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 KMSP (Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cs8oRDNFlfU
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 – KMSP (Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport).
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 11:50 UTC at Minneapolis.
ATIS Transcription:
This is Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport arrival ATIS Information Bravo, time 1053 Zulu.
Wind 320 at 8 knots.
Visibility 10 miles.
Few clouds at 3,400 feet.
Temperature minus 6°C.
Dew point minus 0°C.
Altimeter 30.00.
Simultaneous dependent ILS runway 30L approach in use.
ILS runway 30R approach in use.
NOTAM: Runway 4/22 closed.
Caution: Bird activity in the vicinity of Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.
All aircraft must read back all hold-short instructions.
All aircraft taxi with transponder and altitude encoding on.
Advise on initial contact that you have Information Bravo.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
Airport: Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (KMSP)
ATIS Information: Bravo
Godzina: 1053 Zulu
Wind: 320° at 8 knots
Visibility: 10 miles
Clouds: Few at 3,400 ft
Temperature: –6°C
Dew point: –0°C
Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Approaches in use: ILS 30L (simultaneous dependent), ILS 30R
Runway status: Runway 4/22 closed
Cautions: Bird activity
Taxi instructions: Transponder + altitude reporting ON at all times; read back all hold-short instructions
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Cold temperatures affect aircraft performance and ground operations.
With a temperature of –6°C, pilots must consider possible engine performance changes, braking effectiveness, and the risk of icy patches on untreated taxiways or aprons. - Simultaneous dependent approaches increase approach coordination requirements.
Operating both ILS 30L and 30R at the same time requires precise spacing and accurate tracking. Pilots must follow ATC instructions closely and maintain stable approach profiles. - A closed runway reduces airport capacity and alters taxi routing.
With runway 4/22 unavailable, both arrival and departure flows must be routed through fewer active runways. This increases the likelihood of ground delays and more complex taxi instructions.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS.
The question is:
What is the reported wind?
A) 280° at 12 knots
B) 320° at 8 knots
C) 020° at 6 knots
✅ Correct answer: B) 320° at 8 knots
✍ 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
