A very useful service to pilots is Bristol Airports
ATIS Service. ATIS stands for Automatic Terminal Information
Service and it provides the pilot with information about
the airfield such as, weather conditions, the runway
in use, any special atc procedures in place as well
as additional activity around the airfield such as gliders,
hot air balloons etc. Click on the play button
below to hear a recording of the ATIS service from Bristol
Airport.
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A breakdown of the message
Bristol
Information acknowledge receipt of Information Victor
When the pilot is approaching the airfield, the pilot
will listen to and note the current ATIS details, then
when the pilot contacts approach the pilot will advise
approach that he or she has information ****. This gives
approach an indication that the pilot has listened to
and is aware of the current conditions at the airfield.
Advise aircraft type on first contact
When the pilot contacts approach, the pilot will advise
the controller of the aircraft type being flown.
Time The current time at the
airfield Runway in use
The current active runway being used for take-off's &
landings "Surface wind"
The direction the wind is coming from and the wind speed
- aircraft always (when they can) take-off and land into
wind to help maintain height and help with speed.
"Visibility 10km or more"
The visual range "Scattered"
The type of cloud cover current around the airfield at
various altitudes "Temperature"
The current temperature at the airfield "Dew
Point" The current dew point
"QNH" The altimeter pressure
setting for the airfield, QFE relates
to the altimeter setting at sea. "Threshold
elevation" TBA "Runway
Damp, Damp, Damp" Advising that all
3 sections all the runway are damp, this maybe different
at other airfields depending on the length of the runway
"Ground is closed" Advising
the pilot that Bristol's Ground movements frequency is
not active.
The purpose of the Transmission
The ATIS message is adaptable to reflect the current conditions
and activities at the aerodrome in question.
