Farewell, DUATS

For many pilots, the transition likely wont be noticed. Popular electronic flight bag (EFB) apps like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot long ago went beyond what is/was available on DUATS alone and pulled in data and imagery from a variety of sources. That will continue. And the many other aviation weather services available from Jeppesen, The Weather Company and other providers arent going anywhere. In fact, if it wasnt for the success of DUATS, those other services might not exist, or might not be as ubiquitous as they are.

Editorial Staff

Monday, June 25, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA discontinued its DUATS (Direct User Access Terminal Service) on May 16, 2018, directing pilots to free alternatives like 1800wxbrief.com and aviationweather.gov for flight-planning information.
The impact of DUATS' discontinuation is expected to be minimal for many pilots, who often use more advanced electronic flight bag (EFB) apps or other commercial weather services.
The FAA released new Advisory Circular AC 90-66B in March 2018, which expands guidance for non-towered airport flight operations, including new midfield pattern entry procedures.
AC 90-66B clarifies that "any traffic in the area, please advise" is not a recognized self-announce phrase and should not be used by pilots.

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When the FAA’s direct user access terminal service (DUATS) first went on line in 1989, it was a big deal. Anyone with a 28.8 modem hooked to a computer could dial up an FAA-approved weather service and obtain their flight-planning information for free, without needing to speak with a human. It was a relatively slow, low-resolution service, but it worked.

We’ve all come a long way since then, but DUATS won’t be going any further. That’s because the FAA on May 16, 2018, discontinued the service operated through thewww.duats.com. web site.