FSS, again

I made a 400+ NM trip from kgyy to Grand Rapids, MN over the weekend
and experimented with duats and FSS. In both cases, the IFR flight
plan was there when I needed it.

I use Duats in conjunction with Jepp's FlightStar planner. It has a
wonderful ability to overlay the flight plan with weather data
downloaded. The problem is that you need a computer along, so because
of logistics I typically have to do it the night before and hope
nothing has changed. So an "A" on info, and maybe a "D" on
timeliness.

Returning, I had no computer access. The TV forecast was for Tstorms
so I called FSS to get the storm prognosis and plan a route for best
winds. I had the day before used ADDS to get an upper wind picture
and it showed best winds with an easterly route at first, then turning
south on V7 once I got to Green Bay. All I wanted from FSS was
confirmation that the pattern was still valid. All the briefer seemed
able to do was to read winds aloft at Joliet, Marquette, MI, etc. none
of which was close to my course. He also seemed unable to estimate
when the approaching line of Tstorms was expected to hit Grand Rapids
(meanwhile I'm watching the Weather Channel and estimating 30
minutes). He did file my flight plan for me based on the ADDS info I
had from the day before. D on timeliness, D on accuracy.

OK, drive to the airport, turn in the crew car, clouds thickening to
the west, a few drops of rain starting to fall. Fire up the IO360,
turn on the avionics... My PDA with XM weather shows a broad area of
rain showers, some yellow and red, approaching the airport. The
Stormscope shows lightning within 25 miles, but scattered strikes.

So we took off to the east, called ATC to pick up the flight plan,
maneuvered around rain cells using XM and stormscope, eventually flew
into the clear. We watched a big rain cell with lightning hovering
near Oshkosh but were comforted that it didn't move much. We checked
METARS on the PDA along the course ahead and they were uniformly good
so we were able to enjoy the rest of the trip.

I'm really beginning to wonder if FSS, particularly in its current
Lockheed form, has any useful service to provide anymore, though
admittedly, there is substantial cost to get the onboard avionics.
But I really think it's worth the money in providing better info than
you can get anywhere else in real time.