atis

ATIS, short for Automatic Terminal Information Service, is a continuous automated broadcast that provides essential information to pilots at or near controlled airports. It is designed to reduce voice traffic on air traffic control frequencies by delivering weather, runway, and other operational information in advance of formal contact with the tower or approach control.

A typical ATIS broadcast includes weather data such as wind, visibility, cloud ceiling, temperature, dew point, and altimeter setting, as well as active runways, available approaches, and any prevailing runways in use. It may also include NOTAMs, available services, and special notices relevant to arriving or departing aircraft. The exact content varies by airport and region, and some broadcasts may combine weather data from METARs with local observations. ATIS transmissions are usually automated and are updated whenever significant changes occur, such as a change in weather, runway configuration, or other critical information.

When operating at a controlled airport, pilots listen to the ATIS information before contacting ATC. Each update is assigned a unique identifier, often a letter (for example Information Bravo), and pilots are expected to acknowledge the current ATIS identifier when they report their position or request clearance. This aids in ensuring all parties are referencing the same data. ATIS is not interactive; for more detailed weather briefing or non-standard requests, pilots may consult a flight service station, fill in NOTAMs, or request assistance from ATC.

ATIS is part of the broader weather information ecosystem for aviation, complementing ground-based weather systems like ASOS and AWOS, and coordinating with METAR data and NOTAMs to support safe flight operations.