The value of flight information services (FIS)

This paper describes the applications and importance of Flight Information Services (FIS) in various operational settings in the National Airspace System (NAS). The term FIS refers to the provision of flight information such as text or graphical weather data; the status of airports, airspace, and facilities; and other operational information directly to the cockpit. With this information, the pilot is better able to assess risks and opportunities in the flight environment, and consequently can make decisions which enhance safety and efficiency. To overcome the technical and operational limitations of the current voice radiotelephone system in delivering such information to the cockpit, several digital data link architectures are being considered for the future. Prior to evaluating candidate architectures, however, it is important to understand likely operational uses of FIS data. Toward this understanding, qualitative and quantitative estimates of the value, or importance, of FIS are included, along with a summary of how different user groups will use this data