ATIS Training – KJFK (Kennedy International Airport)

  ATIS Example – KJFK (Kennedy International Airport)

This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 12:11 UTC at New York.

ATIS Transcription:

This is John F. Kennedy International Airport ATIS Information Quebec.
Wind 200 at 12.
Visibility 5 miles, rain.
Ceiling 1,500 feet broken.
Clouds 6,000 feet broken.
Clouds 10,000 feet overcast.
Temperature 19°C.
Dew point 16°C.
Altimeter 30.02.
Approach in use: ILS runway 22L and ILS runway 22R.
Departing runway 22R.
NOTAMs:
Hazardous weather information for the New York metropolitan area available on flight service frequencies. Severe Weather Avoidance Plan in effect — expect clear routes.
Air missions active for Kennedy Airport; contact flight service for details.
Multiple cranes operating in and around the airport vicinity.
Read back all runway hold-short instructions.
Advise on initial contact that you have Information Quebec.

✈️ Decode the ATIS

Airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (KJFK)
ATIS Information: Quebec
Wind: 200° at 12 knots
Visibility: 5 miles in rain
Clouds: Broken at 1,500 ft; broken at 6,000 ft; overcast at 10,000 ft
Temperature: 19°C
Dew point: 16°C
Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
Approach in use: ILS runway 22L and 22R
Departure runway: 22R
Operational Notes: Severe Weather Avoidance Plan active, hazardous weather information available on flight service frequencies, cranes operating around the airport, hold-short readbacks required

✈️ Why is this important?

This ATIS is interesting because:

1. The combination of rain and 5-mile visibility affects approach precision and runway awareness.
   Reduced visibility requires pilots to rely more heavily on instrument guidance, particularly during ILS approaches to runways 22L and 22R. Maintaining situational awareness becomes critical when visual cues are degraded by precipitation.
2. Low cloud ceilings impose stricter approach minima.
   A broken layer at 1,500 feet means descent through clouds will occur close to minimums, increasing cockpit workload and requiring stable, accurate approach profiles.
3. The Severe Weather Avoidance Plan significantly impacts routing and ATC workload.
   With the plan in effect, pilots may encounter ATC reroutes or delays as controllers manage traffic around convective weather. Clear-route expectations require pilots to be prepared for amended flight paths.

✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)

You listen to the ATIS.

The question is:
What is the reported ceiling?

A) 10,000 feet overcast
B) 6,000 feet broken
C) 1,500 feet broken

✅ Correct answer: C) 1,500 feet broken

✍ 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!