AFSS Transition

Jeff Oslick

Jeff Oslick

Final Approach
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Jeff Oslick
Ok, I'm now pretty thoroughly confused as to how this transition to Lockheed-Martin (L-M) is working. When I call the WX-BRIEF # from my cell phone, I now get routed to the Prescott, AZ L-M AFSS. My cell used to route me to Hawthorne AFSS. I can, however, still directly call, and get briefings from either Hawthorne or Riverside AFSS, if I call their direct "866" number.

I searched around on the FAA website, but I can't figure out how long this transition period is going to last for these particular FSS stations, or who will ultimately be serving the LA area. Nothing against you Arizona guys, but there's a pretty heavy concentration of pilots in SoCal, and SoCal has some pretty unique microclimates that it takes a good FSS specialist quite awhile to figure out. I see some definite potential for problems due to lack of local knowledge if SoCal is going to be serviced by Prescott.

The other service I'll miss are the "West of the coastal mountains, Santa Barbara-Banning Pass-Mexican border area" telephone pre-recorded briefings. These are great to get an overview of the situation from Santa Barbara to San Diego before talking to a briefer, and Prescott doesn't have them on their recorded weather.

Jeff
 
Jeff Oslick said:
Ok, I'm now pretty thoroughly confused as to how this transition to Lockheed-Martin (L-M) is working. When I call the WX-BRIEF # from my cell phone, I now get routed to the Prescott, AZ L-M AFSS. My cell used to route me to Hawthorne AFSS. I can, however, still directly call, and get briefings from either Hawthorne or Riverside AFSS, if I call their direct "866" number.

I searched around on the FAA website, but I can't figure out how long this transition period is going to last for these particular FSS stations, or who will ultimately be serving the LA area. Nothing against you Arizona guys, but there's a pretty heavy concentration of pilots in SoCal, and SoCal has some pretty unique microclimates that it takes a good FSS specialist quite awhile to figure out. I see some definite potential for problems due to lack of local knowledge if SoCal is going to be serviced by Prescott.

The other service I'll miss are the "West of the coastal mountains, Santa Barbara-Banning Pass-Mexican border area" telephone pre-recorded briefings. These are great to get an overview of the situation from Santa Barbara to San Diego before talking to a briefer, and Prescott doesn't have them on their recorded weather.

Jeff
Click to expand...

I have always had the same problem with my cellphone. If I call (800)WX-BRIEF, I get the "Fort Worth Automated Flight Service Station," instead of Albuquerque. I called Sprint to find out why, and it turns out that the nearest real tower that Sprint owns is in Texas. My suspicicion in your case is that the tower you normally use is not functioning, so you have been relayed to a tower that is further away.

I bet its not permanent or Lockheed's fault. If it is permanent, then I bet your cell provider changed the location of their tower.
 
Same experience here. I try to call the McMinnville (OR) AFSS to get the local weather recordings, but now usually get the Boise AFSS. The weather recordings are for the Idaho area - none for Oregon. :(

Thanks for the hint about the direct numbers - I'll have to put that in my cell phone.

Tyler
 
i know what jeff means. I used to be able to call on my cell phone, now i am told that i cant access the number with this phone. I called friday to check TFRs because the prsident was in socal, figured id better be safe incase he was stopping in havasu for fuel:) And the breifer was kinda rude to me. fist call, i was disconnected before talking to anyone..that was prescott. second call handled by albequerqe, and it took a while for them to anser the phone. he seemed perterbed that i was asking about TFRs in AZ. Its my ticket not yours to lose buddy, ill keep calling and bugging you about TFRs.

overall, i wasnt too impressed with FSS friday.
 
The only thing I can say about the transition is that the response times at the Williamsport, PA FSS are much shorter (5-10 seconds) then they used to be (5-15 minutes). So far the briefers I've talked to are all knowledgible about the local area. No complaints, here...
 
I haven't noticed any difference here. Seems to be the same old Princeton. I've never had a problem with hold times with them though it's usually within a few seconds.
 
RotaryWingBob said:
The only thing I can say about the transition is that the response times at the Williamsport, PA FSS are much shorter (5-10 seconds) then they used to be (5-15 minutes). So far the briefers I've talked to are all knowledgible about the local area. No complaints, here...
Click to expand...

And, they finally routed Western NJ calls to Williamsport instead of Leesburg or Islip. I also got a very quick answer on Sunday morning, and they knew what they were talking about.

Now if they would just get Milville's radios covered ....
 
Took 2-1/2 minutes for San Angelo to even answer the phone yesterday morning, then I was put on hold (religous music) for another minute.
 
RotaryWingBob said:
The only thing I can say about the transition is that the response times at the Williamsport, PA FSS are much shorter (5-10 seconds) then they used to be (5-15 minutes). So far the briefers I've talked to are all knowledgible about the local area. No complaints, here...
Click to expand...

The two FSS's that I frequent seem to be unchanged. Princeton (MN) is as quick and helpful as ever and Lansing (MI) is as slow as ever. I waited 5-10 minutes to get Lansing on the phone Friday.
 
No perceptable differences in Seattle Radio and have heard a few familar voices as well as new ones. They're always very good and very timely with anything they can supply (knock on wood...).
 
No observed difference from FTW thus far; still consistently quick, friendly and good.
 
SCCutler said:
No observed difference from FTW thus far; still consistently quick, friendly and good.
Click to expand...

So are they still forgetting to send IFR flight plans to the host computer?

FTW has lost more of my flightplans than any other AFSS, anywhere.
 
I called FSS from my cell on Sunday and got Albequerque first. I hung up and redialed and then connected to Prescott. This may offer some explanation (although it seems light):

http://www.faa.gov/ATS/AFSS/bdrafss/cellphone_text.htm

I had no issues with FSS at all. It's been a while since I've talked to them and asked to be prompted (I was in the car and didn't have my paperwork in front of me). The briefer was courteous and had no problems working with me. I didn't notice a difference from pre-Lockheed.
 
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