Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS)
Contract Name: Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS)
Contract Number:
Sponsor: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Contract Expiration Date:
Program Ceiling: N/A
Type of TOs: FFP
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) collects and monitors vast amounts of information daily to ensure that the nation’s air traffic flows smoothly and safely. It also makes much of that information available to pilots, and provides them with a variety of other services.
One of the FAA’s most innovative programs is the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS), which CSC - under contract to the FAA - provides to tens of thousands of pilots daily. The toll-free service allows pilots to obtain current weather and navigational information and to file flight plans from a laptop or desktop computer 24 hours a day.
DUATS makes available the very latest weather briefings, Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) and other data from the FAA’s Weather Message Switching Center Rehost (WMSCR) and the National Flight Data Center (NFDC). The service ensures that pilots have access to the most current and accurate data they need to fly in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Pilots can also file flight plans through DUATS. The program allows pilots to store commonly used information so that they don’t have to retype the same information every time they file a new flight plan.
DUATS is accessible through Web DUATS, standard dial-in communication packages, CSC’s MS Windows-based Cirrus program, or direct Internet.
What Is Available
Weather Briefings. DUATS provides a variety of weather briefings in plain language (decoded FAA and ICAO). These include route and area briefings and selected location, state collective, and defined radius weather briefings. CSC’s plain language translations of the briefings have helped pilots understand METARs, TAFs, and other weather products since they were changed in July 1996.
Automated Flight Planner. CSC’s automated flight planner uses pilots’ performance profiles and basic flight planning information to generate the best possible routes and provide flight logs.
Flight Plan Filing. CSC validates and files the pilots’ domestic and ICAO flight plans (VFR, DVFR, or IFR) with the proper FAA facility. Pilots may file their flight plan as much as 24 hours in advance and up to 30 minutes before departure. They also may revise or cancel a flight plan up to one hour before departure.
Encode/Decode/Extended Decode. These features allow pilots to encode a location for the identifier and decode an identifier for the name. Extended decode provides additional information regarding the airport or identifier, which is extracted from the DUATS database.
Personal Profile Capability. Pilots may store a personal profile that includes their name, address, and telephone number; the aircraft’s tail number, type, special equipment, home base, color, and airspeed; and a personal access code and password. The use of a profile saves pilots from having to enter the same data repeatedly; it also helps in the search and rescue of an aircraft, if it becomes necessary. Pilots set up the personal profile when registering with DUATS; they may then update the information as it changes.
Administrative and Data Services. DUATS includes help screens, an on-line User’s Guide, and a Quick Path Reference List.
Color Weather Graphics. DUATS provides free color weather graphics, including Surface Analysis, Forecast, High Level Forecast, Low Level Forecast, Radar, and Weather Depiction.
Help Desk. Toll-free help is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-345-3828.
Why Choose CSC?
CSC is a service-driven organization that takes pride in developing long-term relationships with its customers. CSC works hard to constantly improve its products, and encourages its customers to participate in product enhancement. CSC has an extended track record of developing effective, reliable and robust customer solutions for the aviation industry. The DUATS team’s members are energetic and innovative, and key members have the power to make quick decisions to meet customers’ needs.
Who Is Eligible
Pilots must have a U.S. Pilot Certificate and a current U.S. medical report to use DUATS.
If you believe you have been denied access to DUATS unjustly, please mail or fax us the following information:
- Your name
- Your pilot certificate number
- A copy of your current medical report
If you do not have items 2 or 3, please include (a) the type and category of the aircraft you operate and (b) any other information that you believe should be considered. CSC will forward the information to the FAA for its decision.
How to Access
You may gain access to DUATS through any of the following ways:
Telnet
direct.duats.com
World Wide Web
http://www.duats.com
Dial-in Access
Use CSC’s Golden Eagle FlightPrep flight planner software or any other modem software to dial 1-800-767-9989. tstalvey@csc.com. You will be sent the program on CD.
Cirrus Software
For a free copy of Golden Eagle FlightPrep, CSC’s MS Windows-based modem software, go to http://www.duats.com/cirrus.shtml to download a copy. You can also call 1-800-345-3828 or email your request to the program manager (see below).
Contact
Leon Thomas
Program Manager
5000 Conference Center Drive
Chantilly, VA 20151-4723
Tel: 703.818.4971
Fax: 703-818-4593
Email: lthomas22@csc.com
About CSC
Learn more about CSC.