Section 3. Operations

13-3-1. AIRPORT CONDITION FILE

Maintain a current file of all public use civil landing areas within the FSSs flight plan area. Post the latest available information regarding airport conditions and facilities on the current FAA Airport Master Record (FAA Form 5010-1). Review the National Flight Data Digest, and post changes not previously received.

13-3-2. LANDING AREA STATUS CHECKS

To the extent that their operational duties permit, FSS air traffic managers are encouraged to visit airports and to contact airport managers. Operational changes in airport conditions, facilities, or services that are observed by or reported to the FSS must be transmitted to System Operations Airspace and Aeronautical Information Management.

13-3-3. AIRPORT SEARCH ARRANGEMENTS

FSS air traffic managers must arrange with the airport management of each civil landing area in the FSSs flight plan area, including private landing areas as appropriate, to be searched for an overdue or unreported aircraft upon request from the station. Request police assistance in searching unattended landing areas.

13-3-4. LIAISON VISITS

As practicable:

a. Visit attended landing areas at least once each year. Visit unattended fields at the discretion of the FSS air traffic manager. Rotate liaison visits among professional level specialists.

b. Make familiarization flights over the FSSs flight plan area and particularly the area within 100 miles of the station. This will enable specialists to acquire and maintain knowledge of the landmarks and the facilities used in aircraft orientation and pilot briefings. Combine familiarization flights and liaison visits as practicable.

13-3-5. DUTIES

Typical duties for liaison visits and familiarization flights include:

a. Acquiring knowledge of airports, facilities, and topography.

b. Becoming familiar with landmarks.

c. Becoming familiar with the operation of aircraft equipment and navigation procedures.

d. Discussing FAA services.

e. Checking arrangements for handling NOTAMs.

f. Checking arrangements for the search of airports for missing aircraft.

g. Checking arrangements for alerting airport emergency equipment.

h. Checking the listing of airports and other facilities in aeronautical publications and their depiction on aeronautical charts.

i. Collecting information for the Airport Condition File and the aircraft orientation board.

j. Ascertaining the number of based aircraft and/or itinerant operations for planning FX or other communications needs to the associated FSS.

k. Obtaining pilots' opinions of the services provided by the station.

l. Practicing aircraft orientation procedures.

13-3-6. TIE-IN NOTAM RESPONSIBILITY

Tie-in FSSs must make arrangements with other agencies and facilities (NWS, U.S. Army, control tower, etc.) for the proper exchange of NOTAM information.