The Automated Flight Services Station (AFSS) network provides essential services to the pilots using the National Airspace System (NAS). These services include preflight weather briefings, airport advisories, and acceptance of flight plans.

After a 14-month study, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected Lockheed Martin and its principal subcontractor, Parsons, to upgrade its AFSS technology and 20 facilities in the continental United States, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The FAA announced the results of a cost comparison of its flight services vs. the costs of contracting the same services to outside commercial companies. The study concluded that the FAA would save more than $2 billion over the next 10 years if it outsourced its management contract for the AFSS network.

New electrical service to a hub site.	Rack and equipment installation in the FS21 server room.

As the nation’s leader in the design-build field, Parsons is responsible for the facilities portion of the AFSS project by providing architectural-engineering and construction services.

The AFSS project involves 20 sites within 2 phases:

Phase 1—Survey 20 Sites and Design-Construct 3 Hubs

Parsons is meeting all of its Phase 1 project milestones. We have completed our survey by visiting all 20 sites and have determined the condition of each facility, as well as the availability of utilities and space. We have also completed the design of all 3 hub sites. Onsite construction is 98% complete in Leesburg, VA; 91% complete in Fort Worth, TX; and 5% complete in Prescott, AZ. The construction completion date for the Leesburg and Fort Worth sites is late April, and the Prescott site will be completed in late June. Parsons met the primary project milestone—on time and within budget—when a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) was issued for the first 2 hub sites on February 15, 2006.

The work associated with the 3 hub sites is all new work within an existing shell of a building, and the footprints involved are between 42,000 and 52,000 sq ft. Most of the work requires wall build-outs as well as mechanical, electrical, communications, and raised floor systems.

Phase 2 — Renovate Existing 17 Flight Service Stations

Work on renovation of the existing stations scattered throughout the United States will begin within 6 to 12 months after the Prescott hub site is completed. The existing facilities (each about 10,000 sq ft. ) will be staffed with specialists and outfitted with all new equipment. After renovation, the 3 new hubs and the17 renovated flight service stations will be linked to share a common database, creating a super network that will now include Albuquerque, NM; Columbia, MO; Denver, CO; Honolulu, HI; Islip, NY; Kankakee, IL; Lansing, MI; Macon, GA; Miami, FL; Nashville, TN; Oakland, CA; Princeton, MN; Raleigh, NC; St. Petersburg, FL; San Diego, CA; San Juan, PR; and Seattle, WA.

The Parsons team provides a wealth of experience in engineering and construction management. Our years of continuous technical and engineering support to the FAA, coupled with our highly trained and adaptable workforce, enable us to succeed in meeting Lockheed Martin’s unique challenges.