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 RJTT (Tokyo International Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EruBWHDHyv0
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 – RJTT (Tokyo International Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 10:00 UTC at Tokyo.
ATIS Transcription:
**Tokyo International Airport Information Lima, time 1000 Zulu.
ILS approach runway 34L.
Visual approach runway 34R.
Landing runways 34L and 34R.
Departure runways 05 and 34R.
Departure frequency 126.0 from runway 05.
Departure frequency 120.8 from runway 34R.
Simultaneous approaches to runway 34L and 34R in progress.
Wind 180 degrees at 3 knots, variable between 130 and 250 degrees.
Visibility 30 kilometers.
Few clouds at 2500 feet, cumulus.
Temperature 21°C.
Dew point 18°C.
QNH 29.78 inches.
No significant weather observed at this time.
Advise on initial contact you have information Lima.**
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Tokyo International Airport
ATIS Information: Lima
Time: 1000 Zulu
Approaches: ILS 34L, Visual 34R
Landing runways: 34L and 34R
Departure runways: 05 and 34R
Departure frequency RWY05: 126.0
Departure frequency RWY34R: 120.8
Wind: 180° at 3 knots, variable 130°–250°
Visibility: 30 km
Clouds: FEW 2500 ft cumulus
Temperature: 21°C
Dew point: 18°C
QNH: 29.78 inHg
Weather: No significant weather
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Simultaneous approaches require precise navigation and strict ATC compliance.
When two parallel runways are used for approaches at the same time, pilots must maintain accurate tracking of the assigned procedure. Even small deviations can affect separation between aircraft. - Different departure frequencies depend on runway selection.
Pilots must verify the correct frequency before takeoff because using the wrong departure frequency can lead to loss of communication with ATC. - Very light and variable wind means runway usage is traffic-based.
With wind only 3 knots and variable direction, runway assignment is determined mainly by traffic flow rather than wind, which may result in unexpected runway changes.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
According to the ATIS, which runway is used for ILS approach?
A) 34R
B) 34L
C) 05
✅ Correct answer: B) 34L
✍ 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
