Airport Advisory/Information Services — AIM 3-5-1 Explained

AIM Text

There are two advisory type services available at selected airports.
1. Local Airport Advisory (LAA) service is available only in Alaska and is operated within 10 statute miles of an airport where a control tower is not operating but where a FSS is located on the airport. At such locations, the FSS provides a complete local airport advisory service to arriving and departing aircraft. During periods of fast changing weather the FSS will automatically provide Final Guard as part of the service from the time the aircraft reports “on-final” or “taking-the-active-runway” until the aircraft reports “on-the-ground” or “airborne.”
  
  NOTE-
  
  Current policy, when requesting remote ATC services, requires that a pilot monitor the automated weather broadcast at the landing airport prior to requesting ATC services. The FSS automatically provides Final Guard, when appropriate, during LAA/Remote Airport Advisory (RAA) operations. Final Guard is a value added wind/altimeter monitoring service, which provides an automatic wind and altimeter check during active weather situations when the pilot reports on-final or taking the active runway. During the landing or take-off operation when the winds or altimeter are actively changing the FSS will blind broadcast significant changes when the specialist believes the change might affect the operation. Pilots should acknowledge the first wind/altimeter check but due to cockpit activity no acknowledgement is expected for the blind broadcasts. It is prudent for a pilot to report on-the-ground or airborne to end the service.
2. Remote Airport Information Service (RAIS) is provided in support of short term special events like small to medium fly-ins. The service is advertised by NOTAM D only. The FSS will not have access to a continuous readout of the current winds and altimeter; therefore, RAIS does not include weather and/or Final Guard service. However, known traffic, special event instructions, and all other services are provided.
  
  NOTE-
  
  The airport authority and/or manager should request RAIS support on official letterhead directly with the manager of the FSS that will provide the service at least 30 days in advance. Approval authority rests with the FSS manager and is based on workload and resource availability.
  
  REFERENCE-
  
  AIM, Para 4-1-9, Traffic Advisory Practices at Airports Without Operating Control Towers.
It is not mandatory that pilots participate in the Airport Advisory programs. Participation enhances safety for everyone operating around busy GA airports; therefore, everyone is encouraged to participate and provide feedback that will help improve the program.

Source: FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · current edition · paragraph 3-5-1.

The short answer

This AIM section is FAA advisory guidance describing two airport advisory services: Local Airport Advisory (LAA), available only in Alaska within 10 statute miles of an airport with an FSS but no operating tower, and Remote Airport Information Service (RAIS) for short-term special events. Participation is encouraged but not mandatory, and it complements traffic advisory practices at non-towered airports.

Research Notes

Common Questions

What is Final Guard and where is it available?

The AIM describes Final Guard as a value-added wind/altimeter monitoring service automatically provided during LAA/RAA operations in active weather. It runs from when the aircraft reports “on-final” or “taking-the-active-runway” until it reports “on-the-ground” or “airborne,” with the FSS blind-broadcasting significant changes.

Is Local Airport Advisory service available outside Alaska?

No. The AIM states LAA service is available only in Alaska, operated within 10 statute miles of an airport where a control tower is not operating but an FSS is located on the airport.

Does RAIS include weather information?

Per the AIM, RAIS does not include weather or Final Guard service because the FSS lacks a continuous winds/altimeter readout. It supports short-term special events (advertised by NOTAM D only), and the airport manager should request it on letterhead at least 30 days in advance.

3-5-1. Airport Advisory/Information Services