AIM

8/15/19

4

−

1

−

8

Services Available to Pilots

EXAMPLE

−

“Information Sierra received.”

e.

When a pilot acknowledges receipt of the ATIS

broadcast, controllers may omit those items con-
tained in the broadcast if they are current. Rapidly
changing conditions will be issued by ATC and the
ATIS will contain words as follows:

EXAMPLE

−

“Latest ceiling/visibility/altimeter/wind/(other condi-
tions) will be issued by approach control/tower.”

NOTE

−

The absence of a sky condition or ceiling and/or visibility
on ATIS indicates a sky condition or ceiling of 5,000 feet or
above and visibility of 5 miles or more. A remark may be
made on the broadcast, “the weather is better than
5000 and 5,” or the existing weather may be broadcast.

f.

Controllers will issue pertinent information to

pilots who do not acknowledge receipt of a broadcast
or who acknowledge receipt of a broadcast which is
not current.

g.

To serve frequency limited aircraft, FSSs are

equipped to transmit on the omnirange frequency at
most en route VORs used as ATIS voice outlets. Such
communication interrupts the ATIS broadcast. Pilots
of aircraft equipped to receive on other FSS
frequencies are encouraged to do so in order that these
override transmissions may be kept to an absolute
minimum.

h.

While it is a good operating practice for pilots

to make use of the ATIS broadcast where it is
available, some pilots use the phrase “have numbers”
in communications with the control tower. Use of this
phrase means that the pilot has received wind,
runway, and altimeter information ONLY and the
tower does not have to repeat this information. It does
not indicate receipt of the ATIS broadcast and should
never be used for this purpose.

4

−

1

−

14. Automatic Flight Information

Service (AFIS) 

−

 Alaska FSSs Only

a.

AFIS is the continuous broadcast of recorded

non

−

control information at airports in Alaska where

an FSS provides local airport advisory service. Its
purpose is to improve FSS specialist efficiency by
reducing frequency congestion on the local airport
advisory frequency.

1.

The AFIS broadcast will automate the

repetitive transmission of essential but routine
information (for example, weather, favored runway,

braking action, airport NOTAMs, etc.). The informa-
tion is continuously broadcast over a discrete VHF
radio frequency (usually the ASOS frequency).

2.

Use of AFIS is not mandatory, but pilots who

choose to utilize two

−

way radio communications

with the FSS are urged to listen to AFIS, as it relieves
frequency congestion on the local airport advisory
frequency. AFIS broadcasts are updated upon receipt
of any official hourly and special weather, and
changes in other pertinent data.

3.

When a pilot acknowledges receipt of the

AFIS broadcast, FSS specialists may omit those
items contained in the broadcast if they are current.
When rapidly changing conditions exist, the latest
ceiling, visibility, altimeter, wind or other conditions
may be omitted from the AFIS and will be issued by
the FSS specialist on the appropriate radio frequency.

EXAMPLE

−

“Kotzebue information ALPHA. One six five five zulu.
Wind, two one zero at five; visibility two, fog; ceiling one
hundred overcast; temperature minus one two, dew point
minus one four; altimeter three one zero five. Altimeter in
excess of three one zero zero, high pressure altimeter
setting procedures are in effect. Favored runway two six.
Weather in Kotzebue surface area is below V

−

F

−

R

minima

−

 an ATC clearance is required. Contact

Kotzebue Radio on 123.6 for traffic advisories and advise
intentions. Notice to Airmen, Hotham NDB out of service.
Transcribed Weather Broadcast out of service. Advise on
initial contact you have ALPHA.”

NOTE

−

The absence of a sky condition or ceiling and/or visibility
on Alaska FSS AFIS indicates a sky condition or ceiling of
5,000 feet or above and visibility of 5 miles or more. A
remark may be made on the broadcast, “the weather is
better than 5000 and 5.”

b.

Pilots should listen to Alaska FSSs AFIS

broadcasts whenever Alaska FSSs AFIS is in
operation.

NOTE

−

Some Alaska FSSs are open part time and/or seasonally.

c.

Pilots should notify controllers on initial

contact that they have received the Alaska FSSs
AFIS broadcast by repeating the phonetic alphabetic
letter appended to the broadcast.

EXAMPLE

−

“Information Alpha received.”

d.

While it is a good operating practice for pilots

to make use of the Alaska FSS AFIS broadcast where
it is available, some pilots use the phrase “have