ATIS Training – OPLA (Lahore -Allama Iqbal International Airport)

  ATIS Example – OPLA (Allama Iqbal International Airport)

This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 17:25 UTC at Lahore.

ATIS Transcription:

This is Lahore ATIS information Charlie at time 17:25.
DOR DME runway 18L.
Caution for possible bird activity around the airfield.
Caution for GPS interference and ground warning due GPS interference.
Transition level 60. Weather warning for thunderstorm with rain and gusty.
Wind till 18:00 UBC. Wind may gust up to 40 knots.
Wind 160 degrees 8 knots. Visibility 3000 metres. Light rain.
Cloud scattered 4000 feet. Overcast 10000 feet. Temperature 16. Dewpoint 15.
QNH 1013. QFE 987. Temper wind 130 degrees 15 knots. Maximum 40 knots.
Visibility 1500 metres. Thunderstorm with moderate rain. Few cumulonimbus 3000 feet.
Runway wet with condition cold 5. This was the Lahore ATIS information Charlie.

✈️ Decode the ATIS

– Time: 27th at 17:25 UTC.,
– Wind: Wind shifting to 130° at 15 knots, gusting 40 knots.
– Visibility: Visibility is 3000 meters (3 km), Visibility dropping to 1500 meters (1.5 km).
– Clouds: Scattered clouds at 4000 feet, Overcast clouds at 10,000 feet, Few Cumulonimbus clouds at 3000 feet.
– Weather: Temporary thunderstorms with rain.
– Temperature: 16°C, Dew point 15°C.
– Altimeter: 1013 hPa.

✈️ Why is this important?

This ATIS is interesting because:

1. Winds up to 40 knots in temporary conditions indicate potentially hazardous gusts.
   While the steady wind of 160° at 8 kt is manageable, the temporary wind shift to 130° with gusts reaching 40 knots can significantly affect takeoff and landing performance. Strong, sudden gusts increase workload, require precise control inputs, and can rapidly change aircraft behavior close to the ground.
2. Visibility dropping from 3000 m to 1500 m during thunderstorms affects approach safety.
   Normal visibility of 3000 m is already reduced, but temporary deterioration to 1500 m during moderate rain and thunderstorms greatly limits a pilot’s ability to maintain visual contact with the runway environment. This may require instrument approaches, stricter minima, and increased caution during final approach and landing.
3. The presence of cumulonimbus clouds and thunderstorms signals convective hazards.
   Few CB clouds at 3000 ft, combined with scattered clouds at 4000 ft and a thunderstorm warning, indicate active convective weather. CBs can produce severe turbulence, wind shear, lightning, and heavy precipitation—all of which can impact aircraft stability and approach planning, making this weather operationally significant.

✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)

You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
What is the reported visibility during thunderstorms?

A) 6000 metres
B) 1500 metres
C) 800 metres

✅ Correct answer: B) 1500 metres

✍ 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!