RPAS on the Ground – Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS)

Definition (ICAO Doc 4444: PANS-ATM)

The automatic provision of current, routine information to arriving and departing aircraft throughout 24 hrs or a specified portion thereof:

• Data link-automatic terminal information service (D-ATIS). The provision of ATIS via data link.
• Voice-automatic terminal information service (Voice-ATIS). The provision of ATIS by means of continued and repetitive voice broadcasts.

Exercise

Using the relevant (current) aviation documentation, determine the telephone number for Archerfield Airfield (or other closest airfield with ATIS capability), and listen to the ATIS information.

If an air band radio is available, and the airfield is within range, the air band radio may be used to listen to the AITS.

YBAF Information

ATS communications facilities – YBAF:

• Archerfield Airport
• (ICAO: YBAF – 27°34′13″S 153°00′29″E)
• Brisbane’s secondary airport
• Located 11kms (6.8 miles) south-west of Brisbane CBD  

At aerodromes specified in ERSA the normal operational information required by aircraft before take-off or landing is broadcast on a discrete frequency, or on the voice channel of one or more radio navigation aids. The broadcast may be pre-recorded or computerised.

When control zones are deactivated the ATIS may be used to broadcast operational information of an unchanging nature. This information may include the CTAF PAL frequency, preferred runways and noise abatement procedures. It may also include the expected reopening time of the tower.

Pilots are encouraged to monitor the ATIS outside the normal hours of the tower.

Extracted from: https://vfrg.casa.gov.au/pre-flight-planning/flight-information-service/in-flight-information/

One Runway

• (Code letter)
  • ‘alpha’, ‘bravo’, etc; as assigned to each separately prepared transmission (zulu is not used).
• (Time (hh mm)) UTC, [(Time of observations (hh mm))]
• (Type of approach expectation)
  • For example: ‘expect ils approach’.
• Runway (number), [‘damp’] [‘wet’] [‘water patches’] [‘flooded’]
• Land and hold short operations in progress
  • When being used
• Holding delay
  • If appropriate, for example: ‘…minutes holding may be expected’.

Multiple Runways

• (Code letter)
  • ‘alpha’, ‘bravo’, etc; as assigned to each separately prepared transmission (zulu is not used).
• (Time (hh mm)) UTC, [(Time of observations (hh mm))]
• (Type of approach expectation)
  • For example: ‘expect ils approach’.
• Runway/s (number/s) and (number/s) for arrivals
• Runway/s (number/s) and (number/s) for departures, [‘damp’] [‘wet’] [‘water patches’] [‘flooded’]
• Land and hold short operations in progress
  • When being used
• Holding delay
  • If appropriate, for example: ‘…minutes holding may be expected’.

Extracted from: https://vfrg.casa.gov.au/pre-flight-planning/flight-information-service/in-flight-information/

Curfew runway nomination

• When runway is nominated due to noise abatement legislation and the crosswind and/or downwind component is in excess of that specified in ENR 1.1
• Crosswind and downwind components for the purposes of the above are:
• Crosswind component, including gusts = 20 kt;
• Downwind component, including gusts = 5 kt
• If the runway is not completely dry – downwind component > 0 kt.

Wind direction

• Wind direction is quoted in degrees magnetic as either:
• Single mean direction or Two values representing variation in wind direction will be given whenever:
  • The extremes in wind direction vary by 60° or more or
  • The variation is considered to be operationally significant (for example the variation is less than 60°, but the variation from the mean results is either a downwind and/or significant crosswind component on a nominated runway).
• ‘Variable’ will be used when the reporting of a mean wind direction is not possible, such as:
  • In light wind conditions (3 kt or less), or
  • The wind is veering or backing by 180° or more, for example passage of thunderstorms, or localised wind effect.

Wind speed

Wind speed is quoted as either:

• Calm when less than 1 kt.
  • For example: ‘wind calm’
• Single maximum value whenever the extremes between minimum and maximum are 10 kt or less.
  • For example: ‘wind 250 degrees maximum 25 knots’
• Two values representing minimum and maximum values whenever the extremes in wind vary by more than 10 kt.
  • For example: ‘wind 250 degrees minimum 15 knots, maximum 28 knots’.

Note:

• When quoting a wind with variations in speed and direction, the above criteria may be varied in order to indicate the true crosswind and/or downwind.
• Where threshold wind analysers are installed, and the wind at the threshold of a duty runway varies from that of the central wind analyser or the threshold wind on the other duty runway by criteria specified for the revision of ATIS, threshold winds may be broadcast on the ATIS.
  • For example: ‘threshold wind runway (number), …/…, runway (number), …/…’
• Where runway threshold wind analysers are installed, a tower controller must provide a departing aircraft with the wind at the upwind area of the runway if it varies from the ATIS broadcast by 10° or 5 kt or more, and the variation is anticipated to continue for more than 15 min.
  • For example: ‘wind at upwind end…/…’.

Visibility

Distance is reported as either:

• >10 km – ‘greater than one zero kilometres‘, or actual distance ‘(number) kilometres’
• Greater than 5 km and 10 km (inclusive) – ‘(number) kilometres’
• Up to and including 5000 m – ‘(number) metres’
• <1500 m – RVR is reported when available.

Present weather

Weather is reported as applicable. For example:

• ‘Showers in Area’; or …
• ‘CAVOK’; or …
• Full weather readout:
  • Cloud (below 5000 ft or below msa, whichever is greater; cumulonimbus, if applicable; if the sky is obscured, vertical visibility when available); and …
  • (Temperature); and …
  • (QNH); and …
  • [Other information]:
    • Any available information on significant meteorological phenomena in the approach, take-off and climb-out, including the presence of freezing fog
    • Advice on hazard alert information including unauthorised laser illumination events.

ATIS broadcast

Pilot must make a broadcast on first contact:

• On first contact with [‘ground’ / ‘tower’ / ‘approach’] notify receipt of (ATIS broadcast code)

This contact information may not  be transmitted when recording space is limiting.

Please revise the following presentations, which are most relevant to this element.