How often should you obtain ops and position information with a fixed wing aircraft?

Obtaining operational and position information from a fixed-wing aircraft every 30 minutes strikes a balance between maintaining situational awareness and managing communication workload. This frequency allows for timely updates on the aircraft's status and position, which is essential for ensuring safety and effective coordination, especially in dynamic environments.

Regular updates at this interval help watchstanders respond promptly to any changes or emergencies, facilitating better decision-making and operational readiness. While obtaining updates more frequently could provide even greater situational awareness, it may lead to communication fatigue or overload, especially if there are multiple assets in an operation. Therefore, the 30-minute interval is a standard practice that aligns well with operational needs and communication capabilities.