AFIS Operations: The Middle Ground

Between fully controlled aerodromes and fully unattended fields sits the AFIS service. This is the most common model in Europe for smaller aerodromes with regular light aircraft activity.

AFIS is information service. The operator listens on frequency and provides wind, runway, QNH, and information about other traffic. But the operator does not issue clearances and does not separate traffic. That responsibility remains with you.

An AFIS station might say: "OE-CMV, Salzburg Radio, we have another aircraft on approach from the east, a Piper Seneca." You now know about the traffic and can plan accordingly. You might request a delay or choose to land on a different runway. The decision is yours.

This is different from ATC, where the controller says: "D-EHGH, you are number two behind the Seneca, Expect landing in 5 minutes." That is a clearance and instruction.