SAFETY OF FLIGHT –THE FAA’S FLIGHT SERVICE STATION FUNCTIONS

PART THREE

IFR FLIGHT PLANS, EFAS, DVFR, CUSTOMS, SPECIAL FLIGHT SERVICES AND SARS

In the first two parts of the series, we discussed weather briefings, NOTAMs, and VFR flight plans, among other items. In this last part we will discuss the IFR flight planning function and other services that are provided by the FAA’s Flight Service Stations (AFSS/FSS). *Note: from here on, the AFSS/FSS will be referred to as one in the same.)

IFR flight plans

What does the regulations say: Prior to departure from within, or prior to entering controlled airspace, a pilot must submit a complete flight plan and receive an air traffic clearance, if weather conditions are below VFR minimums. Instrument flight plans should be submitted to the nearest AFSS or ATC facility in person or by telephone (or by radio if no other means are available.

You should note prior to departure, that means give yourself enough time from the filing for processing the flight plan through the ATC system. Most ATC facilities will refer a pilot wishing to file an IFR flight plan to file their request to the nearest AFSS or to the controlling ARTCC (Center). Why? Due to the fact that the regulations call for them to take a complete flight plan and then file it with the AFSS, ATC facilities would rather you call them direct. If you are requesting a local area clearance, perhaps a tower will issue you a local clearance within their area of control, however, if you will be proceeding to a destination out side of their area of jurisdiction they would prefer a pilot to file with the AFSS. In any case don’t expect to file a flight plan with the AFSS, jump into your aircraft and make your request for a clearance. Give yourself at least a 30 minute leeway if at all possible. It may save you precious fuel burned while you are waiting for a clearance to be routed and delivered.

IFR flight plan contents

An IFR flight plan is similar to VFR flight plan filing, except for additional information required, such as: is the aircraft TCAS equipped, if so what kind, RNAV/GPS capabilities, appropriate suffix designations, airways/jet routes/direct routes/coordinates/fixes to be utilized for the flight, and an alternate airport if required and a request (ADCUS) for advising customs. Some flight plan areas require utilization of an IFSS (International) to transit certain flight areas. (Remember it is always the pilot’s responsibility for Custom notifications and arrangements, even though a Advise Customs request has been indicated in the flight plan. The same is true when flying IFR in other countries, although ICAO has some similar standards, don’t always expect the same service or procedures. If you don’t understand control instructions as for a repeat, better yet get a briefing prior to leaving the U.S. from pilots familiar with your destination country’s procedures and uniqueness.

Changes in the route of flight, destinations or departure times

Try to plan ahead and minimize any changes in your IFR flight plan, but if you must, give yourself plenty of time to make the changes in the flight plan system. Never wait until the last minute to make a change and air filing for a clearance. Delays and available airspace may not allow ATC to assign you an IFR clearance at the last minute, especially close to busy terminal areas or in high density airspace. If filing a clearance off of a satellite airport with an RCO (remote controlled outlet) you may be asked when you will be ready to depart. If you are at the end of the runway and ready to go that is one thing, however, if you are still on the ramp, shut down, passengers to load, etc., be sure to advise them of your best estimate for departure. Many times you will be given a window for departure (release time), with a void time of the clearance if you are not off at that time. The ATC facility will provide you with a time check and a VIFNO time (clearance void if not off by), or possibly a hold for release (which means just that hold -- don’t go).

If you need to depart VFR in the local area to pick up your clearance you will be given a point to enter controlled airspace. A departure heading will not be provided in those cases and pilot should refer to their Instrument Departure procedures contained in the A/Ls.

This is normally the procedures required in mountainous or sparsely populated areas, where communications, navigation capability and radar availability are limited or not available, until reaching a certain altitude or location.

Composite IFR/VFR flight plans

One more time, it is the pilot’s responsibility to advise ATC when canceling IFR and also to close a VFR flight plan. Remember to give yourself some time when a need exists to transfer from a VFR flight plan to and IFR flight plan (always have a secondary plan in mind, just in case your flight plan wasn’t forwarded in time or not received by ATC.)

High Density Airports/Areas, Preferred routes, STARS, SIDS, and Flow Control

All of the above must be considered when operating into high density areas. ATC will normally assign you a preferred route (their preferred route from one point to another) and it may not be the way you filed. Be prepared for changes, if you cannot accept the routing, limitations, etc., advise the ATC facility when they deliver your clearance, or if you didn’t understand or fully copy the clearance issued ask them for a repeat. If you are in an unfamiliar area/location a suggestion might be to ask a local FBO or ATC facility for some assistance prior to filing a flight plan or certainly before starting the aircraft. Once you are airborne you will be too busy to be looking for locations along a route you are unfamiliar with. Nothing like creating another distraction for yourself.

Be prepared for departure delays, particularly if weather is predominant along the route and destinations within the Center’s area of responsibility. If a lengthy departure delay is to be encountered then plan your fuel accordingly. You should also expect other unforeseen delays at the arrival destination if a large airport.

The phrase “Cleared as filed’ does not always mean “cleared as you may have indicated in your flight plan, but may include exceptions to allow for ATC preferred departure routings, SID (standard instrument departure), or in some cases a STAR (standard terminal arrival route) at the destination airport procedure or altitudes. Unless you specify otherwise, SIDs and STARs applications will be considered as part of your flight planning.

Departure Times

If you are departing a controlled airport you do not have to activate an IFR flight plan. When you depart an airport with an AFSS then you most likely will be told what frequency to contact the controlling facility (ARTCC or Tower). If you are in a remote area where a controlling facility does not have a communications outlet, you may be asked to contact the AFSS who delivered your clearance. Many ATC facilities now have remote outlets that allow you to contact them direct for delivering clearances and other information required.

A few of the local San Antonio ATC facility RCO’s are: BAZ/SAT – 134.75, PEZ/SAT – 126.35, SSF/SAT (when the tower is closed) 121.7 and ERV/HOU ARTCC – 124.2. Of course, the AFSS frequency locally is normally 122.2, 122.3 or transmit 122.1 and receive the VOR frequency (just let them know which VOR you are listening on).

(Your arrival at your IFR destination will be automatically cancelled by the ATC facility you are working, unless you cancel with ATC prior to landing. You may be told to advise XYZ AFSS location on a certain frequency or ARTCC outlet when you have landed, or canceling IFR. Remember the cancellation advisory or landing requirement call to ATC is your responsibility.)

Other Services Provided by AFSSs

En Route Flight Advisory Service

EFAS is a service specifically designed to provide en route aircraft with timely and meaningful weather advisories pertinent to the type of flight intended, route of flight and altitude. In addition, with this service EFAS is also a central collection and distribution point for pilot reported weather information. You can contact Flight Watch by using the name of the ARTCC facility identification serving the area of your location, followed by your aircraft ID and the name of the nearest VOR to your position. This function is not intended to be utilized for filing or closing flight plans, position reporting, getting complete preflight briefings, or obtaining random weather reports and forecasts. (As a reminder the NWS has in flight weather conditions/forecast capabilities in all ARTCCs.)

SIGMETs, Convective SIGMETs bulletins, and other hazardous or dangerous weather advisories are also distributed and transmitted by all ATC facilities as received in a timely manner.

Hazardous Area reporting service

Selected AFSS provide flight monitoring where regularly traveled VFR routes cross large bodies of water, swamps and mountains. This service is provided for the purpose of expeditiously alerting Search and Rescue facilities when required. Such service is provided for: Long Island Sound, Block Island, Lake reporting Service (Great Lakes area), Everglades reporting service, and several mountainous areas in the Western part of the U.S. With the advent of technology, better communications and radar coverage, many pilots that are flying VFR utilize the services of an ARTCC or other radar ATC facilities for radar flight following. Remember that an ATC facility’s first priority is to IFR aircraft and traffic volume, therefore, VFR radar advisories may not always be available when requested or may be terminated by the controller if traffic dictates.

Airport Advisory Service

Some airports without an air traffic control tower, but with an AFSS on the airport provides a local airport advisory service (LAA). Remember this is only information provided on known traffic and unverified reports of the aircraft utilizing the service. (AFSS Specialist, normally, does not even have a visual reference to the airport or traffic pattern.) This service is similar to a CTAF or UNICOM, except the AFSS is providing you with known information of traffic in the area.

Emergency Procedures

The AFSSs can provide emergency VOR orientation to pilots and in some location DF assistance. Emergency airport information and other such data that may be available.

Search and Rescue

FSSs play an important part in the SARS process. They perform notifications to airport operators and local law enforcement agencies in the event of overdue or missing aircraft searches, e.g.: ramp checks, coordination with ATC facilities, ARTCCs, military organizations, and CAP. Flight plan information plays a very important part in expediting SARS efforts. Your flight plan and it’s information is great, cheap insurance.

Conclusion and Outlook

The AFSSs/FSSs personnel, facilities and services have played an important part in providing needed information and assistance to pilots, both VFR and IFR over the years.

Technology, service providers, other FAA ATC facilities capabilities, and funding issues have over shadowed the future of the AFSS/FSS concept in aviation. We have come along way from low frequency ranges, lighted beacons and bonfires, into the era of high technology, satellites, radar, etc., with the high cost of operations and funding issues already a problem for the FAA, the AFSS/FSS concept is in question and serious doubt.

I’m sure that all the areas of information were not fully covered, but I tried to cover what I thought were the important or pertinent parts. I hope that the above information and that contained in the other two parts of the series have been beneficial and provided enough information for you to probe further into the AFSS/FSS functions, services available, and how to utilize them. It is suggested that you ask questions, read the AIM, call your AFSS/FSS, or better yet, if able, go visit the facility and learn first hand.

Have a safe flight.

William L. Czervinske

Aviation Safety Counselor

San Antonio, TX