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 KDAB (Daytona Beach International Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/w8Ycpj5Cx6k
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 – KDAB (Daytona Beach International Airport).
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 06:53 UTC at Daytona Beach.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Daytona Beach International Airport ATIS Information Papa, time 0653 Zulu.
Wind 130 degrees at 4 knots.
Visibility 6 miles.
Mist.
Ceiling broken at 4,100 feet.
Temperature 18.
Dew point 18.
Altimeter 30.12.
Visual approach runway 7 Left.
Landing and departing runway 7 Left.
NOTAM: runway 7 Left wide slope out of service.
Multiple cranes in the vicinity of Daytona Beach International Airport.
Runway 7 Left field condition report: condition code 5 / 5 / 5.
Advise ATC you have Information Papa.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB)
ATIS information: Papa
Time: 0653 Zulu
Wind: 130 degrees at 4 knots
Visibility: 6 miles
Weather: Mist
Clouds: Broken at 4,100 feet
Temperature: 18°C
Dew point: 18°C
Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
Approach in use: Visual approach
Landing runway: 7 Left
Departure runway: 7 Left
NOTAMs: Runway 7 Left wide slope out of service; multiple cranes in the vicinity of the airport
Runway condition: Runway 7 Left condition code 5 / 5 / 5
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Mist and saturated air conditions
The presence of mist combined with a temperature and dew point both at 18°C indicates fully saturated air. While current visibility is reported as 6 miles, these conditions can deteriorate rapidly, potentially leading to fog or further visibility reduction. Pilots must remain prepared for sudden changes, particularly during approach and landing. - Broken ceiling at 4,100 feet
A broken cloud layer at 4,100 feet places the airport in marginal VFR conditions. This ceiling limits vertical maneuvering space and may affect visual approaches, especially for pilots transitioning from instrument references to visual cues. Crews should be prepared to revert to an instrument approach if visual conditions degrade. - Visual approach in use
Visual approaches require continuous visual contact with the runway environment. In misty conditions with a broken ceiling, maintaining visual reference can be challenging, increasing pilot workload and requiring heightened situational awareness. Any reduction in visibility could invalidate the visual approach and necessitate a change in procedure.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
What is the reported runway condition code for runway 7 Left?
A) 3 / 3 / 3
B) 5 / 5 / 5
C) 2 / 5 / 2
✅ Correct answer: B) 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
