UA.V.A.K5: Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS).

ACS Area V — Operations Task A: Radio Communications Procedures References: ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; AIMAeronautical Information ManualCloseFAA operational guidance and glossary material used to understand aviation procedures and terminology.; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Purpose of ATIS in Radio Communications

Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots.) is one of the core “sources for airport data” a pilot uses to prepare for operations at or near an airport. Along with aeronautical charts, the Chart Supplement U.S., and NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight., ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. helps provide current operational details such as communication frequencies, services available, closed runways, or airport construction. For test planning and real-world ops, know that ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. belongs in your pre-contact workflow so you are current on airport status before calling anyone on the radio. The Chart Supplement U.S. is the most comprehensive published source for airport details and is revised every 56 days; use it to confirm frequencies and services when planning, then use real-time ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. on the day of operation to capture current conditions.^[3]

Get the Automated Weather/Information Before You Call

Effective radio discipline begins with obtaining the airport’s automated weather/information before making your initial call. When communicating with a CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. Flight Service Station (FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.) that provides airport advisory/information services at a nontowered airport, pilots should first check the airport’s automated weather and establish two-way communications before transmitting outbound/inbound intentions. An inbound aircraft should initiate contact approximately 10 miles from the airport and report aircraft identification and type, altitude, location relative to the airport, intentions (landing or overflight), possession of the automated weather, and request airport advisory or airport information service. This sequence ensures the FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. (and all CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. listeners) can factor your actual intentions and that you’re working with the same current data set.^[8]

For situational awareness in the vicinity, pilots conducting other than arriving or departing operations at altitudes normally used by arriving and departing aircraft should monitor/communicate on the appropriate frequency while within 10 miles of the airport unless required to do otherwise by regulations or local procedures. This includes activities such as parachute operations, en route transits, or practice maneuvers. The practical takeaway: have the right frequency tuned early, get the automated data, and make concise position/intention calls so other users can sequence safely.^[8]

Advisory Services and Alternate Information Channels

• Local Airport Advisory (LAALocal Airport AdvisoryCloseAn airport advisory service that can provide local traffic and airport information.) and Remote Airport Information Service (RAISRemote Automated Information ServiceCloseA remote advisory or information service referenced in airport and flight service context.). LAALocal Airport AdvisoryCloseAn airport advisory service that can provide local traffic and airport information. is available only in Alaska at airports with an on-field FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. where there is no control tower or the tower operates part-time; the CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. is published in aeronautical publications. RAISRemote Automated Information ServiceCloseA remote advisory or information service referenced in airport and flight service context. may be provided to support special events at nontowered airports by request from the airport authority. If you’re operating at such locations, expect to self-announce on CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. and, when available, coordinate with the FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information. using the procedures above after you’ve obtained the automated weather.^[8]
• Automated weather and recorded briefings. U.S. airport observations (METARMeteorological Aerodrome ReportCloseA current airport weather report format tested on the UAG exam. and SPECISpecial Weather ReportCloseA special METAR-type observation issued when important weather changes occur.) are provided by automated observing systems, with human augmentation at select large airports. For short or local flights, recorded weather via Telephone Information Briefing Service (TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material.)—and in Alaska, Transcribed Weather Broadcast (TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references.) and TEL-TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references.—offers continuously updated recorded information. These sources complement ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots.: use them when ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. is unavailable, to cross-check conditions, or during preflight planning before you’re in range of the local broadcast.^[5]

Exam and Operational Implications

• Expect test items that tie ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. to initial contact discipline: you should obtain the airport’s automated weather/information first and then make your call—especially when working with a CTAFCommon Traffic Advisory FrequencyCloseThe frequency pilots use to self-announce near many non-towered airports. FSSFlight Service StationCloseFAA-certified briefing support for weather, NOTAMs, and flight information.—to report your position/intentions and that you have the automated weather, typically from about 10 miles inbound.^[8]
• Recognize ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. as part of a larger information ecosystem. The Chart Supplement U.S. (revised every 56 days) and NOTAMsNotice to Airmen / Notice to Air MissionsCloseOfficial notice about temporary conditions, hazards, or changes that can affect a flight. provide the baseline of frequencies, services, closures, and construction, while ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. gives the current, day-of-operation broadcast to align all parties on the same data set.^[3]
• Know alternatives. If ATISAutomatic Terminal Information ServiceCloseRecorded airport weather and operational information for pilots. isn’t available or you’re outside its range, use automated observations (METAR/SPECIMeteorological Aerodrome Report / Special Weather ReportCloseCurrent airport weather observations, with SPECI issued when important conditions change.) and recorded services like TIBSTelephone Information Briefing ServiceCloseAutomated recorded weather briefing information referenced in FAA weather material./TWEBTranscribed Weather BroadcastCloseRecorded weather broadcast service, especially relevant in Alaska references. during preflight and en route to maintain currency before you make radio calls near the airport.^[5]