Flight Services Program Operations

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The Flight Services Program Operations (FSPO) office 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 United States (US), Puerto Rico and Hawaii, with all Flight Service Stations (FSS) managed by the A-76 contract Service Provider, Lockheed Martin. FSPO ensures that Lockheed Martin fulfills the obligations of the A-76 contract and meets established Performance Measures. In addition, FSPO provides oversight of flight services performance, costs and customer satisfaction within the National Airspace System (NAS).

FSSs are a network of facilities across the US operated by the Department of Transportation, 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 a FSS is to provide weather briefings and flight planning services to pilots. Specialists 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).

On February 1, 2005, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded a performance-based, fixed-price incentive fee contract to Lockheed Martin Flight Services (LMFS). On October 4, 2005, LMFS assumed responsibility for providing flight services to pilots in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Continental United States. Due to Alaska's unique weather and topographical conditions, Alaska’s flight service facilities were not included in the contract award.

After an evaluation of traffic volumes and staffing levels, on February 1, 2009, LMFS consolidated the services of five of the continuing sites into the operations at the three hubs and ten remaining continuing sites. The five sites that were closed were Albuquerque, Denver, Macon, Oakland, and San Diego. LMFS operates on a national facility concept and has always maintained positions within the three hubs for the continuing sites. Specialists at the hubs have been certified to work one or more of the areas of responsibility (AORs), including those for continuing sites.

On December 4, 2009, LMFS notified the FAA of its plans to consolidate seven of the remaining ten continuing sites on February 1, 2010. The sites to be closed are Columbia, MO; Honolulu, HI; Kankakee, IL; Lansing, MI; Nashville, TN; St. Petersburg, FL; and Seattle, WA. The new site map which went into effect February 1, 2010, is shown below.

FSS Continuing Facilities and Hub Locations

This site is designed with one primary customer in mind; you the pilot, and briefly describes the process to provide feedback to the FAA related to flight services.