Flight Information Service in the United Kingdom UNITED KINGDOM
Abbreviations
ACC Area Control Centre
AFIS Aerodrome Flight Information Service
AFISO Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer
AGCS Air/Ground Communications Service
ATC Air Traffic Control
ATCU Air Traffic Control Unit
ATS Air Traffic Service
ATSU Air Traffic Service Unit
CAA Civil Aviation Authority
CAS(T) Temporary Class D Airspace
FIR Flight Information Region
FIS Flight Information Service
FISO Flight Information Service Officer
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organisation
ITO Initial Training Organisation
UK Flight Information Services
ICAO defines FIS as ‘a service provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights’.
Within the UK, the scope of FIS, as defined in ICAO Annex 11, and transposed into European Law through Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, is met through the application of any one of the suite of UK Flight Information Services (as defined within CAP 774). This suite of Air Traffic Services (ATS) includes:
• Basic Service. A non-surveillance based ATS which is directly analogous to ICAO FIS and incorporates the provision of an Alerting Service;
• Traffic Service. In addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the pilot is provided with traffic information derived from an ATS surveillance system;
• Deconfliction Service. In addition to the provisions of a Basic Service, the pilot is provided with traffic information derived from an ATS surveillance system and is issued headings and/or levels which are aimed at achieving a planned deconfliction minima from conflicting traffic.
Within the UK, FISOs may provide ATS both to ‘en-route traffic’ at the London and Prestwick Area Control Centres, or at certain notified aerodromes. The services provided by FISOs are, Basic Service and Aerodrome Flight Information Service.
Basic Service
A Basic Service is a non-surveillance based ATS provided for the purpose of giving advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flights. This may include weather information, changes of serviceability of facilities, conditions at aerodromes, general airspace activity information, and any other information likely to affect safety. The avoidance of other traffic is solely the pilot’s responsibility.
Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS)
AFIS is the term used to describe the provision of advice and information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of aerodrome traffic, including assisting pilots in the prevention of collisions.
An AFIS unit provides AFIS to traffic operating within, and in the vicinity of the Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) and may provide a Basic Service to other aircraft upon request.
In the UK, Aerodrome FISOs are permitted to issue instructions to:
• vehicles and personnel on the manoeuvring area; and
• departing aircraft moving on the manoeuvring area up to the holding point of the departure runway; and
• arriving aircraft moving on the manoeuvring area on completion of the landing roll.
Airspace
Class G
Most of the time, UK FISOs provide ATS – the previously described Basic Service and/or Aerodrome Flight Information Service – to flights operating within Class G airspace.
CAS(T)
From time to time however, certain aerodromes where ATS are provided by Aerodrome FISOs will have a temporary Class D Control Zone established for the protection of flights which are afforded Royal Flight status. In these instances, specific procedures are established between the FIS unit and the Controlling Authority of the CAS(T); usually a local radar ATC unit.
FISO Units & Personnel
Aerodromes:
Barra | Barrow | Benbecula | |
Blackbushe | Campbeltown | Chichester (Goodwood) | |
City Airport (Barton) | Cotswold Airport (Kemble) | Duxford | |
Elstree | Fairoaks | Fleetlands | |
Kirkwall | Lerwick/Tingwall | Leeds East | |
Llanbedr | Islay | Netheravon | |
Northampton (Sywell) | Oban | Old Warden | |
Retford (Gamston) | Rochester | Shobdon | |
Stornoway | Sumburgh | Tiree | |
Wellesbourne Mountford | West Wales Airport (Aberporth) | Wick | |
Wolverhampton | Yeovil |
NATS Swanwick “London Information”
3 sectors covering England and Wales.
NATS Prestwick “Scottish Information”
1 sector covering Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Number of licensed FISOs
There are approximately 227 UK licensed FISOs; this includes:
Aerodrome FIS – 165
Area FIS – 29
Training – Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer
Requirements for issuance of an AFISO licence:
1. At least 18 years of age
2. Passed examination for a Radio Operators Certificate of Competence
3. Passed written examination in Navigation & Meteorology
4. Passed written examination in Law & Procedures
5. Hold a valid medical certificate
6. Ability to communicate in English
Initial Training
1. Currently there is no UK requirement to complete a formal training course at an ITO
2. Courses are available; provided by Global ATS Ltd
3. Some, but not all, aerodromes around the UK send candidates on AFISO courses
Unit Training and Initial validation:
1. Minimum of 40 hours service provision under supervision
2. Successfully complete an examination consisting of a practical and oral test with an ATS Inspector
Competency Maintenance
1. Must exercise privileges of licence at least once every 90 days
2. Must have a competence assessment at least once every 24 months – conducted by LCE or ATS Inspector
Training – Flight Information Service Officer (Area)
Requirements for issuance of an FISO (A) licence:
1. At least 18 years of age
2. Passed examination for a Radio Operators Certificate of Competence
3. Completed 3 week classroom and practical training course
4. Passed written examination
5. Hold a valid medical certificate
6. Ability to communicate in English
NATS conduct in-house unit training, validations and competency assessments for Area FISOs.
Association of UK Flight Information Service Officers
The AUKFISO was formed in 2011 to unite all of the Flight Information Service units throughout the United Kingdom.
The association meets twice a year at member units to discuss various aspects of the FIS service and to work with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to enhance/develop the service member units provide. The Civil Aviation Authority has stated that “the vehicle for industry/CAA interface is the FISO Association”.
In 2015 AUKFISO became one of the founding members of IFISA, with the ability to talk on an international platform on both Aerodrome and Area FIS matters.
www.aukfiso.com
Future Developments
International Developments
• ICAO’s ATM Ops Panel is considering the need to replace ICAO Circular 211-AN/128 Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS).
• The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has recognised AFIS in provisions that have been drafted within the forthcoming Part-ATS annex of the ATM Implementing Rule; the NPA on ‘Part-ATS’ is expected to be published in early September.
• The UK CAA anticipates that EASA may undertake some form of rulemaking activity on the training and licensing of FISOs in the mid-2020s.
UK Developments
• The UK CAA anticipates initiating a detailed review of all aspects of the UK’s licensing of FISOs in 2017.
• The scope of the review will include topics such as:
• the training of FISOs, including both the initial training and ‘on-the-job-training’ (OJT) phases.
• language proficiency.
• the development of specific licence endorsements for FIS OJT Instructors and FIS Assessors.
• Fatigue management.
• The review will be informed by existing EU legislation relating to the training and licensing of ATCOs as the potential basis for any future UK provisions.
• The review will consider known differences in AFIS provision between the UK and other European Union Member States.
United Kingdom overseas territories
Air Safety Support International (ASSI) is a subsidiary of the UK Civil Aviation Authority with a remit to provide a regulatory framework, to advice and to assist the UK Overseas Territories (OTs). Two of these OTs currently use flight information service officers.
Legislation:
Air Navigation (Overseas Territories) Order
Regulations:
Overseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR) Part 65 – Licensing
Oerseas Territories Aviation Requirements (OTAR) Part 172 – Air Traffic Services
Nomenclature:
“Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer” – Basic service, no surveillance aids
Locations:
Falkland Islands
Stanley Airport
Current FISO Licence holders 4
Turks & Caicos Islands
North Caicos Airport
South Caicos Airport
Current FISO Licence holders 10
Training:
TCI: Bespoke training programme/exams initially imported from the UK and then developed locally.
FI: Training in the UK followed by locally based training module and exams.
Unit examinations:
Final check out exam
Biennial competence assessments
North Caicos Airport, Turks & Caicos Islands, Caribbean
South Caicos Airport, Turks & Caicos Islands, Caribbean
Stanley Airport, Falkland Islands, South Atlantic