Notice of Intent To Decommission Flight Service Remote Communications Outlets (RCOs), 13977-13978 [2025-05167]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 58 (Thursday, March 27, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13977-13978]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2025-0558]


Notice of Intent To Decommission Flight Service Remote 
Communications Outlets (RCOs)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The FAA requests public comment on the agency's intent to 
decommission the Flight Service network of communication frequencies 
for advisory services throughout the contiguous United States (CONUS), 
excluding those in Alaska.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by May 27, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
    By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into 
search field).
    By mail: 800 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20591, ATTN: 
Manager, Flight Service, Safety & Operations, AJR-B1.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Henne, Manger, Safety & 
Operations, (202) 267-6500 or by email at: [email protected], 
Subject: CONUS RCOs.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: Flight Service provides inflight advisory services over 
a radio network of 936 frequencies throughout the CONUS, including 
Hawaii and Puerto Rico. This infrastructure was developed over 40 years 
ago, with little or no modifications since.
    Flight Service has experienced reduction in the volume of requests 
for advisory services, and a resulting consolidation in Flight Service 
stations. In the mid-1980s, Flight Service received 22,000 service 
requests per day across this network, while today they receive fewer 
than 300 per day. In turn, from over 350 Flight Service stations with 
over 3,000 employees 40 years ago, there are now only two (2) 
facilities with fewer than 200 specialists. This 99% reduction in the 
volume of requests is not representative of a reduction in flights. 
Rather, it is a result of a move to new technology with no safety 
impacts. Technology (e.g., mobile technology) has made it possible for 
users today to receive the information and services that Flight Service 
provides without the need for radio communications.
    The remaining infrastructure and staffing for this outdated method 
costs taxpayers millions of dollars annually to support the small 
number of pilots that have not converted to mobile technology. In 
January 2016, a MITRE study found that a vast majority of the 
frequencies were duplicate, overlapping and seldom used. In April 2016, 
the FAA published a Notice of Proposed Policy for FAA's proposed plan 
to decommission a number of RCOs and frequencies.\1\ The FAA received 
13 comments, made minor revisions to the decommission list, and 
published the final policy on August 30, 2017.\2\ In 2017, the FAA 
decommissioned 641 frequencies, including 404 RCOs and 237 VOR outlets 
for a cost savings estimated at $2.5 million annually in maintenance 
costs, with additional savings realized once leases and voice switch 
infrastructure were decreased.
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    \1\ 81 FR 25484 (April 28, 2016).
    \2\ 82 FR 41304 (August 30, 2017).
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    It is the FAA's intent to decommission all remaining 936 RCOs in 
CONUS after a final rule is published. The remaining list of 936 
frequencies is available on the FAA website \3\ and can be divided into 
two groups:
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    \3\ https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/systemops/fs.
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    (1) RCOs that aircraft can use to contact a flight service station 
by transmitting and receiving on a common or discrete frequency, for 
example, 122.2, 122.5, etc. There are 764 RCOs in the CONUS.
    (2) Frequencies that are co-located with navigational aids, known 
as VORs, in which aircraft can contact flight service by transmitting 
on a frequency (usually 122.1) and receiving on the appropriate VOR 
frequency. There are 172 VOR frequencies in the CONUS.
    After decommissioning these RCOs, Flight Service will no longer 
provide inflight advisory services in CONUS. All emergency frequencies 
will continue to be monitored through Air Traffic Control Facilities.
    Safety Analysis: A Safety Risk Management Panel will be convened to 
analyze potential risk to the National Airspace System as a result of 
this change.
    Public Comments Invited: The FAA is interested in comments 
concerning the move to decommission the remaining 936 Remote 
Communications Outlets in CONUS. Users are welcome to include comments 
concerning any other aspect of your experience with Flight Service.
    The FAA will file in the docket all comments it receives, as well 
as a report summarizing each substantive public contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this action. Before acting on this notice,

[[Page 13978]]

the FAA will consider all comments it receives on or before the closing 
date for comments. The FAA will consider comments filed after the 
comment period has closed if it is possible to do so without incurring 
expense or delay. The agency may change this notice in light of the 
comments it receives.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Kevin J. Hanson,
Director of Flight Service, AJR-B, Air Traffic Organization.
[FR Doc. 2025-05167 Filed 3-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P