Which ATC facility has no direct control authority over IFR or VFR traffic?

• A. Terminal
• B. Air Route Traffic Control Center
• C. Flight Service Stations (FSS)
• D. Control Towers

Answer: (C)

Flight Service Stations (FSS) primarily serve as information and advisory services for pilots rather than exercising control authority over aircraft. They provide crucial services such as weather briefings, flight plan filing, and enroute assistance for both IFR and VFR pilots. However, FSS personnel do not have the authority to provide air traffic control services, meaning they do not direct or control aircraft in the same way that terminal controllers, air route traffic control centers, or control towers do.

In contrast, terminal facilities manage air traffic around airports, ensuring safe takeoffs, landings, and surface movement. Air Route Traffic Control Centers provide air traffic control services for aircraft flying at higher altitudes between terminal areas, while control towers oversee aircraft operations immediately on and around an airport. Therefore, when considering the control authority over IFR or VFR traffic, Flight Service Stations distinctly lack such authority, making them the correct answer.