Operational Information System

AIM ¶ 5-1-4 — Operational Information System

AIM 5-1-4 explains the FAA ATCSCC's OIS at fly.faa.gov, advisories, ground stops, route RQD/RMD, and System Impact Reports for flight planning.

In Plain English

AIM 5-1-4 directs pilots to the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) website at http://www.fly.faa.gov for near real-time National Airspace System (NAS) status before filing a flight plan. While not regulatory, checking OIS is strongly recommended to avoid surprises like delays, reroutes, or closures.

The site consolidates advisories — electronic messages with NAS-relevant information. Common advisory types include:

Ground Stops and Ground Delay Programs
Route Information
Plan of Operations
Facility Outages (current and scheduled)
Volcanic Ash Activity Bulletins
Special Traffic Management Programs

This list isn't exhaustive — advisories may also cover other widely useful info, and short-notice events may not generate one.

Route advisories are tagged in the header with an action level:

RQD — Required (file consistent with this routing)
RMD — Recommended
PLN — Planned
FYI — For your information

The Route Management Tool (RMT) and Playbook under "Products" contain coordinated routings published in advisories. System Impact Reports list scheduled events like runway closures, airshows, and construction with anticipated delays and Traffic Management Initiatives (TMI).

AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 5-1-4

5-1-4. 5-1-4. Operational Information System (OIS) The FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) maintains a website with near real-time National Airspace System (NAS) status information. NAS operators are encouraged to access the website at http://www.fly.faa.gov prior to filing their flight plan. The website consolidates information from advisories. An advisory is a message that is disseminated electronically by the ATCSCC that contains information pertinent to the NAS. Advisories are normally issued for the following items: Ground Stops. Ground Delay Programs. Route Information. Plan of Operations. Facility Outages and Scheduled Facility Outages. Volcanic Ash Activity Bulletins. Special Traffic Management Programs. This list is not all-inclusive. Any time there is information that may be beneficial to a large number of people, an advisory may be sent. Additionally, there may be times when an advisory is not sent due to workload or the short length of time of the activity. Route information is available on the website and in specific advisories. Some route information, subject to the 56-day publishing cycle, is located on the “OIS” under “Products,” Route Management Tool (RMT), and “What's New” Playbook. The RMT and Playbook contain routings for use by Air Traffic and NAS operators when they are coordinated “real-time” and are then published in an ATCSCC advisory. Route advisories are identified by the word “Route” in the header; the associated action is required (RQD), recommended (RMD), planned (PLN), or for your information (FYI). Operators are expected to file flight plans consistent with the Route RQD advisories. Electronic System Impact Reports are on the intranet at http://www.atcscc.faa.gov/ois/ under “System Impact Reports." This page lists scheduled outages/events/projects that significantly impact the NAS; for example, runway closures, air shows, and construction projects. Information includes anticipated delays and traffic management initiatives (TMI) that may be implemented.

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1Where can a pilot find near real-time NAS status information before filing a flight plan?

Per AIM 5-1-4, pilots are encouraged to check the FAA ATCSCC website at http://www.fly.faa.gov, which consolidates advisories on ground stops, delays, route information, facility outages, and other NAS-impacting events.

Q2What do the codes RQD, RMD, PLN, and FYI mean on a route advisory?

Per AIM 5-1-4, route advisory headers indicate the associated action: RQD (required), RMD (recommended), PLN (planned), or FYI (for your information). Operators are expected to file flight plans consistent with Route RQD advisories.

Q3What types of items are typically published as ATCSCC advisories?

Per AIM 5-1-4, advisories are normally issued for ground stops, ground delay programs, route information, plan of operations, facility outages and scheduled facility outages, volcanic ash activity bulletins, and special traffic management programs — though the list isn't all-inclusive.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 5

¶ 5-1-1

Preflight Preparation

¶ 5-1-10

IFR High Altitude Destinations

¶ 5-1-11

International Flight Operations

¶ 5-1-12

Flight Plan Changes

¶ 5-1-13

Departure Time Changes

¶ 5-1-14