En-route VFR FIS (Flight Information Service)
FIS (Flight Information Service) is a voluntary radio communication service for VFR cross-country flights. ATC gives information but has no separation responsibility.
Source: ICAO Annex 11 Air Traffic Services, EASA Easy Access Rules for SERA, SERA.8005 + 8015.
What is FIS?
FIS is not a controlled air traffic service:
- Pilot remains responsible for separation and navigation.
- ATC gives information (traffic, weather, NOTAMs).
- No clearances (except in special cases for TMA entry).
Who provides FIS?
Per FIR (Flight Information Region) FIS is provided:
- Germany: "Munich Information" (FIR Munich), "Bremen Information", "Frankfurt Information".
- The official DFS FIS callsign is simply "INFORMATION" (typically used as "[FIR name] Information").
- Switzerland: "Skyguide Information" or directly "Zurich Information" / "Geneva Information".
- Austria: "Vienna Information".
- France: "Strasbourg Information".
- Italy: "Padova Information" / "Milano Information".
What "Information" gives — and what NOT
What Information GIVES:
- Aerodrome weather (METAR, ATIS data from other fields, local QNH).
- Traffic information (positions of other traffic as advisory).
- NOTAMs (on request).
- SIGMETs (on request or proactive).
- Frequency suggestions for following sectors.
- General assistance with orientation problems.
What Information does NOT give:
- No ATC clearances (climb/descent/heading instructions are not clearances, but recommendations or information).
- No separation responsibility between traffic.
- No controlled-airspace clearance (for TMA/CTR entry → handed off to approach).
→ Pilot remains PIC and decides all manoeuvres themselves.
Call sequence
Initial call
"Munich Information, Delta Echo Mike Romeo Alpha, Cessna 172, VFR from Stuttgart to Ingolstadt, over BIBOS, level 5500 ft QNH 1010, request flight information service."
ATC confirmation
"Romeo Alpha, Munich Information, flight information service, QNH Munich 1014, no known traffic, no SIGMETs."
Pilot thanks (optional)
"Roger, Romeo Alpha."
AIS (Aeronautical Information Service) — Duties
AIS is an independent ATS service (see lesson "General" — 4 ATS services). Important distinction:
- FIS = live radio service in flight.
- AIS = pre-flight / post-flight ground service.
AIS main duties (ICAO Annex 15)
| Duty | Description |
|---|---|
| Accept flight plans | Reception of flight plans for VFR and IFR (via AFTN, internet portals, telephone) |
| Check flight plans | Verification for plausibility, completeness, possible conflicts |
| Forward flight plans | Distribution to affected ATC units (departure, en-route, destination) and SAR |
| AIP (Aeronautical Information Publication) | Publication of the AIP — standard publication for airspaces, procedures, airfields |
| NOTAMs | Creation and distribution of Notice to Airmen |
| AIC (Aeronautical Information Circular) | Publication of information not fitting AIP or NOTAM |
| AIRAC | Management of the 28-day update cycles |
In Germany
DFS Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) is the German AIS unit:
- AIP Germany (online and print).
- NOTAM office.
- Flight plan acceptance office.
→ Pilot's flight plan is accepted by AIS, not by FIS or ATC.
Frequency change within FIS
On leaving the FIR / frequency:
- "Romeo Alpha, contact Frankfurt Information 128.95."
On sign-off:
- "Switching frequency, goodbye."
TMA entry via FIS
For VFR entry into a CTR or TMA:
- FIS frequency: "Munich Information, DEMRA, request transit through Munich TMA."
- FIS hands off: "DEMRA, contact Munich Approach 121.5 for TMA clearance."
→ FIS is not the direct clearance authority for CTR/TMA — only coordinates.
FIS service levels
Standard FIS
- Traffic info, weather, NOTAMs.
- No separation.
Enhanced FIS / Traffic Service
Some FIRs:
- Traffic Service: active traffic advisories, radar identification.
- Pilot squawks code (e.g. 7000 for VFR).
What FIS does NOT do
- No separation responsibility between VFR traffic.
- No control instructions (except in TMA with explicit clearance).
- Pilot is ultimately responsible for safe separation (see-and-avoid principle).
Recommended use
FIS is recommended for:
- Longer VFR flights.
- Adverse weather (updates).
- Uncertainty about NOTAMs along the route.
- Reduced visibility conditions.
Language
- German or English in DE/AT/CH.
- English for international flights.
- Both languages audible on the same frequency.
Example complete sequence
Pilot (initial): "Munich Information, Delta Echo Mike Romeo Alpha, Cessna 172, VFR from Stuttgart EDFS to Ingolstadt EDQI, over Schwabach, level 5500 ft QNH 1015, requesting flight information service."
ATC: "Romeo Alpha, Munich Information, flight information service, QNH Munich 1014, traffic at your 11 o'clock, 4 NM, opposite direction, level 5000 ft."
Pilot: "Looking, Romeo Alpha."
Pilot later: "Traffic in sight, Romeo Alpha."
ATC: "Roger, Romeo Alpha."
[10 minutes later]
Pilot: "Munich Information, Romeo Alpha, request frequency change for Ingolstadt Information."
ATC: "Romeo Alpha, contact Ingolstadt Information 124.95, goodbye."
Pilot: "Ingolstadt 124.95, Romeo Alpha, goodbye."
Cross-references
- Subject 050 Lesson "AIRMET/GAMET": meteorological products.
- Subject 010: airspaces and ATC responsibilities.
- Subject 090 Lesson "General": 4 ATS services (ATC/FIS/AIS/Alerting).