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Each of the 8 Flight Information Centres provide the following services upon which pilots and
dispatchers rely for safe flight planning and efficient operations:
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| Emergency |
In the event of an aircraft emergency, pilots can request emergency services
by contacting the FIC via an enroute frequency or any other NAV CANADA
operational facilities.
Specialists at the FIC offer VFR alerting services, conduct communication searches, and notify Search
and Rescue (SAR) in the event of an overdue flight.
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| Aviation Weather Briefing |
Interpretive pre-flight and enroute weather briefings are provided from
the Flight Information Centre using a full suite of weather products including
satellite and radar imagery and lightning detection charts. Specialists
are highly trained to interpret meteorological information and to tailor
the information to the needs of aviation users.
Consultation and advice on special weather problems and flight documentation for long-range flights are
available. The level of service provided at the Flight Information Centre is described as W1 in the Canada
Flight Supplement (CFS) and Canada Water Aerodrome Supplement (CWAS).
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| Flight Plan Filing |
Pilots and dispatchers can file their flight plans or itineraries either
with the FIC or online using the Aviation Weather Website. Once landed,
you can use the fast close service (Option 4 from the telephone menu)
to close your flight plan if you have not already advised other NAV CANADA
personnel at staffed facilities to close your flight plan.
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| Flight Planning* |
Flight Information Centres provide all the information pilots need for
their flight planning such as weather information, relevant Notices to
Airmen (NOTAM), runway conditions, Pilot Reports (PIREPs) and much more.
Specialists at the FIC have been trained in local aviation knowledge such as terrain and regional weather
patterns for their service area. Pilots and dispatchers can also access this wealth of valuable regional
information published online in aviation weather manuals for each of the Graphic Area Forecast (GFAs).
Pilots or dispatchers can also use the Pilot's Automated Telephone Weather Answering Service (PATWAS), 1-866-WX-BRIEF or 1-866-GO METEO (1-866-466-3836) (Option 3 from the telephone menu), for up-to-date weather information, local sunrise/sunset times at most
airports in Canada and the United States.
On the ground, pilots can use the Pilot Information Kiosk (PIK) to visit the Aviation Weather Website and the
conveniently located telephone handset to contact a Specialist directly for an interpretive weather briefing
and flight planning services.
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| Enroute Flight Information Services |
Specialists monitor the assigned frequencies which allow pilots to obtain
and relay flight information to the FIC while in flight. This also allows
the Specialists to relay IFR position reports and clearances to pilots.
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| Airport Advisory Services |
Airport Advisory Services are provided by Flight Service Specialists at
Flight Service Stations or at the Flight Information Centres via a Remote
Communications Outlet (RCO). Airport Advisory Services and Remote Airport
Advisory Services provide all relevant information to a particular airport
such as weather reports (wind and altimeter settings); active or preferred
runway (if known); field condition reports; Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs);
pilot reports (PIREPs); and known aircraft and vehicle traffic.
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| Additional Services |
Flight Information Centres are also responsible for broadcasting flight
safety information; processing pilot reports (PIREPs) and flight safety
reports; operating and monitoring communications and navigational aids;
processing NOTAM, runway surface condition (RSC) and Canadian Runway Friction
Index (CRFI) reports; and coordinating Community Aerodrome Radio Stations
(CARS) activities.
In brief, the Flight Information Centre offers a convenient one-stop shop for
your pilot's and dispatch's needs for pre-flight and enroute information and
weather briefings.
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Disclaimer: Whenever possible, pilots are encouraged to obtain an interpretative
weather briefing and all pertinent NOTAM from Flight Information Centres / Flight
Service Stations (FIC/FSS) prior to flying.
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