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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Flight Service

Mission

The mission of Flight Service is to:

  • Provide world class service and value to users of the National Airspace System (NAS), including mixed aviation
  • Leverage advanced technologies to safely and efficiently deliver flight services in the contiguous United States (CONUS), Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska
  • Support the ATO's System Operations Services with innovative, collaborative solutions to complex operational problems

What We Do

Flight Service provides pilots with weather and aeronautical information through pilot briefings, flight planning, inflight advisory services, weather cameras, search and rescue initiation, aircraft emergencies, and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs). Flight Service delivers services through a combination of government personnel and a contract service provider (Leidos), which includes Alaska, CONUS, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

The Flight Service Pilot Web Portal 1800wxbrief.com allows pilots to receive online preflight briefings, file flight plans and get automatic notifications and alerts, including flight plan closure reminders. Registering for automatic notifications keeps pilots informed when new or adverse conditions arise, such as a severe weather forecast or observation, an airport closure, NOTAM or temporary flight restriction.

The Weather Camera Program is popular in Alaska as a primary source for pilots to obtain preflight and en route weather information, and for specialists to conduct weather briefings. We are excited to expand the availability of FAA weather cameras into Hawaii, and with our image hosting program, throughout CONUS. Weather cameras provide a means to look before you fly versus flying out to take a look, enabling pilots to have the data to make better decisions and improve aviation safety. Visit the FAA Weather Camera website to learn more https://weathercams.faa.gov.

The Aviation Weather Observation Program (AWOP) resides in Flight Service and is the official owner of FAA policy and oversight of aviation weather observations in the NAS. AWOP supports the safe flow of air traffic in the national airspace system by efficiently delivering weather information to aviation users in the CONUS, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.

Flight Service now manages the Center Weather Service Units at 21 ARTCCs and the Command Center.

Flight Service encourages innovation in the delivery of services to pilots. In support of continuous improvement and to increase efficiencies for our stakeholders, we plan to:

  • Modernize and save costs with a transition to the first Voice over Internet Protocol in the NAS through our service provider Leidos
  • Expand automation capabilities and enhance delivery methods for future operations in Alaska
  • Expand weather cameras into CONUS, Hawaii and Alaska locations
  • Explore ways to interpret and disseminate weather information with future technologies

Additional Information

Guiding Principles

  • Safety as the Highest Priority
  • Foster Web-based Services and Automation
  • Strengthen FAA-Pilot Relationships
  • Improve the User Experience
  • Technological Innovation and Leadership
  • Fiscal Responsibility and Efficiency

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