En Route, Position Reporting and Flight Information Service Communications
Core concepts
En route communications involve position reports, flight information service (FIS), and communication with area control or flight information centres. In Brunei, you may contact Brunei Approach or Brunei Radio for FIS. Key concepts: position report format: callsign, position, time, altitude, next position and ETA, and any other information. For VFR, you must know the compulsory reporting points and the phraseology for requesting FIS: 'request flight information service', 'request weather', 'request airspace information'. Understand the difference between 'radar control' and 'flight information service' (the latter does not provide clearances). Traps: omitting the time or altitude in position reports; using 'over' when not necessary; failing to state 'VFR' when requesting FIS; assuming FIS provides separation. Also, know the phrase 'no reported traffic' and 'traffic information'. Worked example: 'Brunei Radio, Cessna Five Six Alpha Bravo, position five nautical miles north of Brunei VOR, time zero five, altitude three thousand five hundred feet, estimating VOR zero nine, VFR, request flight information service.' Rule of thumb: always include callsign, position, time, altitude, next position and ETA in a position report.
Key points
- Position report: callsign, position, time, altitude, next position and ETA.
- FIS does not provide clearances or separation.
- Request FIS with 'request flight information service'.
- State 'VFR' when requesting FIS.
- Use 'traffic information' when advising other traffic.