Information Sierra
ATIS Training Series – 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.
💡 On the ICAO English exam, one of the tasks is to listen to an ATIS recording and choose the correct answer from 3 options.
👉 Remember: you can always ask the examiner to play the ATIS one more time. This is allowed and will not affect your score.
🎧 Watch & Listen on YouTube
We prepared a short video with this exact ATIS message from EHGG (Groningen Airport Eelde).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zdljAfQowJo
OR
🔊 Play the video on our website, listen carefully, and repeat the message out loud – 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.
ATIS Example – EHRD (Rotterdam The Hague Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 13:30 UTC at Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Netherlands.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Rotterdam Information Victor. Main Landing Runway 24. Transition Level 45. Runway 24
Condition Report at Time 13:30.
Runway Condition Code 555. First Part 100%, Red. Second Part 100%, Red. Third Part 100%,
Red. Wind 280° 8 knots. Variable between 230 and 320°.
13 knots maximum, 5 knots minimum. Visibility 10 km or more. Clouds scattered 800 feet. Broken
900 feet. Overcast 1800 feet. Temperature 6. Dewpoint 5. QNH 1015 hectopascal.
Trend temporary clouds scattered 1200 feet. Acknowledge Information Victor.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 13:30 UTC
– Automated weather report
– Runway: 24 (main landing runway)
– Transition level: FL45 (Flight Level 45)
– Wind: 280° at 8 knots (west) variable between 230° and 320°
– Visibility: Visibility 10 km or more
– Overcast clouds at 1,800 feet
– Clouds: Scattered clouds at 800 feet
– Broken clouds at 900 feet
– Temperature 6°C, Dewpoint 5°C
– QNH: 1015 hPa
– Weather trend: Temporary improvement to visibility (9999 = 10km or
more), No Significant Weather (NSW), with broken clouds at 1,400 feet
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Runway 24 in use – pilots must prepare approach and landing for the correct runway.
- Transition level FL45 and QNH 1015 – ensures correct altitude settings for safe separation.
- Cloud layers (scattered 800 ft, broken 900 ft, overcast 1800 ft) – important for approach planning and minimums.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
Which runway is in use at EHGG?
A) Runway 05
B) Runway 24
C) Runway 28
✅ Correct answer: B) Runway 24
✍ Exam Tip
During the ICAO English exam, you will listen to an ATIS message and answer a question
with 3 choices.
👉 Remember: you can always ask the examiner:
“Could you please play the recording again?”
This is allowed and does not lower your score.
📱 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 – ATIS, clearances,
and real pilot–ATC communication.
😏 Think of it as a legal cheat sheet for your exam – everything you need to feel confident,
but 100% allowed!
Download our APP
