ATIS stands for Automatic Terminal Information Service, a recorded broadcast that gives pilots the latest routine airport information. It matters because it lets many pilots receive the same weather, runway, and operational details without tying up the air traffic control frequency. Student pilots use ATIS before contacting ground, tower, approach, or departure control.
The broadcast repeats on a loop and is identified by a phonetic alphabet letter such as Information Alpha or Information Bravo.
Key Facts
- ATIS = Automatic Terminal Information Service.
- Pilots listen to ATIS before first contact with ATC at airports that provide it.
- Each ATIS update is assigned a phonetic code letter, such as Information Charlie.
- Typical ATIS content includes time, wind, visibility, clouds, temperature, dew point, altimeter, runways in use, approaches, and notices.
- Headwind component = wind speed x cos(angle between wind and runway).
- Crosswind component = wind speed x sin(angle between wind and runway).
Vocabulary
- ATIS
- Automatic Terminal Information Service is a recorded airport broadcast that gives current weather and operational information to pilots.
- Information Code
- An information code is the phonetic alphabet letter assigned to the current ATIS recording so controllers know which version a pilot has received.
- Altimeter Setting
- The altimeter setting is the local pressure value pilots enter into the altimeter so it reads the correct airport elevation when on the ground.
- Runway in Use
- The runway in use is the runway selected for takeoffs and landings based on wind, traffic flow, and airport operations.
- NOTAM
- A NOTAM is a notice to air missions that alerts pilots to temporary or important changes such as closed taxiways, equipment outages, or construction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling ATC without the current ATIS code is a mistake because the controller may need to repeat information that was already broadcast.
- Assuming the ATIS is unchanged is a mistake because weather, runway use, and airport notices can update quickly.
- Ignoring the altimeter setting is a mistake because an incorrect pressure setting can make the indicated altitude wrong.
- Reading back the ATIS letter without understanding the content is a mistake because pilots must apply the runway, weather, and notice information to safe decision making.
Practice Questions
- 1 A pilot hears wind 270 at 12 knots and plans to use runway 27. Using headwind component = wind speed x cos(angle), what is the headwind component?
- 2 A pilot hears wind 240 at 20 knots and plans to use runway 27, whose heading is about 270 degrees. Using crosswind component = wind speed x sin(angle), estimate the crosswind component.
- 3 A pilot listened to Information Bravo 15 minutes ago, but the tower now says Information Charlie is current. Explain why the pilot should get the new ATIS before taxi or takeoff.