8.2 Air Traffic Control Entities

    Flight service station (FSS) and Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC)

    When we think of air traffic control, we think of the big towers around the airport. Also, we think of controllers that are busy moving in a high ellipse. However, the actual air traffic control system is much more complex than we can think of! Today, I would like to discuss the Flight service station (FSS) and Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC), which are one of the air traffic control organizations.

    FSS conducts pre-flight pilot briefings, flight planning, in-flight advisory services, and search and rescue services. Specifically, 1800wxbrief.com allows pilots to receive pre-flight briefings online, submit flight plans, and receive automatic notifications and alerts, including flight plan end notifications. In other words, it provides weather information for pilots, supports pre-flight briefings, and is responsible for search and rescue operations for aircraft that are delayed beyond their registered arrival time. In my personal experience, when I went to San Diego from Phoenix which was my first solo long cross country, I submitted a flight plan and be briefed on the weather that could cause problems along the way. After arriving cross-country safely, I was eating at a restaurant when I got a call from an unknown number. I felt something strange, and it was 30 minutes past the arrival time I had submitted to the FSS, and I had forgotten to close my flight plan. They made sure I arrived safely and told me that I must close the file next time. As such, the FSS plays a role in providing important information for the pilot's departure and arrival.

    ATCSCC is responsible for monitoring and managing the overall air traffic flow. Through this, it induces a safe and rapid flow of air traffic while minimizing delays. To this end, it also monitors the weather, such as weather, clouds, wind, precipitation, and turbulence that can affect the flow of aircraft. In addition, irregular flights or high-density airports are continuously monitored and coordinated and planned. They even modify some of the air traffic to minimize delays and congestion due to equipment failures or runway closures. In other words, ATCSCC is responsible for managing the overall flow.

    Both FSS and ATCSS provides a safe environment for pilots and passengers as well as public. However, if the FSS is in charge of weather briefing and search and rescue before and after of each flight, the ATCSS is playing a role in maintaining the smooth flow of the entire US airspace.

Flight Service (n.d.), Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs

Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) (n.d.), Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/nas_ops/atcscc