Automatic terminal information service

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Automatic terminal information service, or ATIS, is a continuous broadcast of recorded aeronautical information in busier terminal areas. ATIS broadcasts contain essential information, such as current weather information, active runways, available approaches, and any other information required by the pilots, such as important NOTAMs. Pilots usually listen to an available ATIS broadcast before contacting the local control unit, which reduces the controllers' workload and relieves frequency congestion. [1] ATIS was developed and adopted by the FAA in the mid-1960s and internationally (under the direction of ICAO) beginning in 1974. Before the adoption of ATIS, this information was routinely disseminated to each aircraft separately, increasing controller workload during periods of high traffic density. [2]

Contents

In the U.S., ATIS will include (in this order): the airport or facility name; a phonetic letter code; time of the latest weather observation in UTC; weather information, consisting of wind direction and velocity, visibility, obstructions to vision, sky condition, temperature, dew point, altimeter setting, density altitude advisory if appropriate; and other pertinent remarks, including runway in use. If it exists, the weather observation includes remarks of lightning, cumulonimbus, and towering cumulus clouds. Additionally, ATIS may contain man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) alert and advisory, reported unauthorized laser illumination events, instrument or visual approaches in use, departure runways, taxiway closures, new or temporary changes to runway length, runway condition and codes, other optional information, and advisories.

The recording is updated in fixed intervals or when there is a significant change in the information, such as a change in the active runway. It is given a letter designation (alpha, bravo, charlie, etc.) from the ICAO spelling alphabet. [3] The letter progresses through the alphabet with every update and starts at alpha after a break in service of twelve hours or more. When contacting the local control unit, pilots indicate their information <letter>, where <letter> is the ATIS identification letter of the ATIS transmission the pilot received. This helps the ATC controller verify that the pilot has current information. [4]

Many airports also employ the use of data-link ATIS (D-ATIS, introduced in 1996 [2] ). D-ATIS is a text-based, digitally transmitted version of the ATIS audio broadcast. It is accessed via a data link service such as the ACARS [5] and displayed on an electronic display in the aircraft. D-ATIS is incorporated on the aircraft as part of its electronic system, such as an EFB or an FMS. D-ATIS may be incorporated into the core ATIS system or be realized as a separate system with a data interface between voice ATIS and D-ATIS.

The ATIS is not to be confused with the METAR, which will not contain certain information such as the runway in use.

Sample messages

Example at a General Aviation airport in the UK (Gloucestershire Airport)

Information SectionDetails
Airfield this ATIS broadcast is forGloucester (phonetically GLOSTER)
ICAO spelling alphabet letterQuebec
Time (UTC)14:20
Runway in use25L (250º)
Circuit direction (general aviation)right-hand circuit
Wind speed and direction251º @ 5 kts
Visibility10 kilometres or more (maximum)
Cloud coverFew @ 2800 feet and broken @ 5000 feet
Temperature27 °C
Dew point 26 °C
QNH (pressure @ mean sea level)1020 - hectoPascals is dictated below 1018 hPa
QFE (pressure @ airfield elevation)1017 - hectoPascals is dictated below 1080 hPa
Other informationRequest to report altimeter setting in use on first contact.

Noise abatement procedures in effect.

Tower frequency: 122.900 MHz (departing aircraft)

Approach frequency: 128.550 MHz (arriving aircraft)

There is intense gliding activity in the vicinity of the airfield

Instruction to report you have information Quebec

International Airport Example 1

Example 2

This example was recorded on 11 July 2016 at London Stansted Airport during which time there were ongoing maintenance works taking place on the taxiway surface in a part of the airport near the cargo terminal; the ATIS broadcast reflects this.

Example 3

This message was recorded at Manchester International Airport on the 9th of August 2019

MessageExplanation
Manchester departure information papaIndicates the current information for all departing aircraft from Manchester
Time 1750hrs, automaticThe ATIS was last updated at 16:50 British summer time
Departure runway 23LThe runway in use for departures is 23L
Surface wind 290 9 knotsThe wind direction and speed is 290 degrees at 9 knots
Visibility 10 kilometre or moreVisibility is 10 kilometres or more
No cloud detectedNo clouds have been detected at the time of the ATIS update
Temperature +17, dewpoint +8Temperature and the dewpoint in degrees Celsius
QNH 1016Barometric pressure is 1,016 hectopascals
Increased bird activity has been reported in the vicinity of the airfieldBird activity around the airfield has increased
Acknowledge receipt of information papa and report aircraft type on first contact with Manchester deliveryTell the delivery controller that you have made a note of the ATIS when contacting them

See also

References

  1. Federal Aviation Administration (November 2008). Federal Aviation Regulations/Aeronautical Information Manual 2009 (FAR/AIM 2009). Skyhorse Publishing Inc. pp. 1–. ISBN   978-1-60239-298-4.
  2. 1 2 "ATIS Archives - AeroSavvy". aerosavvy.com. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  3. "Alphabet - Radiotelephony". www.icao.int.
  4. David Harrison (2008). Pilot's Guide to ATC. Trafford Publishing. pp. 276–. ISBN   978-1-4251-3270-5.
  5. "EUROCONTROL - Overview". Archived from the original on 2013-02-11. Retrieved 2012-06-04.