AFIS Operations: The Middle Ground

Many modern European aerodromes now use AFIS instead of traditional towers. This reduces costs, allows for simpler staffing, and gives pilots more autonomy. The system works well when pilots understand their responsibility and use good radio discipline.

At an AFIS aerodrome, you will hear calls from the information operator and from other traffic. Listen carefully. You may hear:

An initial call from an arriving aircraft
The operator's response with information
The aircraft's readback /li>
The aircraft requesting landing information
The operator providing wind, runway, and instructions to report on final
The aircraft reporting on final

This is all information, not clearance. You interpret it, decide your own actions, and broadcast your own position.