AOPA: Lockheed's flight service station (FSS) system service not adequate

Washington DC, USA: Lockheed Martin, which took over operational control of most of the nation's flight service network last year, is experiencing troubles with consolidation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), a not-for-profit individual membership association, has said. Lockheed is now in a seven-month consolidation process, as part of a 10-year, $1.8 billion contract, during which it will merge 58 flight service stations (FSS) into 16, along with three hubs.

AOPA, after an initial period of enthusiasm over the handing over of the contract to Lockheed Martin, now says that the aerospace and defence major is not providing an adequate level of service. It says that excessive hold times, service outages and a lack of local knowledge have driven AOPA to provide a list of alternative sources for preflight information on its Web site.

"In short, the FS21 (twenty-first century) system is in crisis and failing pilots," said AOPA president PhilBoyer in a letter to FAA Administrator Marion Blakey.

The FAA, which recently fined Lockheed $9 million for deficient performance, is currently reviewing a request from the firm for an additional $177 million, citing what it said were incorrect labour rate figures given during the contract negotiations.