How To Contact Flight Service In The Air

Communicating with FSS

Source: www.pilotworkshop.com/tips/comm-fss, Featuring John Krug

Subscriber question:

"I notice it confusing to communicate with Flying Service Stations while in-flight. Sometimes you can transmit and receive over the aforementioned frequency, while other times you need to transmit over one frequency and receive over a VOR. A review would exist helpful." - Kevin Westward.

John:

"Ordinarily you would communicate with FSS through the frequencies shown on the sectional chart. The FSS frequencies are listed in a box above certain VOR stations.
At times because of the aircraft altitude or distance from the station, you may non be able to receive and transmit on the same frequency.

Communicating with FSS

To increase reception range, some Flight Service Stations are also able to transmit over VORs and other Navaids. The note R shown after the frequency indicates Receive capability i.e. 122.1R. This means that the FSS tin can receive on 122.1 and transmit over the VOR frequency.

You lot demand to configure your aircraft radio and sound panel properly to utilize this feature. First, tune your Com radio to 122.i. Then tune the Nav radio to the VOR you wish to use. Select both the Nav and the Com audio through your audio panel. You may accept to select Voice on your Nav radio.

On your initial call to the FSS brand sure you state the frequencies that you are transmitting and receiving on. The FSS specialist may be monitoring multiple frequencies.

For example, you would call Bangor Radio, Cessna One Ii Three Alpha, transmitting 122.1, listening Augusta VOR, over."

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