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 EDQC (Coburg Brandensteinsebene Airport).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PeWFqnAasfo
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 – EDQC (Coburg Brandensteinsebene Airport)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 14:50 UTC at Coburg Brandensteinsebene Airport, Germany.
ATIS Transcription:
Coburg Airport.
Automatic report, Victor.
Time 14:50.
Wind 350 degrees.3 knots.
Variable between 320 degrees and 030 degrees.
Visibility 10 kilometers.
Cloud, broken 2400 feet.
Broken 3100 feet.
Overcast, 3700 feet.
Temperature 4.
Dewpoint 1
QNH 1021 hectopascal.
Information, Victor out.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 28th at 1450 UTC,
– Wind: from 350° at 3 knots (light wind), wind is variable between 320° and 030°.
– Visibility: 10 km or more (good visibility),
– No significant weather conditions.
– Clouds: Broken clouds at 2400 feet, Broken clouds at 3100 feet, Overcast clouds at 3700 feet,
– Temperature: 4°C, Dew point 1°C.
– QNH: 1021 hPa.
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Multiple broken and overcast cloud layers (2400, 3100, 3700 ft) are essential for IFR pilots to anticipate descent profiles and minimums during approach.
- The variable light wind (320°–030° at only 3 knots) means crosswind impact is negligible, making runway selection more flexible.
- QNH 1021 hPa indicates a stable high-pressure system, ensuring accurate altimeter settings and generally calm flying conditions.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
What cloud layers are reported?
A) Broken 2400 ft, Broken 3100 ft, Overcast 3700 ft
B) Scattered 2400 ft, Broken 3100 ft
C) Overcast 5000 ft only
✅ Correct answer: A) Broken 2400 ft, Broken 3100 ft, Overcast 3700 ft
✍ 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
