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 EPLL (Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/V5NgqDt6XaA
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 – EPLL (Łódź Władysław Reymont Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 18:25 UTC at Łódź Airport (EPLL) in Poland.
ATIS Transcription:
It’s Łódź information Romeo time 18:25
Runway in use 25
Expect ILS approach
Runway condition clear and dry
Braking action unavailable
Runway condition code 6, 6, 6.
Transition level 80
Wind 040 degrees 2 knots
Visibility 10 kilometers cloud broken at 3,700 feet
Temperature 6, dew point 4.
QNH 1017
For ATC clearance contact delivery 120.005
Confirm information Romeo on first contact.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 27th at 18:25 UTC,
– Wind: variable at 1 knot (very light and calm).
– Visibility: 10 km or more (excellent visibility).,
– No significant weather conditions.
– Clouds: Broken clouds at 3700 feet.
– Temperature: 6°C, Dew point 4°C.
– QNH: 1017 hPa,
– Runway in use: 25.
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- The use of Runway 25, combined with calm winds and clear weather, creates optimal conditions for safe and predictable operations.
- Visibility of 10 km or more indicates excellent conditions for both VFR and IFR operations, ensuring full situational awareness during approach.
- Broken clouds at 3,700 feet give moderate coverage but still allow for good visual references and light penetration.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
What is the reported visibility?
A) 5 km
B) 8 km
C) 10 km or more ✅
✅ Correct answer: C) 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
