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 LHBP (Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j6QO0KU3DA
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 – LHBP (Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport).
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 11:30 UTC at Budapest.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Budapest Information Foxtrot, time 1130 Zulu.
Runway direction 31.
Expect ILS approach runway 31R.
Expect ILS approach runway 31L.
Departure runway 31L.
Delivery is closed.
Transition level 110.
Wind calm.
CAVOK.
Temperature 27°C.
Dew point 12°C.
QNH 1018 hPa.
No significant changes are forecast.
SIDs suspended:
VEDIK 2L / VEDIK 2R
VOLTY 2X / VOLTY 2A
LITKU 2X / LITKU 2A
Expect alternate departures from ATC.
Acknowledge Information Foxtrot.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (LHBP)
ATIS Information: Foxtrot
Time: 1130 Zulu
Runway in use: Direction 31
Approaches: ILS 31R, ILS 31L
Departure runway: 31L
Delivery: Closed
Transition level: FL110
Wind: Calm
Visibility/Weather: CAVOK
Temperature: 27°C
Dew point: 12°C
QNH: 1018 hPa
Forecast: No significant changes
SIDs suspended: VEDIK 2L/2R, VOLTY 2X/2A, LITKU 2X/2A
Notes: Expect alternate departure clearances
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- CAVOK conditions provide ideal visibility and weather for approaches and departures.
With no clouds below 5,000 feet and excellent visibility, pilots can expect stable visual conditions during both ILS approaches and general airport operations. - Suspension of multiple standard departure procedures impacts flight planning.
With VEDIK, VOLTY, and LITKU SIDs unavailable, aircraft may receive non-standard or radar-vector departures from ATC. This requires careful attention during the clearance phase and may increase cockpit workload. - Calm winds simplify runway operations but place more emphasis on runway selection rules.
With no significant wind component, ATC prioritizes traffic flow, not wind direction, resulting in the use of runways 31L and 31R for efficiency.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
What is the reported QNH?
A) 1023 hPa
B) 1018 hPa
C) 1009 hPa
✅ Correct answer: B) 1018 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
