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AIM 

Section 5.  Other Airspace Areas 

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1.  Airport Advisory/Information Services 

a. 

There are two advisory type services available at selected airports. 

1. 

Local Airport Advisory (LAA) service is available only in Alaska and is operated within 10 statute miles 

of an airport where a control tower is not operating but where a FSS is located on the airport. At such locations, 

the FSS provides a complete local airport advisory service to arriving and departing aircraft. During periods of 

fast changing weather the FSS will automatically provide Final Guard as part of the service from the time the 

aircraft reports “on

final” or “taking

the

active

runway” until the aircraft reports “on

the

ground” or 

“airborne.” 

NOTE

 

Current policy, when requesting remote ATC services, requires that a pilot monitor the automated weather broadcast at the 

landing airport prior to requesting ATC services. The FSS automatically provides Final Guard, when appropriate, during 

LAA/Remote Airport Advisory (RAA) operations. Final Guard is a value added wind/altimeter monitoring service, which 

provides an automatic wind and altimeter check during active weather situations when the pilot reports on

final or taking 

the active runway. During the landing or take

off operation when the winds or altimeter are actively changing the FSS will 

blind broadcast significant changes when the specialist believes the change might affect the operation. Pilots should 

acknowledge the first wind/altimeter check but due to cockpit activity no acknowledgement is expected for the blind 

broadcasts. It is prudent for a pilot to report on

the

ground or airborne to end the service. 

2. 

Remote Airport Information Service (RAIS) is provided in support of short term special events like small 

to medium fly

ins. The service is advertised by NOTAM D only. The FSS will not have access to a continuous 

readout of the current winds and altimeter; therefore, RAIS does not include weather and/or Final Guard service. 

However, known traffic, special event instructions, and all other services are provided. 

NOTE

 

The airport authority and/or manager should request RAIS support on official letterhead directly with the manager of the 

FSS that will provide the service at least 30 days in advance. Approval authority rests with the FSS manager and is based 

on workload and resource availability. 

REFERENCE

 

AIM, Para 4

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9, Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers. 

b. 

It is not mandatory that pilots participate in the Airport Advisory programs. Participation enhances safety 

for everyone operating around busy GA airports; therefore, everyone is encouraged to participate and provide 

feedback that will help improve the program. 

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2.  Military Training Routes 

a. 

National security depends largely on the deterrent effect of our airborne military forces. To be proficient, 

the military services must train in a wide range of airborne tactics. One phase of this training involves “low level” 

combat tactics. The required maneuvers and high speeds are such that they may occasionally make the 

see-and-avoid aspect of VFR flight more difficult without increased vigilance in areas containing such 

operations. In an effort to ensure the greatest practical level of safety for all flight operations, the Military 

Training Route (MTR) program was conceived. 

b. 

The MTR program is a joint venture by the FAA and the Department of Defense (DoD). MTRs are mutually 

developed for use by the military for the purpose of conducting low-altitude, high-speed training. The routes 

above 1,500 feet AGL are developed to be flown, to the maximum extent possible, under IFR. The routes at 1,500 

feet AGL and below are generally developed to be flown under VFR. 

c. 

Generally, MTRs are established below 10,000 feet MSL for operations at speeds in excess of 250 knots. 

However, route segments may be defined at higher altitudes for purposes of route continuity. For example, route 

segments may be defined for descent, climbout, and mountainous terrain. There are IFR and VFR routes as 

follows: 

Other Airspace Areas 

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