Flight Information Centre (FIC)
A Flight Information Centre (FIC) is a NAV CANADA facility that provides flight information service, alerting service, and aeronautical information to pilots operating within a designated flight information region (FIR). The FIC is the pilot’s primary contact for pre-flight weather briefings, flight plan filing, and en route information.
Services Provided by FIC
- Pre-flight weather briefings (current METARs, TAFs, PIREPs, SIGMETs, GFA)
- Flight plan filing and closing (call 1-866-WXBRIEF)
- En route weather updates via radio on appropriate FIC frequencies
- NOTAM information
- Alerting service — monitoring flight plans and initiating SAR if required
- General aeronautical information and pilot advisories
FIC vs. FSS
FIC is the primary phone and radio briefing service; FSS (Flight Service Station) is a local facility at specific aerodromes providing advisory service for aircraft in the vicinity. FIC handles the broader regional picture; FSS handles local aerodrome operations.
How to Contact FIC
By phone: 1-866-WXBRIEF (1-866-992-7433). By radio: FIC frequencies are published in the CFS for each region. Online flight planning and weather is also available through NavCanada.ca.
Related Terms
See also: Flight Service Station, Alerting Service, Flight Plan.