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 EDMA (Augsburg Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/C89KuDftpOI
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 – EDMA (Augsburg Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 14:50 UTC at Augsburg Airport, Germany.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Augsburg Airport. Information Tango. Time 1450 runway 25 in use. Transition level 60.
Wind runway 25 touch down zone 040 degrees 4 knots.
Stop end 320 degrees 4 knots. Variable between 300 degrees and 010 degrees. Visibility runway
Touchdown zone 10 kilometers.
Stop end 10 kilometers. Light showers of rain. Cloud scattered 2600 feet. Broken 3400 feet.
Temperature 4, dew point 1, QNH 1021 hectopascal. Information Tango out.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 28th at 1450 UTC,
– Wind: from 030° at 4 knots (light wind),
– Visibility: Visibility is 10 km or more (good visibility).
– Light rain showers,
– Clouds: Scattered clouds at 2600 feet, Broken clouds at 3400 feet.
– Temperature: 4°C, Dew point 1°C.
– QNH: 1021 hPa,
– Transition level: 60,
– Runway: 25 in use
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Light rain showers with good visibility (10 km or more) show that precipitation is present but not a limiting factor for approach or departure.
- The broken cloud layer at 3,400 ft is crucial for IFR pilots to anticipate when they’ll break through the clouds during approach.
- Runway 25 in use with a light headwind from 030° at 4 knots means operations are safe with minimal crosswind, supporting smoother landings.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
What is the reported QNH?
A) 1024 hPa
B) 1021 hPa
C) 1016 hPa
✅ Correct answer: B) 1012 hPa
✍ 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
