[3] Communication is a vital part of the job: operators are trained to precisely focus on the exact words pilots and other controllers or FISOs use.

As a result, flight information service operator require an excellent and fluent grasp of English.

[6] FISOs have the same powers as a controller to aircraft taxiing or stationary within the airport,[2] when they are notified as being 'on watch', but may never provide commands to pilots in the air or on the runway(s).

[1] Potential FISOs will be required to undertake the following exams for their license to be issued and following these the license must be validated and maintained to be used: Complete first page of application form SRG1414[5] Pass, law & procedures exam[5] Pass, navigation & meteorogy exam[5] for a FISO licence – subject to passing the exam[5] Note: applicants also have to have an Aeronautical Radio Station Operator Certificate of Competence[5] Validation uses page 2 of the application form SRG1414, to apply for a validation examination by a CAA ATS inspector at a specific aerodrome, provided that a certified log of 40 hours 'hands-on' experience under supervision of a qualified operator, with a maximum of 4 hours in a day (see CAP427 Chap 2 Para 5.2), where no 'on the job' training prior to the issue of the FISO licence at will count towards the validity exam requirements.

[5] To maintain the FISO license, requires some basic requirement to me met: Exercising the privileges of the licence at least once every 90 days[7] A competence check every 24 months[7] In the event that a FISO fails a competence check, they will be immediately informed not to provide a flight information service, and steps will be taken by management, to provide re-training as necessary.