Why Did You Quit Using FSS?
09-18-2011, 05:59 AM
#31
A Second Past V1
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Assumed
Posts: 743
Thanks for the support. We like the work!
Depending on how far away from the transmitter (and altitude) you are at may come in a little garbled. On that note, anyone in the flight levels calling Flight Watch on 122.0, you probably light up about 4 or more outlets and it give a really bad feedback, so that's why they try to push you towards calling them up on the separate FW frequency for high flyers.
By the way the DF steer being completely gone, I think its only in Alaska where you can get it. Honolulu was contract and then folded into the western hub, but Alaska is all FAA, so they got to keep theirs.
Depending on how far away from the transmitter (and altitude) you are at may come in a little garbled. On that note, anyone in the flight levels calling Flight Watch on 122.0, you probably light up about 4 or more outlets and it give a really bad feedback, so that's why they try to push you towards calling them up on the separate FW frequency for high flyers.
By the way the DF steer being completely gone, I think its only in Alaska where you can get it. Honolulu was contract and then folded into the western hub, but Alaska is all FAA, so they got to keep theirs.
09-18-2011, 06:57 AM
#32
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Thanks for the support. We like the work!
Depending on how far away from the transmitter (and altitude) you are at may come in a little garbled. On that note, anyone in the flight levels calling Flight Watch on 122.0, you probably light up about 4 or more outlets and it give a really bad feedback, so that's why they try to push you towards calling them up on the separate FW frequency for high flyers.
By the way the DF steer being completely gone, I think its only in Alaska where you can get it. Honolulu was contract and then folded into the western hub, but Alaska is all FAA, so they got to keep theirs.
Depending on how far away from the transmitter (and altitude) you are at may come in a little garbled. On that note, anyone in the flight levels calling Flight Watch on 122.0, you probably light up about 4 or more outlets and it give a really bad feedback, so that's why they try to push you towards calling them up on the separate FW frequency for high flyers.
By the way the DF steer being completely gone, I think its only in Alaska where you can get it. Honolulu was contract and then folded into the western hub, but Alaska is all FAA, so they got to keep theirs.
Back in my early flying days, I took a tour of a FSS and they showed me the scope. On my way home I called back and they gave me a little demo.
I'd like to hear if any others have had any experience with DF steers; especially if they ever had to use them for the intended purpose!
USMCFLYR
09-19-2011, 07:48 AM
#33
A Second Past V1
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Assumed
Posts: 743
By the way, this goes out to any pilot interested...if you are near a FSS facility and want a tour, you can get one!
I think they only require a 24 hour notice for security purposes, but tours are offered. My first impression walking on to the operations floor was that it was a war room from a movie set, but it is quite impressive compared to those older FSS stations with green and black screens all over the place.
I think they only require a 24 hour notice for security purposes, but tours are offered. My first impression walking on to the operations floor was that it was a war room from a movie set, but it is quite impressive compared to those older FSS stations with green and black screens all over the place.
09-19-2011, 08:14 AM
#34
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
By the way, this goes out to any pilot interested...if you are near a FSS facility and want a tour, you can get one!
I think they only require a 24 hour notice for security purposes, but tours are offered. My first impression walking on to the operations floor was that it was a war room from a movie set, but it is quite impressive compared to those older FSS stations with green and black screens all over the place.
I think they only require a 24 hour notice for security purposes, but tours are offered. My first impression walking on to the operations floor was that it was a war room from a movie set, but it is quite impressive compared to those older FSS stations with green and black screens all over the place.
Another internet pat on the back. After a 6 month flying drought, I've started back and FSS is very responsive and I've gotten a South Carolina briefer quickly - less than 20 seconds - each time. Service has improved.
On another note, I got a tour of a tower cab in the early 90's. Aside from the "Brite" screen, the knobs, dials, and switches looked like they were from the 50's, but so did the controllers
Looked like an awesome job, jeans and a polo, boom box with Led Zepplin softly (can you do that?) playing in the background. Obviously we were there during a slow time.It would probably take an act of Congress to get a tour these days.
09-19-2011, 08:54 AM
#35
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Correct. We had some crews up in Alaska working in the last two weeks that did some inspections on them.
Back in my early flying days, I took a tour of a FSS and they showed me the scope. On my way home I called back and they gave me a little demo.
I'd like to hear if any others have had any experience with DF steers; especially if they ever had to use them for the intended purpose!
USMCFLYR
Back in my early flying days, I took a tour of a FSS and they showed me the scope. On my way home I called back and they gave me a little demo.
I'd like to hear if any others have had any experience with DF steers; especially if they ever had to use them for the intended purpose!
USMCFLYR
USMCFLYR
09-19-2011, 10:06 AM
#36
A Second Past V1
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Position: Assumed
Posts: 743
Just make a call, there is no harm in that. There are commercial lines to tower cabs and centers, and they can point you to the right person if you wanted a tour. And hey, if you cannot find the number on your own, give FSS a call and we can help you out.
Pretty much. They still visit Sun & Fun and Oshkosh, and I believe this year they are still doing the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, but outside of that, its all over the phone or radio.
09-19-2011, 10:28 AM
#37
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
09-20-2011, 05:42 AM
#38
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 650
To quote a rather good movie..."if you don't use it, you lose it."
FSS depends on traffic counts, hence the reason why they have gone from a couple thousand briefers to a little over 700 in the past decade. An abbreviated briefing is quick, easy, and keeps the count up, let alone calling up on flight watch or radio with a pirep is another way to keep the count up. All I am saying is if you are flying around FDH, we could use the help.
A little hint (which still boggles my mind why this isn't advertised). If you have a cell phone and you would like to build a profile off that number, call up and ask to build a pilot profile. That way, from there on out, when you call from that number, your information is stored. If you have a tail number or even the generics of the kind of plane you are flying, a flight plan can get cranked out in about a minute.
FSS depends on traffic counts, hence the reason why they have gone from a couple thousand briefers to a little over 700 in the past decade. An abbreviated briefing is quick, easy, and keeps the count up, let alone calling up on flight watch or radio with a pirep is another way to keep the count up. All I am saying is if you are flying around FDH, we could use the help.
A little hint (which still boggles my mind why this isn't advertised). If you have a cell phone and you would like to build a profile off that number, call up and ask to build a pilot profile. That way, from there on out, when you call from that number, your information is stored. If you have a tail number or even the generics of the kind of plane you are flying, a flight plan can get cranked out in about a minute.
I do have a profile built with my phone and have called a few times from the ground. It is just so much easier to brief online for me sinse I use an IPAD with Foreflight it is a one stop shop to flight plan, brief, file and navigate.
When I was working on my PVT my instructor made me call even if weather was clear and a millon.
09-20-2011, 12:02 PM
#39
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Here is the directory and addresses for the 6 contract FSS stations: https://www.afss.com/index.cfm?regid...J%3B1%5C%20%0A
Just make a call, there is no harm in that. There are commercial lines to tower cabs and centers, and they can point you to the right person if you wanted a tour. And hey, if you cannot find the number on your own, give FSS a call and we can help you out.
Pretty much. They still visit Sun & Fun and Oshkosh, and I believe this year they are still doing the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, but outside of that, its all over the phone or radio.
Just make a call, there is no harm in that. There are commercial lines to tower cabs and centers, and they can point you to the right person if you wanted a tour. And hey, if you cannot find the number on your own, give FSS a call and we can help you out.
Pretty much. They still visit Sun & Fun and Oshkosh, and I believe this year they are still doing the Albuquerque Balloon Festival, but outside of that, its all over the phone or radio.
Thanks for the web link Outlaw.
USMCFLYR
09-21-2011, 07:04 PM
#40
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
About 2yrs ago(can't remember exactly when, have to dig out the old logbook) I did an in-person brief at IKK. It was a little funny as the guy talked to me in person like I was through the phone still and not looking at the same computer screen he was, but a neat experience.
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