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From: rje@cae780.UUCP (Bob Evans)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Close Encounters
Message-ID: <1952@cae780.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Mar-86 23:46:34 EST
Article-I.D.: cae780.1952
Posted: Wed Mar 12 23:46:34 1986
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Mar-86 02:44:01 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: Tektronix, Inc. (CAE Systems Division), Santa Clara, CA
Lines: 29

Someone recently questioned the relevance of many of the questions on
the IFR written exam. While I can't comment on that (not having taken it
yet), what about all the references in the aviation literature (official,
magazine, training material) about what you do when you visit the local
FSS ?  

When was the last time you were actually inside an FSS, talking 
face-to-face with a real live specialist ? I have been flying for almost 
two years now, and the only time that I've actually been inside an FSS 
was during a fuel stop at Paso Robles. They were really nice people, 
but a tad lonely :-)   Am I an exception ? Or is this normal ?

Also, is anyone using the TABS videotext weather briefing service ? It
sounds neat, and in some ways sounds like it would be even better than
having a local FSS. However, I think I'd miss being able to talk to a
specialist, even if only over the phone. The FAA now says that the TABS
briefing is a legal (?) substitute for contacting an FSS. TABS will keep
records of what you asked for, etc. just in case ...

By the way, the PRB FSS is scheduled to be shut down soon (sigh). 



FROM:   Robert J. Evans, CAE Systems Division of Tektronix, Inc.
UUCP:   tektronix!teklds!cae780!rje
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