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
