Notice of Intent To Decommission Flight Service RCOs
Posted by cmmurf@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 142 comments
Posted by cmmurf@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 142 comments
Justabuttonpusher@reddit
Well that seems like a bad idea. I can’t imagine ATC will want to extend my eta, allow me to air file, brief on weather updates, help if I’m lost, or let me know NOTAMs at an alternate airport. So I’ll have fewer safety options, but at least our taxes will go down $0.002.
Maximus_2698@reddit
If you have Foreflight or something similar, you can do all of that on there. Or, if youre out of connectivity, ATC can do all of that too. No reason to keep it running if the only people that use it are old timers that refuse to join the 21st century and instructors showing it to their students.
__joel_t@reddit
ATC can open a VFR flight plan in air?
GooseMcGooseFace@reddit
VFR flight plans are useless unless you’re going into non-radar or remote environments. The only thing VFR flight plans give you is search and rescue 30 minutes beyond planned arrival.
If anything, getting VFR flight plans will save money on the 95%+ false alarms that scramble search and rescue efforts.
nascent_aviator@reddit
Which is totally useless until it's totally essential.
NuttPunch@reddit
They hardly scramble. First thing they do is call a point of contact at the airport. Like operations or an FBO. "Hey, do you see that plane out on the ramp? You do? Okay! Great!" Done.
GooseMcGooseFace@reddit
Bureaucratic scramble. Which just means efficiently lazy. Every SAR I’ve heard of ended in calling the FBO manager to look out onto the ramp or the Sheriff after-hours to drive to their airport and find the plane on the ramp.
FlyingSceptile@reddit
I wonder if VFR flight plans are gonna go away. VFR flight following exists, and maybe they integrate some aspects of the VFR flight plan into that, but I don't see how it stays in its current form if FSS goes away
RadioJockey1222@reddit
VFR flight plans would still be a thing, but it appears they expect you to do everything digitally or over the phone. You could request ATC call FSS to activate/close/modify your flight plan, but they may get too busy to pass along the request.
If you ever request ATC activate your VFR flight plan, and you learn later it didn't happen, this is probably why.
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
I’m a center controller and in 16 years I have never opened or closed a VFR flight plan. We don’t have access to that information. And I’m certainly not going to have the time to call someone. Our staffing is a joke. I don’t have a dside 90% of the time I need one.
Limotinted@reddit
I’ve been a pilot for 18 years and I’ve also never opened or closed a VFR flight plan.
nascent_aviator@reddit
Flight following won't have search and rescue looking for you if you crash.
__joel_t@reddit
The FAA Private Pilot ACS still requires simulating filing a VFR flight plan.
N90 (my overflying TRACON who provides flight following at my home airport) doesn't always have time to give me flight following. I've been ignored before by them.
And the pilots (like me) who aren't instrument rated?
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
At Salt Lake Center, we have some pretty intimidating terrain. I don’t think it’s a bad idea to file a VFR fp so at least someone has an idea what your intentions are. Our radio coverage sucks and we have had many calls with a/c going down that we were never talking to on FF’ing.
CryptographerRare793@reddit
This. I've taught students even with the modern conveniences we all have, a VFR FP in the mountainous areas we have in the west is going to give rescuers a good idea of where to look if you have an issue. There are many areas around where I have flown that have poor coverage for services due to terrain. This practice was confirmed as a good idea when I spoke to a SAR guy about it too.
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
Agreed, and something else that is important to know is that we are monitoring guard frequency 24/7. You should always monitor it. It blasts over a loud speaker above our radar scopes. If something is going on and you need help you need to speak up on guard. If we can’t hear you because of radio coverage, I can guarantee another aircraft overhead will.
didsomebodysaywander@reddit
Students who do it as part of their XC training.
Source: am student that has filed a VFR flight plan
RadioJockey1222@reddit
The calls I get are from tower and approach, and the complaints I get from pilots who never got activated were departing towered airports. Perhaps they don't understand that tower and FSS are not colocated.
I figure if you're already talking to the VFR aircraft, they're on flight following and didn't file a VFR plan.
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
I think a common misconception is that controllers have access to VFR flight plans. I’ve had many pilots ask if I can close their VFR flight plan when they are with me for FF’ing.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
On our side I find myself explaining the difference between a VFR flight plan and VFR flight following every few days.
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
Yea, it’s definitely not bring taught well when pilots are getting their PPL.
nascent_aviator@reddit
I'm sure a busy approach/center controller would love me taking up a minute of their time to file a VFR flight plan. 🤣
ThePopesFace@reddit
The military still uses FSS semi-often as something like an ADS-B puck may be prohibited on some aircraft.
Not a fan of this, as it means I need to make my weather requests through already under-manned ATC controllers who I'm sure will be overjoyed to have to read me TAF lines.
Oxygen_Converter@reddit
This. I've filed a formation flight plan while on a 300' low level. And only because we couldn't get consistent comms with atc to do it for us. Never had them deny assistance.
anon__a__mouse__@reddit
Spoiler ... your taxes won't go down
mustang__1@reddit
but maybe the budget will be less negative?
Elios000@reddit
not even close. DoD is lions share. these cuts musk is push are purely to make the fed stop work enough they can come in with there friends and privatize it all
tomdarch@reddit
There might be some extremely, exceptionally high income earners here whose income taxes may go down significantly. But yeah, for the remaining 99.99% of us, none of these cuts will result in decreased taxes.
Atlanta_Mane@reddit
For all but the richest taxes will go up
technofiend@reddit
They already have.
FailedCriticalSystem@reddit
Hey now they could be a billionaire
SpaceCadetHS@reddit
Theoretically taxes are supposed to go down this year because of the expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. That means if they don’t pass a new one, next year they’ll claim everyone is getting more money back in taxes because of their cuts.
DankVectorz@reddit
Other way around. The TCJA permanently cut taxes for the highest brackets but expires for the lower brackets, along with various deductible items so for the vast majority of Americans (all but the highest earners) taxes will go up
Guysmiley777@reddit
Theoretically operating with an annual $2 trillion deficit is not supposed to be sustainable.
Justabuttonpusher@reddit
Dangit. You’re probably right. I guess I should submit a comment.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
It seems like a great idea actually. 99% reduction in use like the notice of intent says. RCOs are simply not necessary with the current technology that exists and is used by pilots.
This would be mostly uncontroversial if it wasn’t for the present political environment
Justabuttonpusher@reddit
99% isn’t a great number for safety. I know I feel better knowing that I have the option to contact a person who can help.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
So it’s about your feelings, not about facts and logic. You can already contact a person called ATC who would be happy to help you. They deal with every single unlikely scenario you described in your original post
cmmurf@reddit (OP)
ATC gives limited weather information, not briefings. They'll tell you what they see on their radar. They don't have access to, and aren't trained in, weather briefings. ATC's system can't open or close VFR flight plans. They'd have to call an FSS and ask them to do it.
As a practical matter, we're probably looking at the long slow end to VFR plan plans. Leidos has something called EasyActivate EasyClose, but I've never used them. And they'd only work on the ground anyway - FIS-B is a one-way data stream, and cell service ostensibly is illegal to use above the ground.
As I understand it, today we can file a flight plan IFR, and inform ATC (e.g. clearance delivery) we actually want to open it as VFR flight following - and ATC untags it IFR and tags it VFR flight following.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
When was the last time you got a full weather briefing through a RCO? When was the last time you called an RCO to close a VFR flight plan?
NuttPunch@reddit
I posted the same thing. They are just looking for a reason to get mad and somehow RCOs going away is Trump's fault for even suggesting the FAA should make changes.
cmmurf@reddit (OP)
You don't discuss. You gibber.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
Your lack of response to my question is pretty telling.
AlphaPopsicle84@reddit
This☝🏼. And with our staffing… I don’t have time to call anyone to open or close anything.
Khantahr@reddit
ATC is not always happy to help you. It's not rare to hear them deny service to a VFR airplane because they're too busy.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
VFR pilots are not entitled to the same services as pilots operating IFR. Always has been that way and always will be.
dragonguy0@reddit
You're not wrong, but you also just argued against yourself...if VFR aircraft cant depend on ATC and we just removed FSS from the equation, who CAN they depend on?
bronzeagepilot@reddit
The argument was about emergencies, not normal ops. ATC will always be dependable in the event of an emergency.
dragonguy0@reddit
Sure, but most of those scenarios we just talked about were normal ops...
tailwheel307@reddit
Is there a regulation or standard to support your assertion?
grapesodabandit@reddit
If it's a safety thing, start your call with "mayday mayday mayday" and ATC will gladly help in anyway you'd like.
otterbarks@reddit
I guarantee you those RCOs don't cost very much to run.
Unlike VORs, they're just basic VHF radio repeaters that you can by off-the-shelf from companies like Motorola or Harris. Mostly colocated at site where there's other FAA equipment (like DMEs).
And given that FSS is all done remotely, the workforce can be scaled up or down to meet demand.
99% reduction in use makes sense given that weather was the major use case before, and now we have FIS-B. But there's still all the non-weather related tasks FSS can do - not to mention taking workload off of ATC (which doesn't have the staffing flexibility FSS does).
RadioJockey1222@reddit
They converted the RCOs recently to more digital comms rather than hardwire.
The second point you make is my main point. FSS can provide services to supplement ATC, especially when it comes to workload.
cageordie@reddit
Only the super wealthy are getting a tax break.
Oxygen_Converter@reddit
Huh? I've asked and had atc do all of those for me.
bobnuthead@reddit
In the United States of America you’ve had controllers touch VFR flight plans? I guess you’ve found the least busy airspace in the NAS or something.
otterbarks@reddit
ATC controllers can't even touch VFR flight plans if they wanted - their computer system doesn't have access to them.
They have to place a call to a FSS briefer on the landline, just like you'd do from an RCO.
bobnuthead@reddit
Exactly, that’s sort of what I find it hard to believe that anyone has had luck with all of those tasks! Lucky lucky.
HeBeCrazy@reddit
Never used flight service but I’ve been able to file in the air while on VFR flight following if I needed an IFR flight plane pretty easily in the North East.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
Glad to have your support.
Maximus_2698@reddit
"In the mid-1980s, Flight Service received 22,000 service requests per day across this network, while today they receive fewer than 300 per day. In turn, from over 350 Flight Service stations with over 3,000 employees 40 years ago, there are now only two (2) facilities with fewer than 200 specialists. This 99% reduction in the volume of requests is not representative of a reduction in flights. Rather, it is a result of a move to new technology with no safety impacts."
This is the the key statement for me. All the services Flight Service provides are more easily acquired elsewhere. I haven't spoken to Flight Service over the radio in years cause there's simply no reason too this day and age.
taxcheat@reddit
Which means barely 1.5 requests per day per staffer.
HLSparta@reddit
And yet half the times I tried to call them they didn't respond.
(most of those times were on the ground with the VOR a half mile in front of me using the designated frequency to pick up a clearance, others I was generally only about 10-15 miles away using my COM 1 that I have confirmed has been able to clearly transmit to aircraft 60 miles away, likely more)
BreakingHues@reddit
This is pretty common with VOR’s. Many pilots transmit on 122.1 but they do not identify the VOR or frequency they are receiving over. On our end this can light up dozens of VOR frequencies across several states. Or… Many pilots state they are transmitting and receiving over 122.1. Another example is pilot not checking for RCO outages and receiving over a frequency that is OTS.
__joel_t@reddit
I hope no staffer is working 365 days a year!
LoungeFlyZ@reddit
Why not? 99% of the time they arent doing anything anyway by the sounds of it! :)
Lazypilot306@reddit
The last time I called on the radio with a student they had just changed the format for the flight plans from national to icao. We tried to open the vfr flight plan but they could not find it on file so we tried to file one. It was night time so I really wanted one just in case and the asshole on the other end instead of helping was annoyed because I didn’t know what the next block of the form was as I was trying to give him the flight plan information. We ended up just bot filing. I am not happy they are cancelling it but fuck. The one thing I used to use it the most was to get notams for airports when we decided to divert.
mduell@reddit
ICAO has been the preferred format for over a decade now? Good news, it sunsets by 2034 so you can maybe just skip straight to the new FF-ICE format.
Lazypilot306@reddit
Yeah… I am old. That was a while ago go son.
mduell@reddit
Heh, I guess that aligns well with this notice.
Lazypilot306@reddit
Not everyone that flies is stuck in the GA world ;).
x4457@reddit
Not everyone who flies jets considers GA to be beneath them and somewhere one gets “stuck”.
Lazypilot306@reddit
Wasn’t knocking GA at all. That comment was directed at the idea that everyone here must be flying 172s on weekends. Some folks move into other sectors, that’s all. No disrespect meant just perspective.
Granite_burner@reddit
Comes across to me as you saying “doesn’t matter your sector is screwed because I’m not in it”, amiright? If I’m wrong please clarify, are you supporting or opposing the Notice of Intent? Why?
Lazypilot306@reddit
Fair question, and I appreciate you asking instead of assuming. Let me clarify;
I’m not supporting the shutdown of Flight Service. I specifically said I wasn’t happy they’re cancelling it. I’ve used it in the past, and it served a real purpose. My point was that in my current role flying 121, I don’t interact with Flight Service anymore not because I think GA is beneath me, but because the resources we use are different. Dispatch, company systems, and other tools make it redundant for us.
What I shared earlier was a personal experience from when they transitioned to the ICAO format Happened a while ago as they were implementing the change. I was trying to work through it with a student, but the person on the other end didn’t handle it well. That left a bad taste, and I mentioned it because if you’re going to stay relevant as a service, especially one meant to support safety, how you treat people matters.
So yeah Flight Service can be valuable, especially for parts of aviation where those company-level resources don’t exist. But I also think it’s fair to acknowledge that they haven’t always kept up, and not every pilot interaction has been great. I’m not saying “your sector is screwed because I’m not in it” that’s not my mindset at all. I just don’t have a recent need to use them, and I was sharing my last impression.
Hope that clears it up.
Granite_burner@reddit
Thanks for that explanation. Very helpful, and I appreciate the insight into your perspective. Myself, I’m ambivalent about modernization changes, as my reflexive reaction. I enjoyed walking in to the local FSS and getting a briefing eyeball to eyeball with the specialist, years ago, but that doesn’t scale. I don’t know if the RCO usage is sufficient to justify the maintenance of the service. It’s not just the call servicing, it’s the monitoring and maintenance of all the equipment that adds to TCO (total cost of ownership). But I’m also worried about reduction in service, calling WX BRIEF these days is a lot less useful than the old days, back when I could walk into the FSS office the guys on the phones were also much more helpful. Probably because they weren’t as tightly scripted in the interest of efficiency. Definitely think things need to evolve, just not sure if evolution is being driven to suit the users, or to favor the suppliers…
Lazypilot306@reddit
🫡
jackpot909@reddit
This is why I’m not upset at this in the CONUS. In Alaska, RCOs are still very wildly used in the state. The only time I ever used a FSS was when it required for our course.
Maximus_2698@reddit
Would definitely not be surprised if they kept it going up in Alaska and got rid of it anywhere else.
jmizzle@reddit
Take 10 seconds to actually click the link and you’ll see the notice explicitly states the decommissioning excludes Alaska.
Maximus_2698@reddit
I did click the link but must have missed that part. Lose the snark
Granite_burner@reddit
Sloppy statistics, and sloppy logic. Or intentionally misleading statistics and deceit? In these Days of Doge it’s hard to dismiss the latter possibility.
“"In the mid-1980s, Flight Service received 22,000 service requests per day across this network,….”
“Across this network” is talking about the RCOs that are subject of the Notice of Intent. But that’s not all FSS specialists do. So the rest of the statistics about headcount are irrelevant and misleading without knowing about the rest of the workload.
I’m sure as soon as they award the contract to SpaceX we will hear all about how big the workload is and how more money needs to be thrown to the plutocrats for having their underpaid serfs handle it.
I’m wondering if StarLink satellites can handle the RCO frequencies? Or will we all be required to install Elon’s uplink in our panel when his new generation of transponders comes out?
CompleteEffort1@reddit
The only times I ever actually called flight service was the morning of my checkride just to say I did it
Mobe-E-Duck@reddit
I do, sometimes, on 22.2 just for the same reason I ask AI for simple answers. I prefer someone else to do the work and get back to me and they’re happy to do it.
Elios000@reddit
step 1. to killing GA in the US. awful idea.
Thick-Impression3569@reddit
How will this kill GA when, even in this thread, quite a few GA pilots don't even use the service?
Elios000@reddit
i said step 1. next will be weather services, then youll have pay for IFR and flight following...
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
Apparently unpopular opinion, but I have never had an issue with FSS... I've even called for a VFR briefing on a Southwest Airlines flight and the Briefer absolutely knew I was full of shit (the magical 172 that can go >130 KIAS), but played along anyways.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
I've talked to Southwest aircraft before. No need to disguise yourself.
AWACS_Bandog@reddit
I was a GA guy in the back
schmookeeg@reddit
Now that starlink is a thing, is there a way to amend flight plan ETE/ETA or other details while mid-air?
Every time I call up an RCO it sounds like I'm waking some poor dude up.
Elios000@reddit
starlink isnt something id bet my life on
schmookeeg@reddit
neither is an RCO?
RadioJockey1222@reddit
I assure you, you are not waking anyone up.
Oscar-TheOpsecOtter@reddit
I work on the RCOs and I am 100% for this.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
I don't like this.
To anyone and everyone out there who does not like this, you really should comment. I will watch this closely and make another post a month from now to catch anyone who may have missed it.
FSS is there when you need us, if you need us. If you have never used the inflight services, or are not sure how to use Radio, talk with a preflight briefer. They will be happy to educate you or fill in the gaps.
GayRonSwanson@reddit
I’ve called a handful of times, and I’d say around the briefer sounded annoyed that I was bothering them 3 out of 5 times. The most recent time, I was seeking forecast information and discussion about local weather patterns and they essentially just read the TAF and couldn’t provide any additional context, eventually saying VFR not recommended. It turned out to be a decent day for island hopping and went anyway.
Hengist@reddit
That was my experience when my wife and I were flying from NY to IA and back a few months ago. I called both ways and the briefer both times was so rude. I was mainly just interested in NOTAMs that might impact us as I'd never flown the route, and I was shocked to literally hear the last briefer actually swearing under their breath -- that is not an exaggeration. He literally wrapped up the final call with "there's no NOTAMs you need to worry about on your way --- {quietly in background} for fuck's sake." This was about a week prior to the November election, btw.
I've been flying since the 80s and I was frankly shocked. These last 10 years I haven't needed briefings very much with all the cool tech we got, so it was a bit of a wake up call to hear how bad things are now. It's sad to see it go, and I certainly am not on the same wavelength with the vast majority of the nonsense going on with the government these days, but if we're down to 300 or fewer calls a day, it's hard to imagine a reason to keep them on staff at this point. A minimal emergency team perhaps, but flight services seems to have completely fallen out of favor thanks to new technology available for just about every pilot.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
Sounds like that specialist could use more training in that area. You may want to submit feedback if you get another brief like this.
Designer-Category250@reddit
Yes
otterbarks@reddit
I'll definitely be leaving a comment. Thanks for all the hard work you do keeping us GA pilots safe. It's appreciated. <3
RadioJockey1222@reddit
Thanks for speaking up.
jdl232@reddit
Stupid.
otterbarks@reddit
If you're not happy with this, you have until May 27 to submit public comments through the Federal Register page.
Remember that the FAA will be evaluating the comments on their technical merits - it's not a vote. So please be sure to list scenarios where FSS provides assistance that's been critical to safety or can't be accommodated in some other way.
Things you might want to mention in a public comment:
I'm sure folks can think of some others?
RadioJockey1222@reddit
A simple comment that does not support this idea is effective as well. It's about the number of voices drowning out a bad idea, and the hopes those in charge hear those voices before acting irrationally.
flyingron@reddit
Today the RCOs, tomorrow 1800VFRNOTRECOMMENDED
RadioJockey1222@reddit
I don't always VNR, but when I do, it's because I'm legally required.
Kycrio@reddit
I once called for a VFR briefing on a very IFR day, because I was teaching about weather briefings. He sounded exacerbated as he read off all the many AIRMETs and PIREPs, he got probably halfway through before saying VNR and asking if we'd like him to keep going. I was like "lol no I'm just teaching how to get a briefing today thx"
LowerCourse2267@reddit
Uou keep using that word. I do not think it means what you it means.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
If it's hard IFR, I'll usually cut to the chase. Other specialists may operate differently.
Glass_Detective_8579@reddit
What’s VNR?
Own-Ice5231@reddit
I called once and spoke to a briefer and sounded a bit annoyed lmao. He asked me if I wanted him to read all of the antenna NOTAMs lol. All to end with VFR flight is not recommended lol
bhalter80@reddit
It it weren't for that overgrown shrubbery 50000 ft from the arrival end of the runway I'd have gone
Vincent-the-great@reddit
Good riddance, i hate having to teach this shit. I have never had ATC deny giving me relevant information.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
What is so bad about FSS?
49-10-1@reddit
At the 121 level calling FSS is definitely the least efficient way to pick up a clearance. I did it once on OE at a small outstation in the CRJ 200.
FSS isn’t used to 121 guys calling, and we aren’t used to dealing with FSS so it is slow as things are clarified. The ATC center phone numbers are about 5x faster, and I definitely prefer calling the centers directly.
I’m not saying this to be mean, and I realize a lot of it is procedures beyond the control of the individual, I’m just giving my honest feedback.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
This is is factually wrong. FSS can handle the traffic, be it 121 or anyone else. FSS has been around longer than ATC. FSS is a service mainly used by GA, yes, but they're professionals to everyone.
If I'm working a particular sector, and there's scheduled air service to that airport, I'm expecting the calls to cancel IFR and get your next clearance out of there.
The Radio sector calls and talks to the controller directly. If you're calling ATC over the phone, you're likely talking to the Flight Data individual. Either way, one of us is relaying a clearance. However, if Flight Data is getting hammered, they may not be able to answer the phone in a timely fashion. Remove the FSS outlet at the airport, and unless you can get your clearance digitally, now you're stuck.
fflyguy@reddit
Just because you’ve never experienced it, doesn’t mean others haven’t. On many occasions, I’d fly through Jacksonville center airspace and required an IFR air file. Center was too busy, told me to call FSS.
lnxguy@reddit
RCOs have been the way to guarantee communication in the remote and mountainous areas of Alaska. The simplex 122.X frequencies on navaids are a form of RCO, so losing them will add some pain o those of us who use them.
NuttPunch@reddit
Since it mentioned CONUS, that generally does not include alaska.
Thick-Impression3569@reddit
Good thing this excludes Alaska.
TheOvercookedFlyer@reddit
That's all they saved? A measly $2.5 million? That's barely a drop in the bucket! The repavament of my street costs five times as much.
clarkmueller@reddit
Highly underrated comment. I'm actually astonished that the FAA is so efficient that they were able to run that many sites across the geography of the entire country for such a small amount of money.
FlyJunior172@reddit
I don’t like the idea of getting rid of 122.2. Listening over VOR isn’t useful anymore, as VORs are already super commonly not monitored or being decommissioned.
I’m gonna go with get rid of the VOR based RCOs, but not the dedicated 122.2. Until FIS-B based tech has a low enough failure rate, we need to have access to FSS over radio. Right now, the biggest problem with the FIS-B based tech has to do with device pairing and memory. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve lost FIS-B data due to my device disconnecting from the transponder. Also, FSS can often have more up to date information than FIS-B.
cmmurf@reddit (OP)
It is the FAA's intent to decommission all remaining 936 RCOs in CONUS after a final rule is published.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
I’m tired of entitled GA pilots demanding their hobby be supported by the federal government in every single way. The GA lobby is already the reason our ATC system sucks and now they want to keep the taxpayer funding a mostly unused 1960s technology because a few precious pilots don’t want to get with the times? GTFO
Skrenlin@reddit
Where exactly are you expecting to get commercial pilots from if/when ga “goes away”?
bronzeagepilot@reddit
Do you expect GA to magically disappear if we make pilots more responsible for getting their own weather products/NOTAMS?
aeromonkee@reddit
I think you’re replying to a parody account. The whole “bronze age” thing is likely a reference to Bronze Age Pervert, a pseudonym for some wacky far-right bullshittery.
bronzeagepilot@reddit
How do you know I’m not into history? The late Bronze Age civilizational collapse was pretty fascinating
Part of the brilliance of that pseudonym is that it makes you sound absolutely insane if you bring it up outside of certain political circles
jaylw314@reddit
FSS by radio is helpful for evaluating ADM, especially since they have more weather products on hand than via ADSB. They've helped me a few times making some tough decisions in the air.
RHess19@reddit
Agreed. During my first dual XC, about halfway back to my home airport, a couple thunderstorms in the distance started throwing lightning, and FSS over the RCO was able to give us super helpful info about how the storms ahead of us looked and where they were actually located on our route. It's thanks to them that we were able to make a confident decision to turn around and fly the 10 minutes back to the nearest airport and wait a few hours for the storm to pass.
320sim@reddit
But without flight services, you should have made the same call anyway. And now there’s Foreflight with radar maps
jaylw314@reddit
In my case, they've helped me decide to proceed with my flight getting around thunderstorms or icing, even though there wasn't enough data on ADS-B or from ATC to help. Without that additional inquiry, I would have had to divert.
RadioJockey1222@reddit
I've made a call or two for airborne aircraft to FBOs, BaseOps, and Customs to relay messages. If ATC can't handle your request, try asking FSS.
NuttPunch@reddit
Hey everyone complaining about Trump or cuts to services like this. It's on you, not the administration. Don't want to see RCOs go away? Use them instead of other means. I seriously doubt the biggest complainers here have ever used an RCO or even used one recently. The FAA has data on their usage and they cut things they aren't using. Someone else already posted that here.
krypt0_ed@reddit
I have used RCO flight service exactly one time, I was trying to get flight following from CXL back home and Yuma/El Centro approach wasn't picking up on the listed frequency of the surrounding airports. He gave me the same frequencies I had access to on my chart. He was able to get me a frequency that wasn't listed on the chart. Initially he sounded annoyed like I was interrupting his supper.
Red-Truck-Steam@reddit
More shit that sucks. Live at 5.
TxAggieMike@reddit
Not a fan…
OnToNextStage@reddit
RIP
RadioJockey1222@reddit
Speak now or forever standby with ATC.
wakkow@reddit
Other thread