FAA Proposes to Shut Down Flight Service Radio Network Amid Declining Use

The FAA is planning to phase out the longstanding radio network that enables pilots to communicate with Flight Service Stations (FSS), citing a dramatic drop in usage over the past two decades. 

In a recent Notice of Intent published in the Federal Register, the agency explained that advances in digital technology such as cell phones and online tools have rendered the network largely obsolete. “In the mid-1980s, Flight Service received 22,000 service requests per day across this network,” the FAA stated. “Today, that number has dropped to fewer than 300 per day.” 

At its peak, the Flight Service network included over 350 stations staffed by more than 3,000 employees. Today, just two facilities remain operational, with fewer than 200 specialists on staff. 

The current radio network includes 936 frequencies across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Its maintenance and operation cost the agency millions of dollars annually. However, emergency communication will continue to be supported by Air Traffic Control (ATC), ensuring that pilots still have access to help in urgent situations. 

The FAA noted that this decommissioning plan will not affect operations in Alaska, where radio communication remains essential due to limited cell coverage and sparse infrastructure.