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 EHGG (Groningen Airport Eelde).
👉 Watch the ATIS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ucnSbEC_MuI
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 – EHGG (Groningen Airport Eelde)
This is a real ATIS message. It was recorded at 17:55 UTC at Groningen Airport Eelde, Netherlands.
ATIS Transcription:
This is ILDA Information Sierra, main landing runway 23, transition
level 45, wind 140 degrees 3 knots, visibility 10 kilometers or more,
clouds scattered 4,400 feet, temperature 6, dewpoint 2, QNH 1013
hectopascal, NOSIG, operational report, tower and approach
combined, acknowledge Information Sierra.
✈️ Decode the ATIS
– Time: 17:55 UTC
– Runway: 23 (main landing runway)
– Transition level: FL45 (Flight Level 45)
– Wind: 140° at 3 knots (light wind)
– Visibility: 10 km or more (excellent visibility)
– Clouds: scattered at 4400 ft
– Temperature / Dew point: 6°C / 2°C
– QNH: 1013 hPa
– Weather trend: NOSIG (no significant changes expected)
– Operations: Tower and Approach combined
✈️ Why is this important?
This ATIS is interesting because:
- Calm conditions – variable or light winds, good visibility, few clouds.
- Tower and Approach combined – typical for smaller regional airports.
- Transition level given – pilots must know when to switch from QNH to standard pressure.
✈️ Practice Question (Exam Style)
You listen to the ATIS. The question is:
Which runway is in use at EHGG?
A) Runway 05
B) Runway 18
C) Runway 23
✅ Correct answer: C) Runway 23
✍ 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
