You can help assure the prompt availability of a live briefer when you need one by getting into the habit of providing some basic information about your intended flight to the specialist before you start asking questions. The Flight Service Specialist needs this basic information to provide you with the type of briefing you want. These briefings are detailed in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), paragraph 7-1-3, PREFLIGHT BRIEFING. The briefer feels more comfortable about doing the job in a responsible and professional manner if you provide the appropriate background information. The background information is most useful if it is provided in the following order:
Type of flight, VFR or IFR
Aircraft identification number, or name of pilot
Type of aircraft
Departure airport
Estimated time of departure
Flight altitude(s)
Route of flight
Destination
Estimated time enroute
The above background information, necessary for all Standard Briefings, regardless of whether you are filing a flight plan or not, will enable the specialist to tailor the briefing to the needs of your proposed flight. The objective is to communicate a "picture" of meteorological and aeronautical information necessary for the conduct of a safe and efficient flight.