4–5–9 Flight Information Service–Broadcast (FIS-B)
a. Introduction.
FIS-B is a ground broadcast service provided through the ADS-B Services network over the 978 MHz UAT data link. The FAA FIS-B system provides pilots and flight crews of properly equipped aircraft with a cockpit display of certain aviation weather and aeronautical information. FIS-B reception is line-of-sight within the service volume of the ground infrastructure. (See Figure 4-5-7 and Figure 4-5-8.)
b. Weather Products.
FIS-B does not replace a preflight weather briefing from a source listed in Paragraph 7-1-2, FAA Weather Services, or inflight updates from an FSS or ATC. FIS-B information may be used by the pilot for the safe conduct of flight and aircraft movement; however, the information should not be the only source of weather or aeronautical information. A pilot should be particularly alert and understand the limitations and quality assurance issues associated with individual products. This includes graphical representation of next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) imagery and Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM)/temporary flight restrictions (TFRs).
Reference: AIM, ¶7-1-9, Flight Information Services (FIS); Advisory Circular AC 00-63, Use of Cockpit Displays of Digital Weather and Aeronautical Information
c. Reports of FIS-B Malfunctions.
Users of FIS-B can provide valuable assistance in the correction of malfunctions by reporting instances of undesirable system performance. Since FIS-B performance is monitored by maintenance personnel rather than ATC, report malfunctions to the nearest Flight Service Station (FSS) facility by radio or telephone, or by sending an email to the ADS-B help desk at adsb@faa.gov. Reports should include:
1. Condition observed;
2. Date and time of observation;
3. Altitude and location of observation;
4. Type and call sign of the aircraft; and
5. Type and software version of avionics system.
Table 4–5–3
FIS-B Over UAT Product Update and Transmission Interval
|
Product |
Update Interval1 |
Transmission Interval (95%)2 |
Basic Product |
|
AIRMET |
As Available |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
AWW/WW |
As Available, then at 15 minute intervals for 1 hour |
5 minutes |
No |
|
Ceiling |
As Available |
10 minutes |
No |
|
Convective SIGMET |
As Available, then at 15 minute intervals for 1 hour |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
D–ATIS |
As Available |
1 minute |
No |
|
Echo Top |
5 minutes |
5 minutes |
No |
|
METAR/SPECI |
1 minute (where available), As Available otherwise |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
MRMS NEXRAD (CONUS) |
2 minutes |
15 minutes |
Yes |
|
MRMS NEXRAD (Regional) |
2 minutes |
2.5 minutes |
Yes |
|
NOTAMs–D/FDC |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
NOTAMs–TFR |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
PIREP |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
SIGMET |
As Available, then at 15 minute intervals for 1 hour |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
SUA Status |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
TAF/AMEND |
6 Hours (±15 minutes) |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
Temperature Aloft |
12 Hours (±15 minutes) |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
TWIP |
As Available |
1 minute |
No |
|
Winds aloft |
12 Hours (±15 minutes) |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
Lightning strikes3 |
5 minutes |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
Turbulence3 |
1 minute |
15 minutes |
Yes |
|
Icing, Forecast Potential (FIP)3 |
60 minutes |
15 minutes |
Yes |
|
Cloud tops3 |
30 minutes |
15 minutes |
Yes |
|
1 Minute AWOS3 |
1 minute |
10 minutes |
No |
|
Graphical–AIRMET3 |
As Available |
5 minutes |
Yes |
|
Center Weather Advisory (CWA)3 |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
|
Temporary Military Operations Areas (TMOA) |
As Available |
10 minutes |
Yes |
1 The Update Interval is the rate at which the product data is available from the source.
2 The Transmission Interval is the amount of time within which a new or updated product transmission must be completed (95%) and the rate or repetition interval at which the product is rebroadcast (95%).
3 The transmission and update intervals for the expanded set of basic meteorological products may be adjusted based on FAA and vendor agreement on the final product formats and performance requirements.
Note 1: Details concerning the content, format, and symbols of the various data link products provided should be obtained from the specific avionics manufacturer.
Note 2: NOTAM-D and NOTAM-FDC products broadcast via FIS-B are limited to those issued or effective within the past 30 days.