FS21FC

Friday, December 7, 2007

Same old....Same old.....

Sorry I have been away so long. Just nothing 'new' to post. LM and the NEW FS-21 system continues to trodden on with crashes, work arounds and back-up systems up the ying-yang. Word has it, one FSS company is talking with another provider who used to provide weather graphics to the OLD (but stable) FSS. Pretty soon, the new FS21 system will look like the package offered by the in house Flight Service MEO (Most Efficient Organization). If I hired a company to perform a service, and after 2 years they were still going through 'growing pains', they would be canned. With the exception of a few pro-privatization pilots and LM Management themselves, there is no one offering kudos on this takeover to anyone. Its a royal mess.

AOPA still remains silent.......hmmmmm.....interesting.
Perhaps someone was slapped down.

Word of caution.
Ensure you pilots get up to date NOTAMs, there have been some incidents where pilots haven't been given runway closures due to snow plowing, etc. If you have to, have the briefer contact the airport manager or field maintenance directly. With the convoluted process now in place, something is bound to be missed or arrive to late to tell you. Once airborne, before making the approach to a non towered airport, contact the FSS who has responsibility for your destination.

The approach control or Center Controller may not have the latest info.

Tis the season.

Have a Merry Christmas.

FromAway

Monday, October 8, 2007

AOPA…your silence is DEAFINING!!!

It has been nearly a month since AOPA has posted an update on their web page ‘dedicated’ to watching over Lockheed Martin Flight Service. Interesting. It started out with daily updates, then every other day, then weekly, and so on and so forth. I wonder if LM told AOPA to “KOOL”it ….KOOL as in the popular drink Kool-Aid™ ??

Cruising the web I noticed that on the LM pilot portal site, they removed the pilot complaints graphic. Hmmm, I wonder why they did that. Maybe there are no more complaints. Maybe LM weathered the storm, so to speak. Maybe they need to increase the Y component. Last month they expanded the ‘amount’ side of the graph so at a glance, it looked like the complaints were way down, but looking closely, they took the graph and changed it from, I believe 20 to 80. To a child of 6 it looks like they are vastly improving. Too bad we are a bit older.

There is a biased pod cast put out from the AOPA EXPO 2007 which was held in Hartford this time. Complete with the spin doctor from LM himself spinning away, but hey AOPA, are you going to interview the new Union representative president when they get voted in to LM FSS? You want the truth for your AOPA members, get the other side. Sheesh! Oh yea, one more thing….what’s wrong with Hartford?!?☺‼

FromAway

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

HALF truths will get you HALF lies...or...

....what goes around, comes around.

In the following article,
http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3077467

Mr. Losey contacted some 'official ' sources for confirmation. Unfortunately, but as usual, the "spin doctors" provided half truths. Mr. Courain from Lockheed Martin states...

“Enough people elected not to [relocate to a hub], so people could move if they wanted to,” said Dan Courain, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of aviation services".

What isn't stated is that LM changed the rules mid stream. Initially, the only thing required by folks who wanted a HUB position was to fax their information in to LM central, (you know, part of the "everyone will be offered a job speech" ) with their location requests, in ranking order, the options were; Prescott, Leesburg or Forth Worth. Then, a few days later LM said it was on a first come, first served basis. Say what? Well, I for one tried 3 times to pick up a hub position. I had no intention of actually going, but it would have bought some time while I searched for a federal position.

Apparently, others had the same plan because when it came down to crunch time, and they were coming up short of warm bodies, they started offering little incentives. The last I heard, they were hiring ex-fss retirees, some of which have been retired for over 10 years. Say What? Some retired on medicals, meaning they were no longer capable of doing the FAA job under their current medical condition. Isn't that comforting...Now its on a "self report" scenario. No longer does one need an ATC medical for the job. Gee, I wonder how much THAT saved on the contract.

Anyway, my thanks to the folks who tried to set the truth free by rebutting this pack of lies....er....half truths.

http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3039408

If your interested in seeing some of what really went on, check out this article. It leaves out some important items, but you should get the gist.

http://www.federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3077467

Federaltimes should confirm the facts in articles submitted by "government officials" or "former Gov officials" the same way they cross-check everyone elses.

TNT,
FromAway

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Start selling your stock...Ma Blakey is heading to town...!

Lets see how long it takes for AIA to have "serious" troubles.....

From EarthTimes.org ....

http://tinyurl.com/33adl4

Reading some of the Associations principals......looks like someone is gonna have a lot of learnin to behad.....

http://www.aia-aerospace.org/about/mission.cfm

Our Guiding Principles
The Aerospace Industries Association of America, Inc. will:

Adhere to the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Commit to seeking consensus positions on all issues of importance to our entire membership while maintaining free and open discussion and ensuring all views are heard.
Communicate to all audiences openly, clearly, promptly, and honestly.
Meet the challenges of a global aerospace, defense, and homeland security industry.
Enhance and promote flight safety and security as the foundation for maintaining the public’s trust in the aviation system.
Develop and maintain partnerships and coalitions with government and national and global stakeholders who share our goals to identify solutions, achieve change, and maximize efficient use of resources.
Maintain excellence through leadership and the quality of our actions, services, relationships, and knowledge of the issues.
Ensure an equal opportunity environment and value the strength diversity brings to our workforce.
Serve the entire membership according to the association bylaws and the direction of the Board of Governors.
Encourage industry programs that are designed to reduce environmental impacts and enhance worker health.

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING...........

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Random sampling 'round the web'....

Lockheed Says AFSS Transition Went Smoothly

Parsons Project of the Month—Automated Flight Services Station (AFSS)

Systems Atlanta-FS21

Lockheed Penalized For FSS Missteps

Lockheed Martin Wants More FSS Money - California Pilots Association

Follow The Money, Part Two

AOPA Says Pilots Remain Frustrated With FSS Network

The Southern Aviator

DOT Says Short Transition Timeline For FSS Could Affect Savings

AOPA Takes FSS Complaints Straight To DOT Inspector General

More Fan Mail For Phil

Egg on my face http://www.aopa.org/prez/prespos/2007/pp0707.html

FAA Funding Debate Funding Feedback

Work for Lockheed Martin? Better have a LOT of insurance

AVmail: Jul. 23, 2007

FAA Launches FSS Comment Line, Thanks to AOPA

AOPA Endorses House FAA Funding Bill

.:: Aero-News Network: The Aviation and Aerospace World's Daily ...

Pilots Remain Frustrated With FSS System.

Wings Forum :: View topic - Flight Service Station (FSS ...

HAI Website > Home ::

For the conspiracy buffs....

A Red is a Red is a Red

The Big Picture Behind Red-Light Cameras - Ticket Cameras (Red ...

Sounds like a real smooth transition.

Friday, July 27, 2007

The New FSS "End State" !

FSS Realigned Services

This is the list of services that were to be realigned or discontinued when AFSS was A-76'd. It was developed on a national basis by FSS specialists (mostly management) early on in the demise of FSS.It may have morphed over the last two years, since I do not work for LM ( didn't board that ship ) I don't know what the final list looks like. On the local basis, FSS had local duties they performed that were developed over the decades that do not appear on this list. All lost forever. Look at this list.

Equal or Better service?????

I THINK NOT.

Service Category		Activity	Action	Comment

In Flight Services	1	Provide services for Dakota Joint Tactical Training Area	Realign	Proposed- Services shall not exceed 7110.10 services
In Flight Services	2	Continuously monitor NAS equipment for outage (e.g., frequencies, NAVAIDS)	Realign to ATO-W[1]	Being worked by ATO-W
Broadcast Services	3	Provide Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEB)	Discontinue[2]	Only at PNM AFSS, little impact.
Emergency Services	4	Utilize AFSS authority to close airport	Discontinue	Legal Constraint
Flight Data Services	5	Coordinate and distribute law enforcement/stolen aircraft alert messages to state/county/local law enforcement	Discontinue	There is no requirement for notification of state/county/local law enforcement
Search and Rescue Services	6	Back-up Service B for AFRCC	Realign to DOD	Being worked by DOD, ATO-D funded upgrade to AIS-R
NOTAMs	7	Develop, ensure accuracy and coordinate NOTAMs with OCC for NAS outages	Realign to ATO-W	Will move to office that monitors the NAS Components
NOTAMs	8	Serve as FAA Coordination Facility as specified in FDC Flight Restriction NOTAMS.	Realign to ATO-R, ATO-E, ATO-T	More appropriate in ARTCC
Weather Observations	9	Observe, encode and disseminate weather observations	Realign to ATO-T	5 CWOs, 11 LAWRS, 8 stand-alone ASOS
	10	Provide back-up to NWS for contract weather observers/Air traffic facilities	Discontinue	Not a function of AFSS
	11	Provide NWS additional meteorological data (rain, snow, etc)	Discontinue	Not a function of AFSS (NWS id working this with ATO-T
	12	Respond to requests for historical weather data	Discontinue	Not a function of AFSS
	13	Coordinate with National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) for archiving and retrieval of historic weather data	Discontinue	Not a function of AFSS
FAA Weather Services	14	Coordination of location/installation new Automated weather observation sites	Realign to ATO-W	Responsibility of ATO-R
Supervision of Operations	15	Support FEMA activities regarding Natural Disaster Relief	Realign to Headquarters	Not a responsibility of AFSS
Equipment Monitoring	16	Monitor NAVAIDs and Notify and coordinate outages with concerned parties	Realign to ATO-W	Being worked by ATO-W (OCC)
	17	Coordinate scheduled NAS/equipment shutdown request	Realign to ATO-W	Being worked by ATO-W (OCC)
	18	Monitor NWS equipment or observe malfunction and report to NWS maintenance	Discontinue	We will not have NWS equipment
International Operations	19	Interface with foreign countries	Realign to Headquarters	Responsibility of ATO-D Ops Support
	20	Accept, create, format, issue and disseminate international NOTAMs, as well as notify US NOTAM Office	Realign to US Notam Office ATO-R	Move to the NOTAM Office
	21	Coordinate with NOTAM office to issue international NOTAM on US NAVAIDS in a foreign country	Realign to US Notam Office ATO-R	This is a function of ATO-W (OCC)
	22	Coordinate ICAO flight information with the military	Discontinue	Existing FAA Activity
	23	Provide Service B Guard services to US military facilities in foreign locations (as necessary) (e.g. Diego Garcia)	Discontinue	DOD will be establishing internal service B guard utilizing AIS-R
Transborder Operations (Mexico and Canada)	24	Support aircraft within Mexican/Canadian borders	Discontinue	Legal Constraint, Will need to issue guidance to pilots requiring them to use Canada's system
	25	Maintain NOTAM accountability at Saint Jean (YJN)	Discontinue	Needs further study as to how this will be discontinues and proper communication maintained with BOS and BTV (safety)
	26	Accept, validate, format and process Canada to Canada Flight proposals	Discontinue	Will need to issue guidance to pilots requiring them to use Canada's system in this situation
National Security	27	Provide facility and logistical support for command post activities	Realign to other FAA facilities	Other government entities can serve this need
	28	Coordinate requests for protected airspace by public safety or military officials	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	More appropriate in ARTCC or ATCT
	29	Disseminate DOD MANPAD activity/information to air traffic facilities	Realign to ATO-R	DOD will need to coordinate through ATO-R
	30	Coordinate all FDC 91.141 Presidential/VIP movement messages with ARTCC and affected Terminal facilities and outside interests	Realign	NOTAM Office will coordinate directly to affected facilities.
	31	Provide "Situation Room" in order to maintain open line communication channel for coordination of national security and civil unrest or disturbance issues (e.g. Situation Room)	Realign	Office requesting this will need to find alternate resource.
	32	Flight planning and coordination for Open Skies Program	Realign	Function of ATO-R, AFSS will not be involved in this program
	33	Coordinate information and movement messages associated with political dissident groups (BTTR, Democracia) with multiple government entities	Realign to ATO-R	This will require coordination with several internal and external government agencies.
Enhanced Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) Coordination	34	Develop local procedures for current and future ADIZ's	Realign to Headquarters	Function of ATO-R, ATO-D and offices of security. These procedures will not be developed at the local level.

On Request Services	35	Provide aircraft and pilot registration information to external and internal customers	Realign to FSDO	Function of FSDO
	36	Provide Civil Twilight information	Discontinue	Discontinue for non aviation requests
	37	Provide seasonal time change information	Discontinue	Discontinue for non aviation requests
	38	Provide information from aviation publications	Discontinue	Discontinue for non aviation requests
	39	Provide NWS contact information for historical and climatic requests	Discontinue	Not an AFSS function
	40	Provide information on downed aircraft	Discontinue	Legal Constraint, Function of other offices (Public Relations)
	41	Provide information on local aviation operations/events	Realign to FSDO	Function will be provided by other offices. (FSDO)
	42	Provide aircraft status/progress reports	Discontinue???	Legal Constraint. Need further study. (flight schools?)
	43	Coordinate retrieval of weather balloon sensor packages by NWS	Realign to NWS	Other government agency responsibility
	44	Provide government and aviation directory assistance	Discontinue	Existing FAA Activity. Not a function of AFSS
	45	Provide resource library for pilots and general public	Discontinue	Not an AFSS function
	46	Provide density altitude information to local airports	Discontinue	Not an AFSS requirement but needs further study as to how airports can obtain this info.
Back Up: Towers/Approach Controls	47	Assume general responsibility for airspace	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	Airspce will be the responsibility of the serving tower or center
	48	Provide tower evacuation information	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	NOTAM will be issued, otherwise not a function of the AFSS
	49	Control lighting and NAVAIDS	Realign to Arpt Mngmnt	We will need to return this responsibility back to airport management
	50	Provide back up transmit/receive	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	Need further clarification.
Back Up: ROC	51	Back up for ROC	Realign to RO	ROC's will back up each other
Education & Outreach	52	Disseminate regulatory forms to pilots	Realign to FSDO	Function of Flight Standards
	53	Provide aviation education counselors as well as mentors Student pilots	Realign to FSDO	Function of Flight Standards
	54	Write and submit articles to aviation publications	Discontinue	Not a requirement for AFSS
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Support	55	Liaison with local law enforcement regarding facility/airport security	Realign to FAA Security	LM will establish their own connections with local law enforcement.
Law Enforcement and Public Safety Support	56	Participate in Airport/TSA security evaluations	Realign to TSA	Not a function of AFSS
Flight Services (Alaska)	57	Provide staffing for part-time facilities	None	NA
Facility Operation and Administration	58	Receive and process Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests	Realign to Headquarters	Needs further study
	59	Support/develop airspace/procedures initiatives	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	Not a function of AFSS. If AFSS is involved it will be at the national level
	60	Provide Airport Security	Realign to Arpt Mngmnt	Function of the airport Manager's office.
	61	Compile and distribute Interruption of National Air Traffic Services (INATS)/significant outage report	Realign to ATO-T & ATO-E	Will not be a requirement of Lockheed Martin
	62	FAA information dissemination	Realign To ATO-R	ATO-E/T/R/W Agency needs to set procedures for communicating GENOTs, Cirnots, and other information.
	63	Report traffic to local airport for noise abatement	Discontinue	Not an AFSS function
Accident/Incident Reporting	64	Coordination of international accidents/incidents for U.S. registered aircraft with U.S. State Department	Realign to ATO-R	Needs further study

[1]

rc:
3/27/05 need to set up meeting with ATO-W to insure communication of this has been accomplished. If no, then we will need to estsablish actions and dates.
3/27/05 create a list of equipment w/locations that needs realignment.

[2]

rc:
3/27/05 Identify where this activity is being conducted. So far we only know of PNM

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FS21FC

Going Flying?

WOW

Friday, December 7, 2007

Same old....Same old.....

Monday, October 8, 2007

AOPA…your silence is DEAFINING!!!

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

HALF truths will get you HALF lies...or...

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Start selling your stock...Ma Blakey is heading to town...!

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Random sampling 'round the web'....

Lockheed Martin Wants More FSS Money - California Pilots Association

The Southern Aviator

The Big Picture Behind Red-Light Cameras - Ticket Cameras (Red ...

Sounds like a real smooth transition.

Friday, July 27, 2007

The New FSS "End State" !

My Blog List

Followers

FSS Realigned Services

How is the new FSS system working for you?

RECENT POLLS

ZULU TIME---- Mouse over your hometown.

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Going Flying?

WOW

Friday, December 7, 2007

Monday, October 8, 2007

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Saturday, August 11, 2007

Sounds like a real smooth transition.

Friday, July 27, 2007

My Blog List

Followers

Subscribe To FS21FC

FSS Realigned Services

How is the new FSS system working for you?

RECENT POLLS

ZULU TIME---- Mouse over your hometown.

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