Narrative:

ZBW sector 15 and sector 16 combined. Radar controller working a VFR aircraft who was NORDO. Radar controller called bgr FSS to request assistance with attempting to contact NORDO VFR aircraft. Radar controller called bgr FSS for 10 mins; utilizing all posted dial numbers. Bgr FSS never answered line. Washington flight data twice picked up the line attempting to use the circuit themselves; but contact with an FSS in-flight specialist was never made. ZBW supervisor made contact with FSS via commercial telephone. FSS stated they were very busy and it was taking up to 10 mins to answer all calls. Controllers working active ATC sectors need timely access to FSS support. 10 mins is too long to wait.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: ZBW CTLR EXPRESSED CONCERN WHEN ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT LCL FSS REGARDING NORDO ACFT WERE UNSUCCESSFUL.

Narrative: ZBW SECTOR 15 AND SECTOR 16 COMBINED. RADAR CTLR WORKING A VFR ACFT WHO WAS NORDO. RADAR CTLR CALLED BGR FSS TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE WITH ATTEMPTING TO CONTACT NORDO VFR ACFT. RADAR CTLR CALLED BGR FSS FOR 10 MINS; UTILIZING ALL POSTED DIAL NUMBERS. BGR FSS NEVER ANSWERED LINE. WASHINGTON FLT DATA TWICE PICKED UP THE LINE ATTEMPTING TO USE THE CIRCUIT THEMSELVES; BUT CONTACT WITH AN FSS INFLT SPECIALIST WAS NEVER MADE. ZBW SUPVR MADE CONTACT WITH FSS VIA COMMERCIAL TELEPHONE. FSS STATED THEY WERE VERY BUSY AND IT WAS TAKING UP TO 10 MINS TO ANSWER ALL CALLS. CTLRS WORKING ACTIVE ATC SECTORS NEED TIMELY ACCESS TO FSS SUPPORT. 10 MINS IS TOO LONG TO WAIT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.