A flight information service (FIS) is a form of
air traffic service
In aviation, an air traffic service (ATS) is a service which regulates and assists aircraft in real-time to ensure their safe operations. In particular, ATS is to:
* prevent collisions between aircraft; provide advice of the safe and efficient cond ...
which is available to any aircraft within a
flight information region
In aviation, a flight information region (FIR) is a specified region of airspace in which a flight information service and an alerting service (ALRS) are provided. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) delegates which country is r ...
(FIR), as agreed internationally by
ICAO
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO, ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates the principles and techniques of international air navigation, and fosters the planning and development of international ...
.
It is defined as information pertinent to the safe and efficient conduct of flight, and includes information on other potentially conflicting traffic, possibly derived from
radar
Radar is a detection system that uses radio waves to determine the distance ('' ranging''), angle, and radial velocity of objects relative to the site. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, w ...
, but stopping short of providing positive separation from that traffic.
Flight Information also includes:
*Meteorological information
*Information on aerodromes
*Information on possible hazards to flight
FIS shall be provided to all aircraft which are provided with any air traffic control (ATC) service or are otherwise known to air traffic service units. All air traffic service units will provide an FIS to any aircraft, in addition to their other tasks.
Aerodrome Flight Information Service
In most countries, an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS) is provided at airfields where, despite not being busy enough for full
air traffic control
Air traffic control (ATC) is a service provided by ground-based air traffic controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and through a given section of controlled airspace, and can provide advisory services to aircraft in non-controlled airsp ...
, the traffic is such that some form of service is necessary. It can be seen as a half-way house between an uncontrolled and controlled airfield: As a part of the FIS, the AFIS provides pilots of aircraft with details of other known traffic taking off, landing and flying in the vicinity of the airfield.
Airspace
AFIS is provided at the aerodrome and in the surrounding airspace. The airspace in the immediate vicinity of the aerodrome is internationally called TIZ – Traffic Information Zone (some nations have other words and abbreviates e.g. the UK as seen below). The traffic information zone is equivalent to the controlled aerodromes CTR – control zone. Above the TIZ most AFIS aerodromes have a TIA – Traffic Information Area equivalent to the controlled aerodromes TMA. The TIZ and TIA are most commonly airspace classification G but with the additional regulation of mandatory two-way radio communication., commonly called G+. In some nations the airspace classification F is also used.
Service
The AFIS officer (abbreviated AFISO) provides flight information service including, traffic information, meteorological information, information on runway state and other information useful for the safe and efficient conduct of flight. The pilot must use this information and make up his own mind about certain aspects e.g. flight route. In TIZ and TIA the pilots are responsible for separation to other flights based on the information given by the AFISO.

AFIS airports most commonly are not equipped with radar, although there are those that have it (e.g. in Denmark and Norway). It is therefore of utmost importance that the pilots call in and give accurate position reports so that the AFISO can relay appropriate traffic information.
Traffic
How much traffic an aerodrome can have and still be an AFIS aerodrome is not internationally regulated and is subject to national regulation by the relevant
CAA
CAA may refer to:
Law
* Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 of India
** Protests regarding the Citizenship (Amendment) Act
* Copyright assignment agreement, to transfer copyright to another party
* Clean Air Act, United States law to reduce air p ...
. The amount of traffic at AFIS aerodromes can vary depending subject to national requirements, as well as the type of traffic in the airspace. In some countries only
VFR flights are allowed, but in many
IFR
In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR).
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument ...
,
VFR,
military
A military, also known collectively as armed forces, is a heavily armed, highly organized force primarily intended for warfare. It is typically authorized and maintained by a sovereign state, with its members identifiable by their distin ...
and others are allowed. There are no international restrictions on what types of flight an AFIS aerodrome can service.
Regulation
AFIS is not internationally regulated like Air traffic control is by ICAO. However, Eurocontrol have issued a recommendation called Eurocontrol manual for AFIS.
Since there is no international regulation, AFIS is subject to national regulation by the relevant CAA.
AFIS around the world
AFIS is provided at airfields and aerodromes all over the world.
International Flight Information Service Association
Formed in September 2015, IFISA is an umbrella organisation for all national associations/unions/trade unions which represent AFIS or FIS operators. 28 Nations are already involved, with the aim of working with ICAO and EASA to improve the FIS service worldwide.
UK
In the UK this service is provided by a licensed
Flight Information Service Officer
Flight information service officers or FISO, provide a flight information service (FIS) to any air traffic that requests it, or requires it. A FISO is a licensed operator, who most usually works at an aerodrome, although there are some FISOs work ...
(FISO), who has been validated at the particular Aerodrome, using the callsign suffix "Information". The authority of an FISO providing a service at an aerodrome resembles a fully qualified controller for aircraft
taxiing
Taxiing (rarely spelled taxying) is the movement of an aircraft on the ground, under its own power, in contrast to towing or pushback where the aircraft is moved by a tug. The aircraft usually moves on wheels, but the term also includes aircr ...
, but only extends to the provision of an FIS to aircraft landing, taking-off or in flight, within the Area of Responsibility (i.e. the Aerodrome, and Air Traffic Zone (ATZ)).
All UK FISO units are members of the Association of UK FISO's.
Training

The training to become an AFISO is not internationally regulated and is subject to national CAA legislation. However, there is one international academy providing AFIS training approved in many European nations. The academy located in Sweden at Malmö Airport called EPN – Entry Point North. EPN provides AFIS training with and without radar as well as refresher training, continuation training and development training. The basic school training is approximately 13 weeks long and needs to be followed by national training and unit training.
Dedicated Flight Information frequencies
Any particular FIR will often have one or more dedicated FIS frequencies where aircraft can make first contact for information. The quality of the information that such frequencies can give is tempered by the large geographical area that they cover, and in some more sparsely populated FIRs the frequencies are often not staffed. An FIS might suggest that aircraft contact a more suitable frequency, e.g., a local airport's radar unit, should that unit be in a position to provide a better service. These units often use the callsign suffix "Information".
In some countries, including the United States, an FIS is provided by units known as
flight service station
A flight service station (FSS) is an air traffic facility that provides information and services to aircraft pilots before, during, and after flights, but unlike air traffic control (ATC), is not responsible for giving instructions or clearances or ...
s (FSS).
References
External links
CAP797 UK Flight Information Service Officer ManualCAP1032 UK Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer LicensingEurocontrol manual for AFISifisa.infomeetingpoint ATSEntry Point NorthFrance Aviation Civile Services
{{Commercial air travel
Air traffic control