minnesota - Midwest Flyer

Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics
David M. Greene, Director
P.O. Box 7914, Madison, WI 53707-7914 (608) 266-3351
Flight Service Station
Evolution Continues
by Jeff Taylor
WisDOT Aviation Consultant
Since the
1920s, pilots
have relied
on Flight Service
Stations (FSS) for
timely weather
reports, and other
critical flight safety
information. As
technology has
Jeff Taylor
changed, so has FSS. What began as a
system of Air Mail Radio Stations
(visit www.atchistory.org for more
FSS history), has evolved into a vast
communication network using the
telephone, air-band radio and the
Internet. Another step in the evolution
of the FSS system occurred in
February 2005 when the FAA awarded
Lockheed Martin a contract to
operate the FSS system.
With a long-term contract,
Lockheed Martin plans to install new
technology and upgrade facilities to
improve the efficiency of Flight
Service Stations while maintaining
the safety of the aviation system. The
new technology includes networked
flight support systems that will
streamline flight planning and allow
the sharing of weather and air space
system status across the entire
Automated Flight Service Station
(AFSS) network. The new data systems
will also integrate communications
and search and rescue services
within the AFSS network.
36 MIDWEST FLYER MAGAZINE OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007
www.dot.wisconsin.gov
(TOP) The operations area at FS21, Ft. Worth, Texas.
(BOTTOM) Lockheed Martin Flight Service Station, Ft. Worth, Texas.
One of the first differences you’ll
notice is when you call 1-800-WX-
BRIEF, you’ll hear, “Welcome to
Lockheed Flight Services.” This
change has many pilots asking, “Does
this change how I get my pre-flight
weather briefing?” or “Who will
answer when I call Green Bay radio
from the air?” It’s important to understand
the new features and those that
stay the same so you can make the
most of the new system.
Let’s begin with how the structure
of FSS has changed.
In April of this year, the Green
Bay AFSS closed along with many
other stations across the country.
Three major stations or hubs have
been established with several satellite
stations serving as support for the
hubs. The Washington, D.C. hub
serves the eastern region, including
Wisconsin. Another hub, in Fort
Worth, Texas, serves the central
region and the third hub located in
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