Flight Service Stations (FSS)/Flight Information Centres (FIC)
Flight Service Specialists monitor assigned frequencies providing pilots with the communications access to obtain and pass flight information, or report emergencies should the need arise. They also relay IFR position reports and air traffic control clearances in areas where aircraft are beyond the communications range of the air traffic control facility. Until recently all Flight Service Specialists worked in one of the 51 stations located throughout Canada, their duties and services offered are listed below. With the advent of the FIC structure some of services and Flight Service Specialists themselves will now be transferred to the various FICs. As each FIC becomes operational, local flight service stations within the respective geographic areas will take on a more localized role, providing AAS (aerodrome advisory service) & Vehicle Control Service. All other services will be handled by the respective FIC. It should be noted that Flight Service Specialists are not air traffic controllers.
This service consists of information on weather reports, forecasts, PIREPS, NOTAMS, altimeter settings and other operational information pertinent to the enroute phase of flight.
Provide advisory information that includes details on, winds, preferred or active runways, altimeters, aircraft traffic, ground traffic and any other pertinent information at uncontrolled airports.
Remote Airport Advisory Service (RAAS)
Consists of weather reports, including wind and altimeter setting (from METAR or SPECI) the active runway or preferred runway (if known), field condition reports, NOTAM, PIREPS, and known aircraft and vehicle traffic.
Flight service specialists control vehicles operating on maneuvering areas of airports with a co-located control tower and FSS during the hours when the tower is closed. Provide this same service at airports without a control tower during hours that the FSS is operating.
Provide pre-flight services which include the provision of weather information, NOTAMS, and runway surface condition reports. Specialists also accept and process flight plans and flight notifications. Maintain an easily accessible "aviation information display" that assists pilots in compiling essential information for planning a safe flight.
Provide pertinent aviation weather information to accommodate pilots at the pre-flight and en-route stages. This service allows flight service specialists to assist pilots in making decisions and calculations based on weather.
FSS will notify Search & Rescue personnel in the event a VFR flight plan or flight notification is not closed within a specified time, or having received an overdue report for an aircraft.
Provide VDF (VHF Direction Finding) assistance to aircraft in emergency or potential emergency situations.
Issue and coordinate NOTAMS (Notice to Airmen) for locations or areas that are assigned to them.
Collect and distribute PIREPS (Pilot Reports) of weather or other significant information.
Flight Service Stations are connected to fixed communications networks so that operational and administrative messages can be exchanged among FSS, domestic or international aeronautical agencies.
Remote Communications Outlets are remote VHF transmitters/receivers established where difficult communications prevail, or where an extended communications capability is necessary. RCOs are used primarily for en-route flight information service, however they may also be used to:
En-route information provided through an RCO may include:
DRCOs are a standard RCO which have a dial up unit installed which allows pilots to connect with an Air Traffic Services unit via commercial phone lines. Activation of the system by the pilot is accomplished by keying the microphone button 4 times on the published DRCO frequency. Once the communications link has been established, the DRCO equipment will answer with a pre-recorded announcement "Link Established". This link can only be disconnected by the Air Traffic Services unit.
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UNICOM's are privately operated air to ground communication facilities used for Private Advisory Station (PAS) services at uncontrolled airports. The use of information obtained from a UNICOM station is done entirely at the pilots discretion. If you don't see your local airport listed in the Provincial frequency lists on this web site, these would be a good set frequencies to monitor in your area. Frequencies used by UNICOM stations throughout Canada include the following: |
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FSS Locations
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