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Air Traffic ManagementLesson 6 of 6

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ATM 006

Flight information service

The service at a glance

Flight information service, FIS, gives information and advice for the safe and efficient conduct of flights (ATM 001). It comes in two types: en-route FIS and AFIS.

Two regulations set it out: Regulation (EU) 2017/373, ATM/ANS, air traffic management and air navigation services, and Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, SERA.
Who gives FIS and alerting service
FIS and ALRS
  • FIC
    Within an FIRA flight information centre
    Unless the responsibility is assigned to an air traffic control unit with adequate facilities.
  • ATC
    Within controlled airspace and at controlled aerodromesThe relevant air traffic control unit
  • AFIS
    At an AFIS aerodromeThe AFIS unit
    The unit that gives AFIS, aerodrome flight information service.
Who is given it

FIS is provided by ATS units to all aircraft which are likely to be affected by the information and which are:

Provided with air traffic control serviceorOtherwise known to the relevant air traffic services units

The scope of FIS

What FIS passes on. First the three weather messages, then the rest, with how each reaches the pilot where it has a message of its own.

SIGMETSignificant meteorological information

Significant en-route weather, at any level.

AIRMETAirmen’s meteorological information

Weather below FL 100 that is weaker than a SIGMET needs. Denmark issues none.

ARSSpecial air-report

Significant weather, reported by a pilot in flight.

All three, and who issues them: MET 009.

InformationReaches the pilot by
  • Volcanic ash
    VA SIGMET
  • Radioactive material or toxic chemicalsA radioactive cloud has a SIGMET of its own, RDOACT CLD. Toxic chemicals have none.
    SIGMET
  • Changes in the availability of radio navigation services
    NOTAM
  • Changes in the condition of the aerodromeIncluding the state of the movement areas.
    NOTAM
  • Unmanned free balloons
  • Abnormal aircraft configuration and condition
  • Weather at the departure, destination and alternate aerodromes
  • Collision hazardsIn airspace Classes C, D, E, F and G (LAW 004).
    Traffic information
  • Surface vesselsFor flights over water.
    On request
  • Bird activity
  • Messages, including clearances, from other ATS units
    Relayed

Traffic information

The definitionInformation from an ATS unit that alerts a pilot to other known or observed traffic near its position or intended route, and helps the pilot avoid a collision.
What it contains
1234567891011125 NM
A clock position is read from the nose of the aircraft, 12 o’clock straight ahead.
PositionGeographical position, or clock position and distance in NM.
LevelAltitude or FL.
Direction of flight and/or intentions
Other informationType, speed, climbing, descending, turning.
Where it comes from
Procedural

Information derived from pilot reports.

Surveillance

Information derived from surveillance displays.

The same two ways as ATC builds its picture: ATM 003.

ATS cannot assume responsibility for its issuance at all times or for its accuracy. It covers only the traffic ATS knows about.

Airborne safety nets, such as TCAS, the traffic alert and collision avoidance system, add to FIS but do not replace it. Pilots may mention them on the radio, as in “TCAS RA”, a resolution advisory.

Relaying a message

Messages, including clearances, received from other ATS units are relayed to the aircraft. They are relayed exactly as received.

Issued byAnother ATS unitThe instruction or clearance comes from it.
Relayed byThe FIS unitExactly as received, and, for clarity, naming the unit that issued it.
ToThe aircraft

On the radio(unit) CLEARS (callsign) …

What a clearance contains: ATM 003.

What AFIS adds

At an AFIS aerodrome the AFIS unit gives the flight information above, and adds four things of its own, all about the aerodrome.

Collision hazardsWith aircraft, vehicles and persons on the manoeuvring area.
The movement of vehicles and persons on the manoeuvring areaManaged by the AFIS unit. In Denmark, traffic on the manoeuvring area needs the AFIS unit’s permission.
The runway-in-use
Local traffic

Abnormal aircraft configuration and condition is given at an AFIS aerodrome too, as part of the scope above. The view from the AFIS unit is drawn in PEN 004.

Means of transmission

Four ways the information reaches the aircraft.

  • Directed transmissionPreferredTo one aircraft, which acknowledges it.
  • General callTo all aircraft concerned, called as ALL STATIONS. Not acknowledged.
  • BroadcastThe ATIS and VOLMET: below.
  • Data linkSent as data, not spoken.

ALL STATIONS on the radio: ATM 002.

OFIS broadcasts

OFIS, operational flight information service, is sent out as broadcasts: the ATIS and VOLMET.

OFISOperational flight information service
BroadcastATIS

Automatic terminal information service

  • Runway-in-use
  • Weather information
  • Operational procedures

Pilots acknowledge receiving it on first contact with the approach unit, the tower or the AFIS unit.

BroadcastVOLMET

Meteorological information for aircraft in flight

  • METAR
  • TAF
  • SIGMET

The three beside the other messages: MET 009.

Reading material

Air Traffic Management

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/373 (ATM/ANS) Reference, free
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012 (SERA) Reference, free