flight service by dialing 1-800-WX BRIEF (1-800-992-7433).
Weather obtained from an AFSS is your primary source for obtaining a preflight weather briefing or in-flight weather. You can no longer walk into an AFSS to review available aviation weather products and charts. Now, you must use the telephone.
Three types of preflight weather briefings are available:
The Standard Briefing
The Abbreviated Briefing
The Outlook Briefing
The Standard Briefing:
A standard briefing includes complete weather and aeronautical information. Request a standard briefing when your flight will occur within six hours of the briefing. A standard weather briefing includes:
Adverse Conditions - Current or forecast conditions which may adversely affect your planned flight, such as Convective SIGMETs, SIGMETs, AIRMETs, and Center Weather Advisories. Adverse conditions include (but are not limited to) icing, turbulence, thunderstorms, mountain obscuration, and instrument flight conditions.
VFR Flight Not Recommended (VNR) - This advisory statement is given when a VFR flight is proposed and the actual or forecast conditions, surface or aloft, in the briefer's judgment, make visual flight doubtful. Remember, the final go/no-go decision always belongs to you, the pilot. You are entitled to a complete briefing even if this statement is given. Only you, as pilot in command, know your own capabilities and limitations. However, as a student pilot, it is best to heed the briefer’s advice and discuss this advisory with your flight instructor.
Synopsis - A brief statement describing the type, location, and movement of weather systems affecting your flight.
Current Conditions - A summary of the current weather along the proposed route. The current weather is omitted when the estimated time of departure is more than two hours from the time of the briefing, unless requested by the pilot.
Enroute Forecast - Summarized from various sources, to provide forecast conditions along the proposed route of flight.
Destination Forecast - A destination forecast including significant changes at least one hour before and after the estimated time of arrival.
Winds Aloft Forecast - Available at 3,000; 6,000; 9,000; 12,000; 18,000; 24,000; 30,000; 34,000 and 39,000 feet. You will receive winds aloft pertinent to your proposed altitude given with your background information.
Notices to Airmen - NOTAM D and non-published FDC NOTAMS. ATC Delays - Information on known ATC delays (IFR only). Information on military training activity and published NOTAMS are provided upon request. Additional Information You May Request
If the briefer talks too fast for you, stop the briefer and ask him or her to slow down their rate of speech. If any portion of a briefing is unclear to you, stop the briefer and get the point clarified. Otherwise, don’t interrupt the briefer. Save your questions until the end of the briefing.
The Abbreviated Briefing:
Request an abbreviated briefing to supplement or update previously received information.
Examples:
1. You received a standard briefing earlier in the day. An abbreviated briefing could be requested for current weather or updated forecasts. The briefer will need background information and the time of the earlier briefing.
2. Weather information has been received from one of the other briefing outlets, such as TIBS. Supplemental data is needed to complete preflight planning, such as NOTAMS, air traffic delays, or an updated destination forecast. The briefer will need background information and the time when the earlier information was received.
3. When you only want one or two items, request an abbreviated briefing and state the specific aviation weather products you need.
An abbreviated briefing does not provide a complete weather picture of the route of flight. It should never be used as a shortcut for a standard briefing. An abbreviated briefing can save time if you have already received a standard briefing.
The Outlook Briefing:
When the estimated time of departure is more than six hours in the future, request an outlook briefing. After receiving the background information, the briefer will provide forecast data applicable to the proposed flight.
A Few Tips about Weather Briefings:
As a new pilot, you should begin developing those habit patterns that will become a way of life for you as you progress through your professional aviation career, or pursue your avocation as a pilot.
Develop a total awareness of the weather by watching "The Weather Channel" or other television weather programs beginning several days before your flight. Look at web sites that feature weather products, such as DUATS, AOPA, AEROPLANNER, etc. Have some feel for the weather situation before you call flight service for the complete details.
If your schedule permits, plan your call to flight service a couple of minutes after the new hour. This will give you the brand new hourly weather. If you call right at the top of the new hour, you may wait longer for a briefer. The FSS specialists typically rotate through their different positions each hour - on the hour.
And, of course, be prepared when you call. Have a pen or pencil handy, paper, flight log, and your completed flight plan with route and time calculations, if you wish to file a flight plan.
Note the date and time you called for your briefing if any question ever comes up about busting a regulation or a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR). The FAA keeps recordings of all weather briefings for 15 days.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
To properly tailor a weather briefing for your flight, the briefer needs some background information about your proposed flight. This background information should include:
Type of Flight: IFR or VFR
Aircraft ID
Aircraft Type
Departure Point
Estimated Time of Departure
Altitude
Route of Flight
Estimated Time Enroute
WEATHER BRIEFING COPY SHEET:
Create a master copy based on the below format, then make copies so you can record the information the pilot weather briefer provides to you. Give yourself lots of space on your master to record your data.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS _______________________________________
IFR Conditions ________________________________________________
Mountain Obscuration ___________________________________________
Thunderstorms _________________________________________________
Turbulence ____________________________________________________
Icing _________________________________________________________
Other ________________________________________________________
SYNOPSIS ___________________________________________________
CURRENT CONDITIONS _______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
ENROUTE FORECAST _________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
DESTINATION FORECAST _____________________________________
WINDS ALOFT FORECAST _____________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
NOTAMs _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Filing a VFR Flight Plan:
After receiving your weather briefing, you may wish to file a VFR flight plan. Provide the below information in the following order:
Aircraft identification
Aircraft type and transponder suffix
True airspeed
Point and time of departure
Initial cruising altitude
Route of flight and destination
Remarks, if any
Estimated time enroute (ETE)
Fuel on board (in time)
Pilot's name & phone number
Number of persons on board
Color of the aircraft
Why File a VFR Flight Plan?
A VFR flight plan assures prompt search and rescue if you become overdue or missing.
Pilots who have not filed flight plans have died of exposure after forced landings due to extended delays in starting search efforts.
Although generally not required by the FARs, filing a flight plan is a good operating practice that can literally save your life.
If you are flying multiple legs on an extended VFR flight, it is best to file a flight plan for each separate leg to reduce the search area, if you become overdue or missing.
If you are flying a long route, giving VFR position reports will reduce the search area, if you become overdue or missing.
CONTENT OF A VFR POSITION REPORT:
IDENTIFICATION, ALTITUDE,
POSITION, (State, "VFR FLIGHT PLAN")
TIME, DESTINATION
When your flight is completed be sure to Close Your Flight Plan by radio or by phone with flight service.
Control towers DO NOT automatically close VFR flight plans.
More About VFR Flight Plans:
There is a widespread misconception that VFR flight plan data is transmitted to air traffic control facilities to provide collision avoidance and radar flight following. No such service results from filing a VFR flight plan - even if "Request RADAR Following" is entered into the Remarks block of a VFR flight plan. Pilots wishing to use air traffic advisory functions must contact the appropriate ATC facility in flight.
Flight plans can be filed by telephone (including FAST FILE), in person, or by radio when airborne.
VFR flight plans filed through DUATS don’t go to an AFSS until one hour before the proposed departure time. Keep this in mind if you decide to make any changes after filing with DUATS.
Remember to activate your VFR flight plan after takeoff. The important search and rescue safety net provided by filing a flight plan is negated if the flight plan is not activated. Since all AFSS’s are part of a large communications network, any AFSS can activate or close a flight plan no matter where it is filed.
Provide a telephone number on your flight plan of a responsible person or organization who has specific knowledge of your flight. These include Fixed Base Operators (FBO's), flight instructors, or the aircraft owner. The telephone number of the person you are visiting, or of the hotel where you will be staying, is useful on one-way flight plans.
A home telephone number with an answering machine is useless in a search and rescue situation.
If a VFR flight plan is not activated within two hours after the proposed time of departure, it is dropped from the system. You can keep the flight plan on file by calling and asking any AFSS to update the proposed time of departure.
If you change aircraft for whatever reason after filing your flight plan, advise flight service of the original and new aircraft identification so the flight plan can be changed and activated.
If you find that you are running behind schedule during a flight for which you filed and activated a VFR flight plan, simply recompute your ETA. Then contact the AFSS serving your enroute location by radio and give them the new ETA for your destination. Any AFSS can pass data to any other AFSS through their telephone, interphone, or computer messaging system.
Fast File:
An alternative method for filing a flight plan is with the Fast File System. Fast File is a feature of the AFSS telephone system that allows pilots to file IFR and VFR flight plans onto a digital recorder. After the flight plan is filed and the pilot hangs up, the Fast File recorder alerts specialists at the AFSS that a Fast File is waiting for processing. Allow 30 minutes for processing. Normally it will take much less time to process a flight plan, but during periods of high demand it could take longer to process.
Search and Rescue:
A VFR flight plan will insure that the responsible AFSS at your destination will be expecting your aircraft’s arrival, and will search for it if you do not land when expected.
Flight plans must be closed no later than 30 minutes after your estimated time of arrival (ETA). Search and rescue procedures begin at that time. An estimated time of arrival may be extended through any AFSS on your route. Provide the AFSS with your new ETA.
If you don’t cancel your flight plan by a half hour past your ETA, the destination AFSS will start a communications search. They will call airports at which you might have landed, and ATC facilities with which you may have had contact. Failing to find your aircraft, the destination AFSS will widen its search, asking the departure and en route AFSSs to conduct a search, as well.
At this point, flight service will begin to call all airports along your route of flight. If there is no one at an airport to answer the phone, local law enforcement agencies will be called to do a ramp check. The effort involved in even the initial portion of an aircraft search soon becomes quite substantial.
Eventually, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center will assume search responsibility and may initiate a physical search using law enforcement personnel, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and military resources, until your aircraft is located.
An AFSS searches for aircraft - not people. Pilots who forgot to cancel their VFR flight plan sometimes contact flight service later. They become concerned when they discover that no search is in progress for them. This is because their aircraft was located and the search was suspended at that point.
Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB):
This service provides weather information. It is available on low frequency, medium frequency, and VOR facilities.
If TWEB service is offered by the AFSS in your area, this is what you can expect to hear, in this sequence:
A Synopsis
Adverse conditions
Route forecasts
RADAR reports
Winds aloft forecast
Surface weather reports
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Pilot weather report summary
ALNOT advisory (an alert notice, if any overdue aircraft)
This service may be suspended when weather conditions within 100 miles of the broadcast outlet are equal to or better than a ceiling of 3,000 feet and visibility of 5 or more miles.
VOR TWEB:
This broadcast service provides continuous aeronautical and weather information over selected VOR’s.
If VOR TWEB service is offered by the AFSS in your area, this is what you can expect to hear, in this sequence:
Adverse conditions extracted from:
Convective SIGMET’s
SIGMET’s
AIRMET’s
Center Weather Advisories
Severe Weather Forecast Alerts concerning thunderstorms and tornadoes
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Terminal forecast information
Solicitation for pilot weather reports
ALNOT advisory (an alert notice, if any overdue aircraft)
Telephone Information Briefing Service: (TIBS):
The TIBS provides a continuous telephone recording of weather and aeronautical informtion. Each AFSS provides at least four route or area weather briefings accessible on separate recordings encompassing a 50 nautical mile radius. After you call an AFSS on 1-800-WX BRIEF, (1-800-992-7433), a menu of options will allow you to choose the recording you wish to hear. In addition to area or route weather briefings, the following recordings may be available, as well:
METAR’s & TAF’s, and Winds aloft forecasts Airspace procedures and special announcements The TIBS service is typically provided 24 hours a day, but may be suspended during the overnight hours. An area or route TIBS recording contains:
A VFR flight not recommended statement, if applicable
A Synopsis
Current conditions
Density altitude advisory (if applicable)
Forecasts
Winds aloft forecast
A request for pilot weather reports
NOTAM information may be included
Military training activity advisory
Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service- or - HIWAS:
HIWAS is a continuous, 24 hour a day broadcast of inflight weather advisories.
Selected VOR’s are assigned as HIWAS outlets. Broadcasts over these VOR’s cover a 150 nautical mile radius.
A HIWAS broadcast includes summarized:
Severe Weather Forecast Alerts
SIGMET’s
Convective SIGMET’s
AIRMETS
Center Weather Advisories
Urgent pilot weather reports
Some other examples of HIWAS broadcast information would include:
Rapidly developing isolated thunderstorms
Low ceilings and visibilities
Mountain obscuration
The closing statement recommends that you contact flight service or Flight Watch for additional details - which is a good thing to do since the HIWAS broadcast is superficial in content.
AFSS Radio Communications:
Flight service station frequencies are found on Sectional Aeronautical Charts and in the Airport/Facility Directory. Here are some recommended procedures for establishing radio contact with an AFSS:
LISTEN before you transmit. Do not key your mike while somebody else is transmitting. If you just changed frequencies, pause, check your volume, listen and make sure the frequency is clear.
THINK before keying your transmitter. Know what you want to say before speaking. After pressing the mike button, a slight pause will ensure that your first few words are transmitted.
BE PATIENT. The AFSS specialist may be looking for your flight plan, transmitting on another frequency or selecting the transmitter for your frequency.
LISTENING OVER A VOR:
AFSS specialists receive but do not transmit on 122.1. You must tune in the appropriate VOR and turn the volume up on your VOR receiver. You transmit over 122.1, then state which VOR you are listening over.
ALTITUDE: VHF communications work on line-of-sight. If you have problems with reception, you may need to climb.
Specialists at some AFSS’s monitor as many as 40 communication outlets covering 25 different frequencies. Therefore, proper radio procedures must be used to ensure effective communications. On initial contact give your complete call sign, approximate location and the frequency you are listening over - then wait. After contact is established with flight service, you can make your request or report.
In general, any service a pilot might conduct on a telephone can be done on a radio frequency. For example, a standard weather briefing could be requested from a flight service station on a radio in the same way it can be requested on a telephone. However, keep in mind the difference between a simple telephone conversation and a busy radio frequency. A pilot using a radio for this service must be well prepared before keying the microphone. Of course, this ties up the radio frequency for an extended period of time, and prevents other pilots from communicating.
It is better to request short weather updates, winds aloft, or other aeronautical data that does not consume large amounts of time over the radio.
In addition to weather briefings, pilots can:
File, activate, close, or change a flight plan.
File position reports.
Give pilot weather reports.
Request information on the status of Special Use Airspace.
122.2 is shared by all FSS's, nationwide. When using this frequency, give your position on the first transmission so the appropriate AFSS can respond. 122.2 is useful when you do not know the closest AFSS discrete frequency. The AFSS responding to your transmission might switch you to a discrete frequency after establishing two way radio communication.
Emergency Frequencies:
All AFSS’s continuously monitor 121.5 and 243.0
Mountain and Lake Reporting Service:
AFSS’s provide flight monitoring for VFR flights crossing designated mountainous terrain and the Great Lakes. This service is provided to quickly alert search and rescue, if required.
When requesting this service, you should be prepared to give your type of aircraft, altitude, indicated airspeed, present position, route of flight and heading.
Radio contacts are desired at least every 10 minutes. If contact is lost for more than 15 minutes, search and rescue will be alerted. Pilots are responsible for canceling their request for service after completing their crossing.
Pilots experiencing two-way radio failure are expected to land as soon as practical and cancel their request for this service. any times, pilots mistakenly radio an AFSS, calling them "Flight Watch". No harm done. However, remember that the one and only low altitude Flight Watch frequency is 122.0.
Whereas common frequencies to contact "Flight Service" are:
122.2 122.3 122.4 122.5 123.6 123.65
When you speak to a pilot weather briefer at an AFSS, you will hear many words that are new to you. Here’s a listing of what they are talking about. Study the terms in this glossary. If you can readily understand these terms, you will have a pretty good grasp of the weather and aeronautical terminology you will hear and use every time you fly.
Some definitions have been edited to improve clarity. Please see the Pilot/Controller Glossary contained in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) for the official definition.
ADIZ FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan filed for a VFR aircraft which intends to operate in Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) airspace within which the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security. The Washington, D.C. ADIZ, coastal, and some border areas of the United States require such a flight plan.
ADVERSE CONDITIONS - Current or forecast conditions which may adversely affect a planned flight, such as Convective SIGMETS (for thunderstorms), SIGMETS (for severe turbulence and icing) AIRMETS (for moderate turbulence & icing, mountain obscuration and instrument flight
conditions (less than 1,000 foot ceilings and visibilities less than 3 miles.))
ADVISORY or ADVISORIES - See ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
ADVISORY SERVICE - Advice and information provided to assist pilots in the safe conduct of flight and aircraft movement.
AIRMET - In-flight weather advisories issued to amend the area forecast. An AIRMET concerns weather phenomena which is of operational interest to all aircraft and potentially hazardous to aircraft having limited capability because of lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications. AIRMETs concern weather of less severity than that covered by SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. AIRMETs cover moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles, and extensive mountain obscurement.
ALERT AREA - Airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft. Alert Areas are depicted on aeronautical charts for the information of nonparticipating pilots. Pilots of participating aircraft as well as pilots transiting the area are equally responsible for collision avoidance.
ALNOT - (Alert Notice) A request originated by a flight service station (FSS or AFSS) or an air route traffic control center (ARTCC) for an extensive communications search for overdue, unreported, or missing aircraft.
AVIATION WEATHER SERVICE - A service provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) and FAA which collects and disseminates weather information for pilots, aircraft operators, and ATC.
AWW - See SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERTS.
BROADCAST - A transmission of information for which an acknowledgment is not expected. Broadcasts are typically made by an AFSS over selected VORs, providing information about hazardous weather such as thunderstorms, turbulence, icing, and low weather conditions.
CENTER WEATHER ADVISORY - (CWA) An unscheduled weather advisory issued to alert pilots of existing or anticipated adverse weather conditions within the next 2 hours. A Center Weather Advisory may modify or redefine a SIGMET.
COMPOSITE FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan which specifies VFR operation for one portion of flight and IFR for another portion. It is used primarily in military operations.
CONTROLLED FIRING AREA - Airspace wherein activities are conducted under conditions so controlled as to eliminate hazards to nonparticipating aircraft and to ensure the safety of persons and property on the ground. In other words, and simply put - STAY OUT!
CONVECTIVE SIGMET - A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMETs are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms of any intensity level, areas of thunderstorms greater than or equal to VIP level 4 with an area coverage of 4/10 (40%) or more, and hail 3/4 inch or greater.
DF - (Direction Finder) A radio receiver an AFSS uses to obtain a "fix" on a pilot requesting orientation assistance. A location "fix" is established by the intersection of two or more bearing lines plotted on a navigational chart using two separately located Direction Finders. Or by plotting a DF bearing line and cross-fixing it with an intersecting VOR radial the disoriented pilot is directed to select from his or her aircraft.
DF APPROACH PROCEDURE - Used under emergency conditions where another instrument approach procedure cannot be executed. DF guidance for an instrument approach is given by ATC facilities with DF capability.
DF FIX - The geographical location of an aircraft determined by one or more direction finders, or a cross-fix of a direction finder bearing and a radial of a VOR tuned in by the assisted pilot.
DF STEER - (DF Guidance) Headings provided to aircraft by facilities equipped with direction finding equipment. These headings, if followed, will lead an aircraft to a predetermined point such as the DF station or to an airport. A DF steer is given to aircraft in distress or to other aircraft which request the service. Practice DF steers are provided when workload permits.
DVFR FLIGHT PLAN (Defense Flight Plan) - A flight plan filed for a VFR aircraft which intends to operate in Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) airspace within which the ready identification, location, and control of aircraft are required in the interest of national security. This airspace is
typically coastal and border areas of the United States, and designated airspace, such as surrounding Washington, D.C.
EN ROUTE FLIGHT ADVISORY SERVICE - (EFAS or Flight Watch) A service specifically designed to provide, upon pilot request, timely weather information pertinent to his/her type of flight, intended route of flight, and altitude. The AFSSs providing this service are listed in the Airport/Facility Directory.
FAST FILE - A system whereby pilots can file either a VFR or IFR flight plan by telephone. By choosing the Fast File menu option, your flight plan is recorded and then transcribed for transmission to the appropriate air traffic facility. This is a good way to file a flight plan quickly if the wait time to speak to a flight service specialist is too long. The problem with fast filing is the lack of verification your flight plan has been received and properly processed. DO NOT cancel VFR flight plans on the Fast File system.
FLIGHT PLAN - Specified information relating to your intended flight that is filed by telephone or in person with, typically, an AFSS or other ATC facility. A VFR flight plan will be available to activate immediately after filing, and for two hours beyond the filed proposed time. You must activate your VFR flight plan after takeoff with an AFSS. The ATC tower of your departure airport may, workload permitting, pass your departure time to flight service. Assumed departures are available under special circumstances.
FLIGHT PLAN AREA - The geographical area assigned to a flight service station for the purpose of search and rescue for VFR aircraft, issuance of NOTAMs, pilot briefing, in-flight services, broadcast, emergency services, flight data processing, international operations, and aviation weather services.
FLIGHT PRECAUTION(S) - See ADVERSE CONDITIONS.
(AUTOMATED) FLIGHT SERVICE STATION - (AFSS) An air traffic facility which provides pilot briefing, en route communications and VFR search and rescue services, assists lost aircraft and aircraft in emergency situations, relays ATC clearances, originates Notices to
Airmen, broadcasts aviation weather and NAS information, receives and processes IFR flight plans, and monitors NAVAIDs. In addition, at selected locations, AFSS’s provide En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS or Flight Watch), take weather observations, issue airport advisories, and advise Customs and Immigration of transborder flights.
FLIGHT WATCH - A shortened term used by pilots in air-ground contacts to identify the flight service station providing En Route Flight Advisory Service (EFAS); e.g., "Oakland Flight Watch."
FUEL - When filing a flight plan, the FSS specialist will ask, "What is your fuel?" Give the amount of fuel on board in time (hours and minutes).
GENERAL AVIATION - That portion of civil aviation which encompasses all facets of aviation except air carrier operators (the airlines).
HAZARDOUS INFLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY SERVICE - (HIWAS) Continuous recorded hazardous inflight weather forecasts broadcasted to airborne pilots over selected VOR outlets defined as an HIWAS BROADCAST AREA - typically a 150 nautical mile radius of the selected
VOR.
HAZARDOUS WEATHER INFORMATION - A summary of significant meteorological information, such as a SIGMET (WS), Convective SIGMET (WST), urgent pilot report (urgent PIREP/UUA), center weather advisory (CWA), or airmen's meteorological information (AIRMET or WA). Hazardous weather information also includes other weather, such as rapidly developing isolated thunderstorms that are increasing in intensity. It also includes low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.
HIWAS BROADCAST AREA - A geographical area of responsibility including one or more HIWAS outlets assigned to an AFSS/FSS for hazardous weather advisory broadcasting.
HIWAS OUTLET AREA - An area defined as a 150 NM radius of a HIWAS outlet, expanded as necessary to provide coverage.
ICING - The accumulation of ice on an aircraft’s airframe. The types of icing are: Rime icing, clear icing, and mixed icing. The intensities of icing are: Trace, light, moderate, and severe. There is no official designation of "heavy icing", even though the term is frequently used by pilots and ATC, alike, which implies severe icing.
IFR (CONDITONS) - Weather conditions less than the minimum for flight under visual flight rules; i.e. ceilings less than 1,000 foot and visibility less than 3 miles.
IMC - (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) Weather that is below VFR minima - less than 1,000 foot ceiling and visibility less than 3 miles.
INREQ - (Information Request) A request originated by an FSS for information concerning an overdue VFR aircraft.
LOCAL AIRPORT ADVISORY - (LAA) A service provided by flight service stations at airports not serviced by an operating control tower. This service consists of providing information to arriving and departing aircraft concerning wind direction and speed, favored runway, altimeter setting, known traffic, known field conditions, airport taxi routes, traffic patterns, and authorized instrument approach procedures. This information is advisory in nature and does not constitute an ATC clearance.
LOW LEVEL WIND SHEAR - (LLWS) A change in wind speed and/or wind direction in a short distance resulting in a tearing or shearing effect, typically forecast or occurring less than 2,000 feet AGL (above ground level). It can exist in a horizontal or vertical direction and occasionally in both.
MARGINAL VFR (CONDITIONS) - (MVFR) Weather conditions where ceilings range from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet, and visibilities range from 3 to 5 miles.
MAYDAY - The international radio-call distress signal. When repeated three times, it indicates imminent and grave danger and that immediate assistance is requested.
MILITARY OPERATIONS AREA - See MOA.
MILITARY TRAINING ROUTE - (MTR) Routes used by the Department of Defense and associated Reserve and Air Guard units for the purpose of conducting low-altitude navigation and tactical training under VFR conditions below 10,000 feet MSL at airspeeds in excess of 250 knots IAS.
MOA - (Military Operations Area) Airspace established outside of Class A airspace to separate certain nonhazardous military activities from IFR traffic and to identify for VFR traffic where these activities are conducted.
MOUNTAIN OBSCURATION - Higher terrain that is concealed in clouds causing ground features to be indistinct or totally hidden in the cloud cover.
MTR - See MILITARY TRAINING ROUTE.
NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM - The common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information, and manpower and material. Included are system components shared jointly with the military.
NORDO - (No Radio) An aircraft with no radio communications capability.
NOTICE TO AIRMEN - (NOTAM) A notice containing information not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other means. NOTAM’s concern the establishment, condition, or change in any component, facility, service, procedure, or hazard in the National Airspace System. Timely knowledge is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.
NOTAM D - A NOTAM given local and distant dissemination beyond the area of responsibility of the responsible Flight Service Station.
FDC NOTAM - A NOTAM that affects air traffic procedures or is regulatory in nature affecting airspace.
NOTICES TO AIRMEN PUBLICATION - (NTAP) A publication issued every 28 days, designed primarily for the pilot, which contains current NOTAM information considered essential to the safety of flight as well as supplemental data to other aeronautical publications.
PAN-PAN - The international radio urgency call. When repeated three times, it indicates uncertainty or alert followed by the nature of the urgency.
(PREFLIGHT) PILOT BRIEFING - A service provided by an AFSS to assist pilots in flight planning. Briefing items include weather information, NOTAMS, and other items on request, such as military activities.
PILOT (WEATHER) REPORT - (PIREP) A report of weather conditions encountered by aircraft in flight given by the pilot to ATC, typically to a flight service station. Some oldtimers refer to a pilot report as an upper air report, or as a "UA".
PIREP - See PILOT (WEATHER) REPORT.
PREVAILING VISIBILITY - See VISIBILITY.
PROHIBITED AREA - Airspace within which no person may operate an aircraft without the permission of the using agency. STAY OUT!
RADAR - When an AFSS specialist refers to RADAR during a pilot weather briefing, he or she is referencing weather RADAR which depicts echoes of precipitation. See WEATHER RADAR.
RCC - See RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER.
RCO - See REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS OUTLET
REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS OUTLET - (RCO) An unmanned remotely controlled communications facility serving flight service stations. RCO’s are used to extend the station’s communications capability over the large geographic area of the flight service station’s flight plan area.
REMOTE TRANSMITTER/RECEIVER - (RTR) An unmanned remotely controlled communications facility serving terminal ATC facilities to extend the communications range of the facility. RTR’s were established for the purpose of providing ground-to-ground communications between air traffic control specialists and pilots located at a satellite airport for delivering en route clearances, issuing departure authorizations, and acknowledging instrument flight rules cancellations or departure/landing times.
RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER- (RCC) A search and rescue (SAR) facility equipped and manned to coordinate and control search and rescue operations. If you are overdue on a VFR flight plan, the RCC will be notified two hours after your ETA. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force have responsibility for the operation of RCCs.
RESTRICTED AREA - Airspace within which the flight of aircraft, while not wholly prohibited, is subject to restriction. Most restricted areas are designated joint use and IFR/VFR operations in the area may be authorized by the controlling ATC facility when it is not being utilized by the
using agency. Restricted areas are depicted on en route charts. Where joint use is authorized, the name of the ATC controlling facility is also shown.
ROUND-ROBIN FLIGHT PLAN - A VFR flight plan that lists the departure point and the destination as the same airport. Intermediate airports may be included in the route of flight. The ETA (estimated time of arrival) should include all airborne time enroute and the anticipated ground time at each intermediate airport stop. The flight plan is closed upon return to the departure airport.
SEARCH AND RESCUE - A service which seeks missing aircraft and assists those needing assistance. It is a cooperative effort using the facilities and services of Federal, state and local agencies. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for coordination of search and rescue for the Maritime Region. The U.S. Air Force is responsible for search and rescue for the Inland Region. Information pertinent to search and rescue should be passed through any air traffic facility, or given directly to the Rescue Coordination Center by telephone.
SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERT - (AWW) Preliminary messages issued to alert users that a Severe Weather Watch Bulletin (WW) is being issued. These messages define areas of possible severe thunderstorms or tornado activity. The messages are unscheduled and issued as required by the National Severe Storm Forecast Center at Kansas City, Missouri.
SEVERE WEATHER WATCH - See SEVERE WEATHER FORECAST ALERT.
SIGMET - A weather advisory issued concerning weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. SIGMET advisories cover severe and extreme turbulence, severe icing, and widespread dust or sandstorms that reduce visibility to less than 3 miles.
SPECIAL USE AIRSPACE - Airspace of defined dimensions within which activities must be confined because of their nature. Limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities. Types of special use airspace are: Alert Areas, Controlled Firing Areas, Military Operations Areas, Prohibited Areas, Restricted Areas, Warning Areas. See definitions of each.
SPECIAL VFR CONDITIONS - Meteorological conditions that are less than those required for basic VFR flight in Class B, C, D, or E surface areas and in which some aircraft are permitted flight under visual flight rules.
SPECIAL VFR (FLIGHT) OPERATIONS - Aircraft operating in accordance with clearances within Class B, C, D, and E surface areas in weather conditions less than the basic VFR weather minima. Such operations must be requested by the pilot and approved by ATC.
STOPOVER FLIGHT PLAN - A flight plan format which permits in a single submission the filing of a sequence of flight plans through interim full-stop destinations to a final destination. It is used primarily in military operations.
TIBS - (Telephone Information Briefing Service) A continuous telephone recording of meteorological and/or aeronautical information.
TURBULENCE - Erratic changes in altitude and/or attitude (pitch, roll, and yaw) caused by air currents. The intensities of turbulence are: light, moderate, severe, and extreme.
TRANSCRIBED WEATHER BROADCAST - A continuous recording of meteorological and aeronautical i
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