Flight Services Program Operations

Dennis E. Roberts, Director of Flight Services Program Operations	The FSPO manages program objectives, strategies and plans for providing flight planning, advisory, operations, and search and rescue coordination services in Alaska overseen exclusively by government personnel, and the Continental US, Puerto Rico and Hawaii, with all AFSSs managed by the A-76 contract Service Provider, Lockheed Martin. The FSPO ensures that Lockheed Martin fulfills the obligations of the A-76 contract and meets established Performance Measures. In addition, the FSPO Directorate provides oversight of flight services performance, costs and customer satisfaction within the National Airspace System (NAS). Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSSs) are a network of facilities across the United States operated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These stations are a part of the FAA air traffic system and are staffed by uniquely trained air traffic control specialists. The primary role of an AFSS is to provide weather briefings and flight planning services to pilots. AFSSs also coordinate VFR search and rescue services, provide orientation service to lost aircraft, maintain continuous weather broadcasts on selected Navigational Aids (NAVAIDs), and issue and cancel Notices To Airmen (NOTAMs). The performance goals of the A-76 competition was to: Deliver timely and accurate information to support safe and efficient flight; Ensure quality services are delivered while carrying out the mission of the AFSS; Ensure customer needs are met; and Achieve significant process improvements to lower the costs and maximize operational efficiency of the AFSS. Lockheed Martin has consolidated the current flight service system into three hub facilities in Ft. Worth, TX; Leesburg, VA and Prescott, AZ plus 17 continuing AFSS Sites, effectively closing 38 AFSSs across the U.S.