What Alaska pilots want as briefing technology evolves

With vast geographic expanse, low population density, rugged terrain, and all manner of capricious weather, Alaska aviation makes unique demands on pilots who work to serve highly aviation-dependent communities.

That’s why the FAA’s Alaska flight service unit continues to maintain a network of local flight service stations that remain a primary resource for weather information.

The FAA has estimated that 82 percent of Alaska communities have no road access and depend on aviation for survival. As the agency works to implement the flight service modernization for which AOPA has strongly advocated, the agency faces “a key moment in time where the service may need to change in fundamental ways to stay relevant and meet the needs of its customers,” AOPA noted in a February 2018 letter of support for the Alaska Flight Service Modernization Initiative.

“It is important the FAA consider the end user during this initiative, and we look forward to providing feedback and data throughout the process so the FAA can make informed and constructive decisions,” the letter said.

That process of providing feedback is well underway. A 2019 survey conducted by AOPA and the Alaska Airmen Association and presented to the FAA in May revealed which information resources were being adapted most rapidly—and which services may have outlived their usefulness.

According to the survey:

• Alaska pilots regularly avail themselves of self-briefing resources such as apps and web portals.

• Pilots want Alaska flight service to increase support and integration with third-party information-service vendors.

• Many pilots want to retain existing flight service station locations. They also recommended improving briefers’ local weather knowledge.

• During bad weather, more than 60 percent of pilots say that they are very likely to call for a briefing.

• The only time pilots prefer an in-person briefing is when they do not have phone reception or internet access.

• Pilots see a need for improved radio reception in many remote areas.

• Legacy services including transcribed weather broadcasts (TWEB) and the telephone information briefing service (TIBS) were rarely or never used by the majority of Alaska pilots. Both services were discontinued on January 1. In the lower 48 states, the FAA also announced the discontinuation on January 8 of the hazardous inflight weather advisory service (HIWAS), which transmitted weather advisories over some VORs.

AOPA Alaska Region Manager Tom George expects a collaborative effort to develop new ways for pilots and flight service to interact, based on past cooperation.

“AOPA has worked with Alaska Flight Service to enhance services for pilots for many years,” he said. “Systems like the Enhanced Special Reporting Service linking alert signals from personal satellite tracking devices to flight service were prototyped here. We look forward to helping test new capabilities, including a potential two-way texting function as an additional tool in remote parts of the state. The FAA has been working very hard with industry and NATCA and is actively looking at new communication solutions in Alaska.”

The May presentation of the survey data to the FAA began the brainstorming process that will mark the modernization effort—recognizing the high value Alaska pilots place on the state’s network of flight service stations.

“The FAA is committed to finding the best solution to meet the needs of Alaskan pilots,” said Rune Duke, AOPA senior director of airspace, air traffic, and aviation security. “New services take time, including finding funding, research and development, contract negotiations, specialist training. AOPA will continue to be actively involved to inform these conversations and help shape future services.”