Information Sierra
ATIS Training Series โ Learn Step by Step
This article is part of our ATIS Training Series. In each post, you will:
- listen to a real ATIS message,
- read the full transcription,
- decode the information (weather, runway, approach, warnings),
- and practice with an exam-style question.
๐ก On the ICAO English exam, one of the tasks is to listen to an ATIS recording and choose the correct answer from 3 options.
๐ Remember: you can always ask the examiner to play the ATIS one more time. This is allowed and will not affect your score.
๐ง Watch & Listen on YouTube
We prepared a short video with this exact ATIS message from EHGG (Groningen Airport Eelde).
๐ Watch the ATIS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ucnSbEC_MuI
OR
๐ Play the video on our website, listen carefully, and repeat the message out loud โ just like in the real exam.
What is ATIS?
ATIS means Automatic Terminal Information Service.
It is a recording at airports. It tells pilots about:
– the weather,
– the runway in use,
– special information.
Pilots must listen to ATIS before they call the tower. This makes communication faster and safer.
ย ATIS Example โ EHGG (Groningen Airport Eelde)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 17:55 UTC at Groningen Airport Eelde, Netherlands.
ATIS Transcription:
This is ILDA Information Sierra, main landing runway 23, transition
level 45, wind 140 degrees 3 knots, visibility 10 kilometers or more,
clouds scattered 4,400 feet, temperature 6, dewpoint 2, QNH 1013
hectopascal, NOSIG, operational report, tower and approach
combined, acknowledge Information Sierra.
โ๏ธ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 17:55 UTC
– Runway: 23 (main landing runway)
– Transition level: FL45 (Flight Level 45)
– Wind: 140ยฐ at 3 knots (light wind)
– Visibility: 10 km or more (excellent visibility)
– Clouds: scattered at 4400 ft
– Temperature / Dew point: 6ยฐC / 2ยฐC
– QNH: 1013 hPa
– Weather trend: NOSIG (no significant changes expected)
– Operations: Tower and Approach combined
โ๏ธ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Calm conditions โ variable or light winds, good visibility, few clouds.
- Tower and Approach combined โ typical for smaller regional airports.
- Transition level given โ pilots must know when to switch from QNH to standard pressure.
โ๏ธ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
Which runway is in use at EHGG?
A) Runway 05
B) Runway 18
C) Runway 23
โ
Correct answer: C) Runway 23
โ Exam Tip
During the ICAO English exam, you will listen to an ATIS message and answer a question
with 3 choices.
๐ Remember: you can always ask the examiner:
“Could you please play the recording again?”
This is allowed and does not lower your score.
๐ฑ Bonus for Smart Students
If you want more practice, try the ICAO4U mobile app.
It includes many recordings just like the ones you will hear on the exam โ ATIS, clearances,
and real pilotโATC communication.
๐ Think of it as a legal cheat sheet for your exam โ everything you need to feel confident,
but 100% allowed!
Download our APP
