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 LBSF (Sofia Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ks7h9WPME8
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 – LBSF (Sofia Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 11:00 UTC at Sofia.
ATIS Transcription:
**This is Sofia Information Whiskey, ATIS report at 1100 Zulu.
ILS Zulu approach.
Runway 27 in use.
Caution: flock of birds in the vicinity of the runway, altitude unknown.
Transition level 130.
Wind at touchdown zone runway 27: 350 degrees at 3 knots, variable between 230 degrees and 020 degrees.
Visibility 10 kilometers.
Clouds scattered at 3,100 feet.
Broken at 4,200 feet.
Temperature 20°C.
Dew point 16°C.
QNH 1015 hectopascals.
Trend: no significant changes.
Runway condition report at 0701 Zulu:
Runway condition code 5 / 5 / 5.
Touchdown zone 100% wet.
Midpoint 100% wet.
Stop end 100% wet.
Inform Sofia Approach that you have Information Whiskey.**
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Sofia Airport
ATIS Information: Whiskey
Time: 1100 Zulu
Approach: ILS Zulu
Runway in use: 27
Wind: 350° at 3 knots, variable between 230° and 020°
Visibility: 10 km
Clouds: SCT 3100 ft; BKN 4200 ft
Temperature: 20°C
Dew point: 16°C
QNH: 1015 hPa
Trend: NOSIG
Runway condition: 5 / 5 / 5, fully wet
Hazard: Bird activity near runway
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Wet runway conditions require careful landing performance calculations.
Even though braking action is reported as good with a runway condition code of 5/5/5, a fully wet surface across all runway sections can still increase stopping distance and reduce friction. - Bird activity poses a significant safety hazard.
A flock of birds near the runway with unknown altitude increases the risk of bird strikes during takeoff and landing, requiring heightened visual scanning and readiness for evasive action. - Variable wind conditions can affect approach stability.
Although wind speed is low, variability between 230° and 020° may cause slight directional changes during final approach, requiring continuous corrections.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
According to the ATIS, what is the runway condition?
A) Dry with braking action 6/6/6
B) Wet with braking action 5/5/5
C) Contaminated with braking action 3/3/3
✅ Correct answer: B) Wet with braking action 5/5/5
✍ 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
