What is the function of an Airport Advisory Area?

The function of an Airport Advisory Area is primarily to provide advisory services to aircraft that are arriving at or departing from an airport that may not have an operating control tower. In this context, Flight Service Stations (FSS) offer information, such as weather updates, traffic advisories, and runway conditions, to assist pilots in making informed decisions about their approach and landing. This service is crucial in enhancing safety at non-towered airports by facilitating communication among pilots and providing essential information about the airport environment.

Arriving aircraft benefit significantly from these advisory services, as there is often an increased risk of collisions or mishaps in areas where air traffic control is not present. The advisory area helps to bridge this gap, ensuring that pilots have access to important situational awareness that they might not have had otherwise.

While an Airport Advisory Area does not involve mandatory control tower oversight, it does foster an environment of increased communication among pilots, thus contributing to safer operations in and around airports.