AFSS Refresher

Captain

Captain

Final Approach
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Mar 12, 2012
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First Officer
Okay, I've had this confusion for awhile now. I used to know it but then a decade went by without using it...


What is the relationship between Flight Watch and Radio. Who's listed on the VOR on sectionals? 122.0 is the low altitude freq right? I have the high altitude freqs listed on my flight plan and use them occasionally for Wx updates but always screw up the call sign (radio or flight watch, can never remember).

I do remember one is good for filing a flight plan in the air and the other is good for getting updated weather products, but I get them backwards.

So, I'm just going to man up and admit there's something out there I should know but don't. Thanks in advance.
 
Flight Watch (122.0) is the AFSS service concerned with weather, and only with weather. Call them to file a pirep or ask a weather question.

Radio (122.1, 122.2, or as published), is the "full service" frequency. Call them to file, open, close, or amend a flight plan, to get NOTAMs, or file a position report.
 
JUst to embellish Tim's reply a little, Flight Watch is a dedicated position. That is, every specialist EXCEPT the one at the FW position can call up a flight plan template on their screen and take a flight plan. The FW person deals with weather exclusively.
 
scottd said:
...or for full route briefings. Just to add, Enroute Flight Advisory Service (EFAS) (aka Flight Watch) is for current weather or weather updates, not to do a briefing for your return flight in a few hours.

For the OP, you may want to read this article that I wrote for Twin & Turbine magazine.
Click to expand...

I'm obviously living in the past with regard to FW. Good article.

Bob
 
Except when you call "fss radio" and cannot get them so you call "___ flightwatch" to file and they take it, explaining 'something wrong with the other frequency' (ya, like they turned the volume knob Off!)
(Every time I have tried recently; I think they are about to do away with the separation).
 
TMetzinger said:
Flight Watch (122.0) is the AFSS service concerned with weather, and only with weather. Call them to file a pirep or ask a weather question.
Click to expand...

Yes and they can be very helpful on other questions...
 
Note that FlightWatch's receivers are spaced such that you can only reliably hit them at higher altitudes.
 
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