We still need FSS

On Thu, 02 Aug 2007 20:05:59 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote in .com:

it *is* refreshing that Lock/Mart is hiring only Private
Pilots (or better) to be briefers.

Where did you hear that?

Cherokee Pilots Association talk, put on by Lock/Mart at the 2006 fly-
in.

Pretty close, but being an airman is not actually a requirement for
becoming a flight service specialist:

http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a pilot
is preferred, but is not necessary.

http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a pilot
is preferred, but is not necessary.

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO. How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

Too many times, around here.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:35:59 -0700, Jay Honeck wrote:

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high quality
FSS crew, IMHO. How many times in the past did you talk to a monotone
'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about) actually
performing the flight he was briefing?

Most briefings I've done over the years have been pro-forma. Recently,
for example, it's often a CYA exercise more than anything else.

However, the occasion time I needed to really speak to someone about the
weather I was more than satisfied by the briefers to whom I spoke. I
still recall one chat about "local conditions" in an area unfamiliar to me
that was incredibly helpful and educational. This was all before the
corporate takeover.

Will it be better with all the briefers as pilots or close? Hard to
imagine *better*, but it's not a bad idea. On the other hand, I hope they
accept meteorologic "credits" too.

- Andrew

On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:35:59 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote in .com:

http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a pilot
is preferred, but is not necessary.

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO.

I applaud LockMart's aviation experience requirement for flight
service specialists, but you must remember that a significant number
of experienced personnel, familiar with local meteorological
phenomena, have been replaced by raw recruits. It will be a long time
(if ever) before they acquire the expertise of the old hands who
formerly manned the briefing lines.

How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

Never.

Too many times, around here.

That's remarkable.

How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

Never.

Really? That's remarkable.

Too many times, around here.

That's remarkable.

In my experience, I'd say about one in five calls to FSS resulted in a
monotone briefing from a dead fish. (Of course, at least they
answered the phone!)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On Fri, 03 Aug 2007 12:37:20 -0700, Jay Honeck
wrote:

In my experience, I'd say about one in five calls to FSS resulted in a
monotone briefing from a dead fish.

I agree. Since I'm a DUATS / ADDS guy, I only place a voice call
about one in five flights, but my experience is similar.

Jay Honeck wrote:
http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a pilot
is preferred, but is not necessary.

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO. How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

I don't think it matters. With the consolidation of FSS stations, the
concept mentioned at the outset of this thread about having "local
knowledge" is simply not going to happen in the future. I haven't
called a flight service station since I can't remember when. The only
reason I've called them in the last 10 years was to get a void time
clearance. Give me a line to Center and I won't even need FSS for that.

FSS is an anachronism and needs to just be shut down and the money
better spent elsewhere, IMO.

Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:
Jay Honeck wrote:
http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a
pilot is preferred, but is not necessary.

This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO. How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?

I don't think it matters. With the consolidation of FSS stations, the
concept mentioned at the outset of this thread about having "local
knowledge" is simply not going to happen in the future. I haven't
called a flight service station since I can't remember when. The only
reason I've called them in the last 10 years was to get a void time
clearance. Give me a line to Center and I won't even need FSS for
that.
FSS is an anachronism and needs to just be shut down and the money
better spent elsewhere, IMO.

Matt

Plus it is the one place that the airlines are correct in saying it is a
service that only GA uses. And they only need a small crack to stick there
foot in.

Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
Matt Whiting wrote:
Jay Honeck wrote:
http://www.afss.com/field/?sp=20070306
Newly hired flight service specialists are required to have an
aviation-related degree and/or aviation experience. Being a
pilot is preferred, but is not necessary.
This is a good thing that will (eventually) result in a VERY high
quality FSS crew, IMHO. How many times in the past did you talk to a
monotone 'crat without the slightest knowledge of (or care about)
actually performing the flight he was briefing?
I don't think it matters. With the consolidation of FSS stations, the
concept mentioned at the outset of this thread about having "local
knowledge" is simply not going to happen in the future. I haven't
called a flight service station since I can't remember when. The only
reason I've called them in the last 10 years was to get a void time
clearance. Give me a line to Center and I won't even need FSS for
that.
FSS is an anachronism and needs to just be shut down and the money
better spent elsewhere, IMO.

Matt

Plus it is the one place that the airlines are correct in saying it is a
service that only GA uses. And they only need a small crack to stick there
foot in.

Yes, good point, I wasn't even thinking of that.

FSS was a great service in the pre-internet age and served well, but all
things come to an end at some point.

Matt