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 EDDL (Düsseldorf Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HeOemHfLOI0
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 – EDDL (Düsseldorf Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 11:20 UTC at Düsseldorf Airport, Germany.
ATIS Transcription:
Düsseldorf information November.
Met report time 11:20.
Expect vectors ILS approach.
Runway in use 05R.
Transition level 60.
Expect intense bird activity in the vicinity of runway system.
Wind 350 degrees 8 knots.
Visibility 10 kilometers.
Present weather showers in the vicinity.
Clouds broken. 1600 feet broken.
2200 feet overcast.
3600 feet few.
Cloud height not available.
Towering cumulus.
Temperature 6.
Dewpoint 3.
QNH 1025.
Hectopascal 30.27 inches.
Trend NOSIG.
Information November out.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 28th at 1120 UTC.,
– Wind: from 350° at 8 knots.,
– Visibility: Visibility is 10 km or more (good visibility),
– Present weather: Showers in the vicinity (rain showers nearby but not directly over the station),
– Clouds: Broken clouds at: 1,600 feet, 2,200 feet, Overcast clouds at 3,600 feet.
– Temperature: 6°C, Dew point 3°C.
– QNH: 1025 hPa.
– Altimeter setting: 29.98 inHg,
– No significant weather changes expected.
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- QNH 1025 hPa / Altimeter 29.98 inHg shows a strong high-pressure system, ensuring accurate altitude readings.
- Despite nearby showers, visibility remains excellent at 10 km or more, giving pilots confidence in overall flight conditions.
- The multiple low and mid-level cloud layers (broken at 1,600 & 2,200 ft, overcast at 3,600 ft) are crucial for approach and departure planning.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
What is the reported visibility?
A) 5 km
B) 10 km or more
C) 3 km
✅ Correct answer: B) 10 km or more
✍ 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
