What is INFORMATION
INFORMATION (Flight Information Service or FIS) is the ATC service providing flight-relevant information to pilots operating in uncontrolled airspace or in transit between controlled airspaces.
Unlike TOWER and APPROACH, INFORMATION does not control traffic: it doesn't separate aircraft, doesn't give clearances, doesn't assign headings or altitudes. The pilot remains autonomous, responsible for their own visual separation (see-and-avoid) and navigation. INFORMATION simply offers:
- Weather information (METAR, TAF, ATIS, evolution)
- Traffic information (sightings useful from radar or pirep)
- NOTAM information relevant to your route
- Regional QNH information and updates
- Airspace information (D/R zone activations, obstacles)
- Coordination with TWR/APP for CTR/TMA entries
- Emergency assistance (even if not their primary role)
FIS stands for Flight Information Service. It's one of the three ATS services (along with proper ATC and Alerting Service). It's regulated by ICAO Annex 11 and defined in Doc 4444.
When to call INFORMATION
In a VFR cross-country flight, INFORMATION is your radio companion when:
- You're in airspace G (uncontrolled) and want to maintain coordination
- You're about to cross a FIR and want to ask for the new region's QNH
- You have doubts about a NOTAM's validity or a military zone activation
- You want to know if there's traffic in your direction
- You need a QDM/QDR to recover your route
- You're losing orientation (lost) and want assistance
- You have a small operational issue (e.g. minor engine problem) and want preventive coordination
Essentially: if you're not talking to TOWER or APPROACH, and flying a significant route, you talk to INFORMATION.
Typical phraseology
First call
INFOHB-PMR, Lugano Information.
HB-PMRHB-PMR, Cessna 172, position 3 miles south of Locarno, altitude four thousand five hundred feet, VFR to Sion via Furka pass, request flight information service.
INFOHB-PMR, roger, QNH Locarno 1018, no significant traffic reported in your area, NOTAM Furka pass is active until 1500 UTC for paragliding.
HB-PMRQNH 1018, copied, Furka NOTAM noted, HB-PMR.
Specific info request
INFOHB-PMR, Lugano Information, QDM 045.
HB-PMRQDM 045, HB-PMR.
Hand-off to TOWER
INFOHB-PMR, contact Lugano Tower 119.000, good day.
HB-PMR119.000, HB-PMR, good day.
What INFORMATION does NOT do
The most common point of confusion. INFORMATION:
- Doesn't separate you from traffic. Even if it warns you of another aircraft, it's up to you (see-and-avoid rule) to avoid the collision.
- Doesn't give clearances. To enter controlled airspace, you must call destination airport's TOWER or APPROACH.
- Doesn't assign altitudes or headings. You fly as planned, communicating changes if you wish.
- Doesn't guarantee continuous radar coverage. At low altitude, in valleys, or far from main centers, radar can't see you.
- Doesn't replace ATIS. ATIS is a recorded bulletin; INFORMATION is a dialogue.
Expecting traffic separation from INFORMATION. Even if it tells you "traffic at your 12 o'clock 2 miles", that traffic is information. You must visually identify it and maintain separation. You can't rely on INFO as if it were a TMA radar control.
INFORMATION vs APPROACH vs TOWER
| INFORMATION | APPROACH | TOWER | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airspace | G + uncontrolled | TMA / arrival/departure | CTR + runway |
| Service | Information only | Control (separation) | Control (CTR + runway) |
| Radar vectors | No | Yes (for IFR; VFR on request) | No |
| Clearance | No | Yes (TMA entry, descent) | Yes (take-off, landing, CTR) |
| Example | Lugano Information | Zurich Approach | Lugano Tower |
Coordination for controlled passages
A useful function of INFORMATION is pre-coordination with destination TOWER or APPROACH. If you're heading toward Lugano from the Milan FIR, you can ask Lugano Information whether the CTR is active and what the standard entry procedure is. Lugano Information will give you details and then hand you to the tower at the right time.
INFOHB-PMR, Lugano CTR active, runway 19 in use, traffic light, expect right downwind. When ready, contact Lugano Tower 119.000.
HB-PMRRight downwind 19 expected, will contact Tower 119.000 when ready, HB-PMR.
Swiss specifics
In Switzerland, INFORMATION is offered by Skyguide on regional frequencies:
- Lugano Information (Southern Alps): 124.4 - Zurich Information (Plateau): 124.700 - Geneva Information (Romandy): 126.350
The service is free. Skyguide strongly recommends maintaining it during cross-country flights, even though not mandatory in Class G airspace. It helps enormously in emergencies and is the first contact point if you need assistance.
Summary — to remember
- INFORMATION = information, not control.
- Call it for VFR cross-country, FIR crossings, NOTAM doubts, QDM/QDR.
- Doesn't give clearances or traffic separation.
- Coordinates the hand-off to TOWER or APPROACH at destination.
- In Switzerland it's Skyguide, regional frequencies (Lugano 124.4, Zurich 124.7, Geneva 126.35).
- Free service, recommended even when not mandatory.
Sources
- ICAO Annex 11 — Air Traffic Services, Chapter 4 (Flight Information Service)
- ICAO Doc 4444 — PANS-ATM, Chapter 6
- AIP Switzerland — ENR 1.2 (Visual Flight Rules) and GEN 3.3
- Aero Locarno · Subject 090 — VFR Communications (Information chapter)
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