scottd
Pre-takeoff checklist
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Lockheed Martin continues...for another three years...
- Thread starter scottd
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ScottM
Taxi to Parking
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iBazinga!
Really. I had no idea that FSS even existed anymore.
Areeda
Pattern Altitude
I have to say, after some start-up issues, I have been pretty satisfied with LM service. Perhaps it's because so many pilots got frustrated and never came back but response time and quality of information has been very good lately.
+1 - my experiences have been uniformly good.
TMetzinger
Final Approach
After the initial headaches (which for which the FAA and LM get equal blame - it's hard to do good work when the contract is awful) I've had good experiences. The "new" project managers that both sides brought in deserve a lot of the credit for the turnaround.
flyersfan31
Touchdown! Greaser!
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Freiburgfan31
Other than in Alaska 2 yrs ago, I've had no dealings with an FSS in, well, maybe 3 yrs.
DUATS and AWC do the trick for me, with FAA TFR website and the DOD notam site pitching to help on some briefings.
I just don't get the value added from having a dude/ette read to me what I can see and read for myself.
DUATS and AWC do the trick for me, with FAA TFR website and the DOD notam site pitching to help on some briefings.
I just don't get the value added from having a dude/ette read to me what I can see and read for myself.
ScottM
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iBazinga!
So after 5 years we are basically back to the service we had?
I'll bet LockMart managers paid themselves big bonus for that zero improvement plan.
azure
Final Approach
I call for a briefing now and then when I don't have the time to step into the terminal, or when I'm returning from a day trip. They still don't score too well on local weather knowledge, but yes, I agree that overall the service has improved over the last year or so. Not that it could have gotten a lot worse, of course...
gprellwitz
Touchdown! Greaser!
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Grant Prellwitz
The overall service has definitely improved. However, some of the nice things that I remember being promised in the early stages have never materialized. Remember the idea of being able to see the graphics onscreen as the FSS specialist is reviewing them? OTOH, it is possible to get a profile stored in the database that will automatically come up when they see you calling from your registered phone number.
Jay Honeck
Touchdown! Greaser!
We call FSS before nearly every flight, simply because we're surrounded by lots of military airspace, and you never know where Obama's going to pop up next.
I have to say that (after a difficult start, back in '05) we are now 100% satisfied with their service. They answer nearly immediately. Unlike the "good old days", the disinterested guy with the monotone voice has been replaced by a surprisingly bright, upbeat and engaging person who displays a refreshing interest in the successful completion of your flight.
Not surprising, since L-M gave preferential hiring to Private Pilots, under the (correct) assumption that "it takes one to know one". Smart.
If anything, they are too thorough. I've often had to cut the briefer short, as he/she waxed poetic about the "unlit tower 12 n.m. from the Morgan VOR on the 243 radial" -- information that only the most anal of avgeeks would give a rat's patootie about on a VFR flight. But I'm always glad they're willing to share every, last detail with me, if needed.
It has once again been proven that the private sector can do things better/faster/cheaper than government. No surprise there, but we apparently have to relearn this from time to time. So long as this wasn't a precursor to "user's fee" (which, I'm afraid it was), privatization of FSS has been a true enhancing of services to pilots.
I have to say that (after a difficult start, back in '05) we are now 100% satisfied with their service. They answer nearly immediately. Unlike the "good old days", the disinterested guy with the monotone voice has been replaced by a surprisingly bright, upbeat and engaging person who displays a refreshing interest in the successful completion of your flight.
Not surprising, since L-M gave preferential hiring to Private Pilots, under the (correct) assumption that "it takes one to know one". Smart.
If anything, they are too thorough. I've often had to cut the briefer short, as he/she waxed poetic about the "unlit tower 12 n.m. from the Morgan VOR on the 243 radial" -- information that only the most anal of avgeeks would give a rat's patootie about on a VFR flight. But I'm always glad they're willing to share every, last detail with me, if needed.
It has once again been proven that the private sector can do things better/faster/cheaper than government. No surprise there, but we apparently have to relearn this from time to time. So long as this wasn't a precursor to "user's fee" (which, I'm afraid it was), privatization of FSS has been a true enhancing of services to pilots.
TMetzinger
Final Approach
Hmm, maybe we can put you and Scott in the same room and see if the mutual annihalation destroys the universe.B)
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Tristar
Pattern Altitude
Each of my students learn how to talk to FSS and although I will agree they had a rocky start, I have few complaints. The only ones I can come up with is the automated system thinks we're in Alaska instead of Nebraska 
and the old FSS crew knew the local area and gave local tips which I found helpfull. Other than that, the information and quality has been the same.
One thing I don't get is why would they tell you about every tower that is 200 AGL with a light out? If I'm flying at 200 ft that far from the airport at night, I have bigger problems!
and the old FSS crew knew the local area and gave local tips which I found helpfull. Other than that, the information and quality has been the same. One thing I don't get is why would they tell you about every tower that is 200 AGL with a light out? If I'm flying at 200 ft that far from the airport at night, I have bigger problems!
roncachamp
Final Approach
Who should decide which NOTAMs are pertinent to a flight? FSS or the pilot?
azure
Final Approach
They usually ask me whether I want the unlit towers. I tell them to read me only the ones that are over 500 AGL or within 2 miles of the field. When the tower coordinates are relative to the field I'm departing from or landing at that's easy, sometimes they're relative to another airport and then we go back and forth. But giving guidelines streamlines the list a fair amount.
NC Pilot
Cleared for Takeoff
As mentioned the first few months was a trifle rocky, but I am very pleased with LM service since.
I still use Duats and Jeppesen Internet Flight Planner as planning tools, but my flight plan has been lost far too often to trust them and usually file through FSS.
I like the changes and now consider the service better than when run by the FAA.
I still use Duats and Jeppesen Internet Flight Planner as planning tools, but my flight plan has been lost far too often to trust them and usually file through FSS.
I like the changes and now consider the service better than when run by the FAA.
Gary
En-Route
In the dozen or so times I've used them this year, the briefers were all prompt, knowledgeable and pleasant. No complaints.
Gary
Gary
Jay Honeck
Touchdown! Greaser!
You Trekker, you! :wink2:
How surprising. Now that all of the infrastructure goes through Lockheed-Martin they get the next contract run. Really? 
Jay Honeck
Touchdown! Greaser!
How surprising. Now that all of the infrastructure goes through Lockheed-Martin they get the next contract run. Really?
Therein lies the rub, eh? Although the private sector is inherently more efficient than government, this phenomenon relies on competition. Remove competition, and the private sector becomes...the government. Bloated, lazy, expensive and slow.
In the future, if no one steps up to compete with L-M for this contract, it will only be a matter of time before FSS becomes just like the bad old days.
steingar
Taxi to Parking
Leave it to Jay to turn an innocent thread about Lockheed's new contract into a political rant.
I call before every flight, I don't have a computer at the hangar. I still encounter delays, sometimes long ones. I miss the weather knowledge of the old briefers. The new guys just read crap off a screen. If it wasn't for the regulatory requirements I wouldn't bother, but they're there so I do.
I call before every flight, I don't have a computer at the hangar. I still encounter delays, sometimes long ones. I miss the weather knowledge of the old briefers. The new guys just read crap off a screen. If it wasn't for the regulatory requirements I wouldn't bother, but they're there so I do.