FIR SERVICE INTERRUPTION
 

When the 24 hour cover of the FIR (Properly FIS - Flight Information Service) is closed at Swanwick, due to the FISO staff being re-deployed to sectors to cover for the continuing lack of ATSAs, the sectors themselves become the de-facto provider of FIS. Pilots requiring this service may (and should be encouraged to) ask on the relevant London sector frequencies for a Flight Information Service to be provided. It should be noted that the service has been withdrawn several times since Swanwick opened, often with little or no notice given. This is as frustrating for the staff as it is for aircrews and PPLs etc.

This is really bad news is it being properly notamed??.The FIR frequencies can be very useful, though much misused by some unaware of what can and cannot be realisticly provided by the service

[Silly] Question.. .GABCD files from EGxx to LFxx. That is a, an "International" flight, and b, us being an island, it's an "overwater" flight as well.. .I at EGZZ file said FPL, and send the required Departure message. . .Does it do any good?. .This IS a serious question. I KNOW that the Destination Airfield gets ALL the Gen, but what does the FIR do with the info?. .we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

<img src="mad.gif" border="0"> Added to which, the air pilot says that pilots wishing to obtain an airways joining or crossing clearance should make the request via the FIR frequency notthe sector frequency. . .So what do the wan**rs in NATS management expect pilots to do? <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="mad.gif" border="0">

chiglet. .. .The FIR/FIS do nothing with your (VFR) FPL. They only operate an FIS for a/c that call them. The FIS do not, and have never (in my 30+ years, used VFR FPL info.. .The only time VFR FPL's are looked at is when the a/c goes overdue, reported by destination.. .The FIS is an information service, you ask, you get. It does not have fancy stuff like radar.. .Cheers