What does AFSS mean in METEOROLOGY

An Automated Flight Service Station, or AFSS, is a communication facility staffed by professionally trained air traffic specialists who provide en route pilot briefings and other services such as search and rescue, NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen), ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) information, low level windshear advisories, and other aviation weather conditions.

The Automated Flight Service Station services are available to all pilots regardless of their profession or experience. Pilots are encouraged to call the AFSS for flight planning, updated weather information, filing flight plans and listening to notices to airmen in order to ensure safe flights.

AFSS provides many services including but not limited to preflight briefings; en route radio communication with pilots; filing, amending and cancelling flight plans; disseminating aeronautical information bulletins such as NOTAMs; relay of messages; issuing pilot reports; providing airport advisories; assisting in search and rescue operations; providing current weather observations from ASOS Stations; transmitting low-level windshear advisories for airports within their area of coverage; recording any hazardous aircraft conditions reported by pilots.

Yes - When accessing an AFSS by phone, first obtain the local AFSS identifier from either ATIS (Automatic Terminal Information Service) broadcasts at airports or from FAA publications such as AIRMAN'S INFORMATION MANUAL (AIM). Pilots should state their call sign three times before any message is exchanged with the briefer in order for the briefer to properly identify them. In addition, when ending a conversation with an AFSS operator, include your call sign twice at conclusion of conversation

Yes - An Automated Flight Service Station can alert pilots when they approach areas where natural hazards exist such as thunderstorms or active volcanoes. This helps keep pilots aware of potential safety risks and allow them to plan accordingly.

Generally it is recommended that contact is made with local AFSS before flight departure and then periodically throughout the duration of flight whenever necessary. This ensures that up-to-date weather and other pertinent aeronautical information concerning active airspace restrictions are known prior to takeoff.

In case of emergency situation occurring during a flight, contact your nearest Automatic Flight Services station immediately so that you may get help promptly from highly trained personnel who understand what needs to be done in difficult times like these. They will also have access to better resources than you may have on board your aircraft if required.

All transmissions made on a frequency assigned by ATC should be made on that same frequency which was assigned by ATC. Irrespective if it is VHF or UHF frequency being used for transmissions one must always monitor both Frequencies so as not miss vital instructions issued by ATC especially if instructions are issued on separate frequencies than one used initially hence monitoring both VHF/UHF frequencies helps reduce risk associated due unplanned circumstances such as channel congestion resulting in communication not being established/received by intended recipient hence maintaining situational awareness well within boundaries set forth via certain regulations amongst other measures.