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 PHNL (Honolulu International Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/syfnYlb9tmU
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 – PHNL (Honolulu International Airport).
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 10:53 UTC at Honolulu.
ATIS Transcription:
**Honolulu International Airport ATIS Information X-ray, time 1053 Zulu.
Wind 330 degrees at 3 knots.
Visibility 10 miles.
Few clouds at 2500 feet.
Temperature 27°C.
Dew point 17°C.
Altimeter 30.04.
Landing and departing runways 4 and 8.
Expect ILS or visual approach.
Advise approach on 118.3 if unable to hold short on 119.1.
Numerous cranes in the vicinity of Honolulu Airport.
Check NOTAMs for additional information.
Pilot weather update valid 4 hours.
More information available from Honolulu Automated Flight Service Station.
Advise on initial contact you have information X-ray.**
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Honolulu International
ATIS Information: X-ray
Time: 1053 Zulu
Wind: 330° at 3 knots
Visibility: 10 miles
Clouds: FEW 2500 ft
Temperature: 27°C
Dew point: 17°C
Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
Runways in use: 4 and 8
Approach: Expect ILS or visual
Frequency note: Contact approach if unable hold short
Warning: Cranes near airport
Additional info: Check NOTAMs / FSS available
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Multiple runways in use require careful taxi and clearance awareness.
When landing and departing operations take place on runway 4 and runway 8 at the same time, pilots must pay close attention to taxi instructions and hold short clearances to avoid runway incursions. - Very light wind can lead to runway selection based on traffic, not weather.
With wind only 3 knots, ATC may choose runways for traffic flow rather than wind direction, which means pilots must be ready for unexpected runway assignments. - Cranes near the airport represent obstacle hazards.
Construction equipment close to the airport can affect missed approach procedures, visual approaches, and circling maneuvers. Checking NOTAMs is essential.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
According to the ATIS, what obstacle hazard is reported near the airport?
A) Birds
B) Cranes
C) Mountains
✅ Correct answer: B) Cranes
✍ 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
