Flight Following and 24x7 Support

Welcome back to Jump Seat. This week, we want to take a moment to highlight Flight Following including how the team supports subscribers, what some of our customers think, and key highlights of the service. 

Have you ever wanted a dedicated dispatcher to oversee your flight? That question sparked the genesis of the Flight Following service. From its inception in 2005, the flight following team has been committed to supporting flight crews navigating tactical and operational challenges. The Flight Following team has since evolved into an enhanced service satisfying multiple operational requirements and meeting a wide array of operational needs. 

ARINCDirect Flight Following 

The Flight Following team is staffed 24/7 by a diverse group of professionals, including pilots, dispatchers, air traffic controllers, and meteorologists. By leveraging their extensive knowledge and years of industry experience, the Flight Following team excels in flight planning and international route validation. They provide proactive global mission support for all pre-flight, en route, and post-flight activities. 

Additionally, the team has developed extensive expertise in delay mitigation within U.S. domestic airspace by working closely with the FAA's Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) in Warrenton, Virginia. Our close proximity to the Command Center and our strong relationships with resources such as the NBAA Air Traffic Services desk, along with our status as Collaborative Decision Making (CDM) members, grant us access to many of the tools and insights typically reserved for the airlines and ATC. This enables us to provide exceptional support for our Flight Following customers. 

While Flight Following is an additional subscription beyond standard flight planning, it offers a comprehensive suite of services. These include proactive flight planning, detailed preflight weather briefings, real-time weather alerts, delay mitigation, aircraft tracking, emergency response escalation, and proactive communication. The team provides up-to-the-minute information on global events and conditions that may impact the safety, efficiency, and comfort of your flight. 

Our Flight Following team is here to make the tough days more manageable. They are committed to enhancing your operational efficiency on challenging days by delivering seamless support and proactive solutions. 

Standard Trip Flow 

Customer Success Stories

During a recent flight, all flights were delayed and given an EDCT to the South Florida area. The delays averaged 2 hours and were increasing. ARINCDirect Flight Following called us about the delays and possible route options. We were told by the Flight Following team that if we filed around a certain ARTCC the delay and the EDCT could be removed. We had ARINCDirect call the FAA Command Center in DC to confirm the routing and re-filed a flight plan. When we received the new clearance, we were told there were no delays, and we departed 15 minutes after our scheduled departure time. With some additional shortcuts by ATC we were able to land on-time with no delay experienced by our passengers. This level of expertise and professionalism is unmatched in the industry, and we are proud to be long time customers of ARINCDirect and the Flight Following service they provide.

Brent, Director of Aviation 

Gulfstream G-550  

International Corporate Flight Department 

ARINCDirect’s Flight Following service is a cornerstone of our Emergency Response Plan, providing critical support that enhances both safety and operational efficiency. The Flight Following team consistently delivers exceptional situational awareness to our crews, both in pre-flight planning and during active missions. Their proactive communication and real-time updates have proven invaluable on numerous occasions, directly contributing to the success and safety of our operations. I highly recommend ARINCDirect’s Flight Following services to any flight department seeking a reliable and professional partner in aviation support. 

Jesse Archambault, Chief Pilot 

Starbucks 

We love having the extra set of eyes on our flights with support from the ARINCDirect Flight Following team! The professionalism of the ARINCDirect Flight Following team was instrumental in the success of our historical flight. We safely flew a single-engine airplane for 90 days, made 37 landings in 19 countries, all with the dedicated support of the ARINCDirect Flight Following team. You are the best! 

Peter Teahen, Pilot 

Around the World: Flight To End Polio 

Flight Following Highlights

• Always Available: 24/7 real-time support via voice, email, and ACARS
• Comprehensive Weather Briefings: Detailed, consistent pre-flight weather briefings
• Full Flight Support: Monitoring from pre-flight planning to post-flight debriefing
• Emergency Response: Tailored ERP for immediate escalation of critical situations
• Daily TFR Checks: Proactive updates on Temporary Flight Restrictions
• Real-Time Flight Intelligence: Up-to-the-minute airspace, weather, and route updates
• Experienced Dispatchers: Licensed FAA Flight Dispatchers
• Seamless ATC Coordination: Proactive management of delays and airspace congestion
• Efficiency: Reducing delays and preventing disruptions
• Compliance: Meets IS-BAO and SMS requirements for real-time tracking without extra staffing

Did You Know?

• The Flight Following service started in 2005 with our first subscriber, a short two years after ARINCDirect was launched as a Flight Planning Service Provider. 
• While all Flight Coordinators are available for support in a reactive manner, our Flight Following staff proactively monitors for issues, finds solutions, and informs subscribers as early as possible. 
• Our Flight Following service assists customers in meeting IS-BAO and SMS requirements for maintaining contact and tracking in-flight aircraft, providing real-time tracking without the need for after-hours staffing. 
• Each Flight Follower is an FAA 121 licensed dispatcher. 

Useful Links

• Discover more information about Flight Following here.