FSS at Oshkosh this year?

[lkorona]

Has anyone heard if FSS will be at the show this year? Due to the Federal budget sequestration, if the FAA was holding back on staffing ATC, I'm sure that FSS staff was also cut. Having FSS on the field for weather briefings is just as important as having ATC working.

[Joe Delene]

No I'm not discounting a real briefing, but with some wi-fi & a smart phone or computer most can be done on our own. There are many sites, apps, links & the rest to check things out, Notams too.

Yes, I have called & visited a few times in recent times, for the most part I go to my favorite apps & sites. I hope they come though.

[steve]

The FSS briefers are Lockheed-Martin employees not FAA.

[flibmeister]

The FSS briefers are Lockheed-Martin employees not FAA.

True, but the FAA pays for L-M to send them.

Ever since L-M has had the FSS contract, there are four events that were "grandfathered" and automatically covered for a remote FSS operation: Oshkosh, Sun 'n' Fun, Albuquerque Balloon Festival, and the Copperstate Fly-In. Many other events had an FSS presence, of course, but they had to apply annually, provide justification, and if selected they were covered out of a separate budget.

I'm the air ops guy for Copperstate, and here's the text of the message I received in April from the FAA Ops specialist in charge of remote FSS deployment:

"I am sorry to inform you that the FAA will not be able to support your event this year do to limited funding."


I suspect that the folks at Oshkosh received the same message, although it's possible that their much higher volume and worse weather spared them.

[lkorona]

No I'm not discounting a real briefing, but with some wi-fi & a smart phone or computer most can be done on our own. There are many sites, apps, links & the rest to check things out, Notams too. Yes, I have called & visited a few times in recent times, for the most part I go to my favorite apps & sites. I hope they come though.

OK that's fine for folks that have those "toys"; I'm too cheap to buy the most current technology, especially when I just don't have a real need for them. I do have a cell, but it's one of those dumb phones. Most of the time the phone is turned off or not with me.

Since when must I be talking to someone at any given moment? I frankly don’t have that much to say most of the time anyway

We are on our own, thanks Washington!

I guess I'm turning into a grumpy old guy!

[tonycondon]

Are you sure this is still the case? A lot changed between April and now and I'm pretty sure the FAA was given the blank check to rob the airport improvement fund not only for ATC but for whatever else they wanted to pay for (except for sending controllers to Oshkosh ;) )


True, but the FAA pays for L-M to send them.

Ever since L-M has had the FSS contract, there are four events that were "grandfathered" and automatically covered for a remote FSS operation: Oshkosh, Sun 'n' Fun, Albuquerque Balloon Festival, and the Copperstate Fly-In. Many other events had an FSS presence, of course, but they had to apply annually, provide justification, and if selected they were covered out of a separate budget.

I'm the air ops guy for Copperstate, and here's the text of the message I received in April from the FAA Ops specialist in charge of remote FSS deployment:

"I am sorry to inform you that the FAA will not be able to support your event this year do to limited funding."


I suspect that the folks at Oshkosh received the same message, although it's possible that their much higher volume and worse weather spared them.

[Chris In Marshfield]

One might argue that if you have a need to get current weather, and right now, and you need it often, then you have a real need for one of these devices. :D

In today's information age, there's almost nothing that you don't have access to in an electronic format. If you need it, it's there.

The world's a-changing. Sometimes you have to make the leap if you choose to keep up with it. Just sayin' ;)

~Chris

[lkorona]

One might argue that if you have a need to get current weather, and right now, and you need it often, then you have a real need for one of these devices. :D

In today's information age, there's almost nothing that you don't have access to in an electronic format. If you need it, it's there.

The world's a-changing. Sometimes you have to make the leap if you choose to keep up with it. Just sayin' ;)

~Chris

I've got a nice home computer, but nothing portable. Can’t see spending $$ for a once a year need. Also having FSS on the field giving you a detailed narrative on the general weather systems is also good for planning the departure. It’s the longest trip that I usually do each year.
Again, it not to say that I can’t adapt and get the brief over the phone, but again what other place and time do you have 100’s of pilots all making plans for their longest X-country of the year? It’s just indicative of the downward spiral that GA has been in for the past 20 years. Pay more and getting less and less.

[MEdwards]

OK that's fine for folks that have those "toys"; I'm too cheap to buy the most current technology, especially when I just don't have a real need for them.*I do have a cell, but it's one of those dumb phones. Most of the time the phone is turned off or not with me.At least last year there were still a few pay phones on the grounds, and 1-800-WXBRIEF, a toll-free call, works fine, though you may have to tell a briefer in Nevada someplace where Oshkosh is.

[Joe Delene]

I think many pilots would be glad to lend some 'device time' to allow one to check wx, notams & the rest. If one is so inclined you could also make your way to one of the FBOs on the North side of the field to use their wx computer. Most of us pilots have somewhat a handle on wx without even checking. What I mean is, we know when the nasty low pressure system is due to move in & adjust accordingly. As was mentioned, you can always call the distant briefer & do it long distance. I think I would just call the 800 number.

I'm only about 89 miles from RIPON, so I don't have a long way to go.

[Bill Greenwood]

It is just my guess, with no inside info, but I believe that the FSS station will be open at Airventure just as it has in the past.
While I am sure that there are many people who are experts with an cell phone or other techno gadget, for me, seeing all the weather maps at FSS and having a real briefer in person seems by far the best way.

My next best way, and really sometimes even better is to see WSI at FBOs that have this service, as many of the main ones do.

About 2 years ago a pilot who's family I know and went to school with, got a briefing on his cell phone and left Steamboat Springs in a C182 with his wife and kids.
Unfortunately the weather about 75 miles away was not so good.
They almost made it out of the mountains, and went down about 35 miles SW of Denver. Very sad.

[ifly1848v]

In previous years, the Lockheed-Martin staff would loin us on-air on EAA Radio for a morning briefing. When I contacted them this year I was told that they would not be at AirVenture in any capacity. I also confirmed this was still the case following the agreement between EAA and FAA. We have yet to get any solid confirmation from NOAA/NWS in either direction. The same is true of several other federal pavilion regulars. It appears EAA Radio will have to lean on our staff meteorologist for 2013.

[Dick Knapinski]

Hi, everyone: Jim Gray is correct-- On-site FSS personnel are not expected at Oshkosh this year, for all the reasons already mentioned. That is included on Page 14 of the Oshkosh NOTAM, and also on the inside front cover. http://www.airventure.org/flying/2013_notam.pdf Phone briefings are still available toll-free through FSS and of course, things such as DUATS will also be available.

[FlyingRon]

There are no briefers in Nevada. Ashburn, VA, Prescott, AZ, Fort Worth TX are the three you're likely to get on the 800-VFR-NOTRECOMMENDED