Revision 2 Nov/2002
KMD 550/850 FIS Addendum
1
INTRODUCTION
CONCEPT OF OPERATION
The Flight Information Services (FIS) system supplies real-time weather
information and other flight advisory information to pilots to enhance situ-
ation awareness.
FIS is not intended to replace voice radio services. Voice communication
of weather and meteorological information, in accordance with FAA
operating rules, is still required.
The FIS system is operational 24 hours / day, 7 days / week. Data
acquired from FAA approved weather sources is processed at the hub
and then distributed to Ground Stations. The Ground Stations broadcast
the information over a VHF Data Link (VDL) to aircraft within line-of-sight
utilizing VDL mode 2 transmitters at a bit rate up to 31.5 kbps.
The following diagram illustrates how FIS data is received in the aircraft.
Introduction
KMD 550/850 FIS PG R2 11/21/02 5:34 PM Page 1