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 EETN (Tallinn Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hIkw-Xs_ano
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 – EETN (Tallinn Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 16:20 UTC at Tallinn Airport, Estonia.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Tallinn Airport met report PAPA time 16:20 expect ILS approach runway 26EU
Runway 26 condition report time at 15:05. Runway condition code touchdown 5, midpoint 5, stop
end 5, deported touchdown 100% wet, midpoint 100% wet, stop end 100% wet, transition level
65, bird activity in vicinity of the airport. Wind 280 degrees 14 knots, visibility 10 kilometers or
more, cloud broken 3700 feet, temperature 3, dew point -0, QNH 1001 hectopascal. NOSIG.
Airport information PAPA. Out.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 3rd at 16:20 UTC,
– Wind: from 280° at 14 knots.
– Visibility: Ceiling and Visibility OK, Visibility is 10 km or more,
– No significant weather conditions.
– Clouds: No clouds below 5,000 feet or below the minimum sector altitude (whichever is
higher), No cumulonimbus or towering cumulus clouds,
– Temperature: +3°C, Dew Point 0°C,
– QNH: 1001 hPa,
– Transition level: 65,
– Runway: 26,
– bird activity in vicinity of the airport.
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Wind from 280° at 14 knots means a strong headwind component for Runway 26, improving aircraft performance during both takeoff and landing.
- QNH 1001 hPa is relatively low pressure, making correct altimeter setting especially critical for accurate altitude readings.
- Reported bird activity in the vicinity of the airport is an operational hazard that pilots must factor into their approach briefing and visual scanning.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
What special operational remark is included in this ATIS?
A) Runway wet
B) Bird activity in the vicinity
C) Strong crosswind warning
✅ Correct answer: B) Bird activity in the vicinity
✍ 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
