Part 4. FLIGHT SERVICE STATIONS

Chapter 13. Flight Service Operations and Services

Section 1. General

13-1-1. OPERATING POSITION DESIGNATORS

a. The following designators may be used to identify operating positions in an FSS. (See TBL 13-1-1.)

TBL 13-1-1
Operating Position Designators

b. Facility managers may use designators other than those listed to accommodate local situations.

13-1-2. TEMPORARY FSS

a. Employ temporary FSSs to assure that the aviation public is afforded adequate services. Temporary facilities may be established when requested by flying organizations, cities, and other political subdivisions to assist in the operation of fly-ins, air races, etc.

b. Each request for a detail of FAA personnel and/or equipment should be carefully considered with regard to the actual need for the service. When it is determined that the service is required and that the required personnel/equipment can be made available without jeopardizing FAA activities, Flight Services Operations Service Area Offices should accede to the request.

13-1-3. FLIGHT PLAN AREA

The Airport/Facility Directory lists each public use airport and its associated FSS. As changes occur, determine the flight plan area assignments as follows:

a. The Flight Services Safety and Operations Group must assign a new airport to the nearest FSS regardless of regional boundaries. This criterion must also be used as the determining factor for establishing flight plan areas or airport reassignments associated with FSS commissioning, decommissioning, or functional changes.

b. Make adjustments to the flight plan area assignment through interfacility coordination with Flight Services Safety and Operations Group approval.

c. Where databases are shared, facility managers may develop local procedures to facilitate the handling of flight data across flight plan area boundaries.

EXAMPLE-
An aircraft departs Dillingham but activates a VFR flight plan with Kenai Radio. Since both facilities share a database, Kenai may activate the flight plan, providing local procedures have been developed.

13-1-4. ICSS INTRODUCTORY ANNOUNCEMENT

a. FSS facilities using ICSS equipment must provide an introductory announcement to alert pilots they are accessing the ICSS system.

EXAMPLE-
WELCOME TO THE (facility name) FLIGHT SERVICE STATION. FOR FLIGHTS OUTSIDE OF UNITED STATES CONTROLLED AIRSPACE, CHECK DATA AS SOON AS PRACTICAL AFTER ENTERING FOREIGN AIRSPACE, AS OUR INTERNATIONAL DATA MAY BE INACCURATE OR INCOMPLETE. ADVISE THE BRIEFER YOU HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL CAUTIONARY ADVISORY. TOUCH-TONE USERS MAY PRESS (appropriate code) FOR A BRIEFER OR (appropriate code) FOR THE MAIN MENU OF SERVICES. IF YOU ARE USING A PULSE OR ROTARY TELEPHONE, PLEASE REMAIN ON THE LINE AND YOUR CALL WILL BE SEQUENCED FOR THE NEXT AVAILABLE BRIEFER.

b. Newly commissioned facilities may expand the introductory announcement to include additional access instructions until users become familiar with the system- for a period not to exceed 6 months from the date of system commissioning.

c. With Flight Services Operations Service Area Office approval, facilities may add additional menu instruction for special purpose requirements, e.g., coastal route, TIBS sectorization, etc.