FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Navigation and ATCEasy
A pilot is inbound to a Class D airport and tunes in the automated broadcast prior to contacting the tower. What is the primary purpose of this broadcast?
- ATo issue a clearance for landing
- BTo provide noncontrol information such as weather, runway in use, and NOTAMs
- CTo assign a discrete transponder code
- DTo provide radar vectors to the final approach course
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. To provide noncontrol information such as weather, runway in use, and NOTAMs
The Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) provides continuous broadcast of noncontrol information — weather, active runway, and relevant NOTAMs — to reduce controller workload and frequency congestion. It does not clear aircraft to land or provide vectors.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. ATIS is not a clearance; landing clearance comes from the tower controller.
- C. Transponder codes are assigned by ATC, not ATIS.
- D. Radar vectors are issued by approach control, not broadcast on ATIS.
ATIS
Automatic Terminal Information Service — a continuous broadcast of recorded noncontrol airport information for arriving and departing aircraft.
- Includes weather, runway in use, NOTAMs, approach in use
- Reduces frequency congestion for ATC
- Pilots should acknowledge the ATIS code when contacting ATC
Memory trick: ATIS = 'Airport Talks, I Simply Listen' before calling ATC.