From where are ATIS messages transmitted?
From where are ATIS messages transmitted?
Another strange question inspired by another strange question!!
I had always assumed that ATIS was transmitted from 'the tower'. And it always seems to be continually transmitted.
I found a strange question that asks from where can ATlS information be received, and the correct answer is 'at certain times from airfield VORs'.
It's not a problem, it is the only remotely possible choice from the answers, but I still find it strange. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks
I had always assumed that ATIS was transmitted from 'the tower'. And it always seems to be continually transmitted.
I found a strange question that asks from where can ATlS information be received, and the correct answer is 'at certain times from airfield VORs'.
It's not a problem, it is the only remotely possible choice from the answers, but I still find it strange. Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks
Heathrow arrival ATIS is available on OCK and BNN, not sure about BIG and LAM. In the USA, many airfields have an on airfield VOR and this also has ATIS.
Otherwise at smaller airfields in the UK it's simply an extra Tx at the airfield's own Tx site.
Bear in mind some are designated 'departure ATIS' and hence are transmitted at very low power as they're only meant for aircraft on the ground whilst a 'normal' ATIS has a DOC of about 60nm.
Otherwise at smaller airfields in the UK it's simply an extra Tx at the airfield's own Tx site.
Bear in mind some are designated 'departure ATIS' and hence are transmitted at very low power as they're only meant for aircraft on the ground whilst a 'normal' ATIS has a DOC of about 60nm.
Consult the AIP and you will see.
Yes, some VORs transmit ATIS info too, others don't.
EBBR Brussels Airport, for one example, has two separate 8,33 frequencies for Departure information and Arrival information; the Arrival information is also broadcast by 5 VORs.
Yes, some VORs transmit ATIS info too, others don't.
EBBR Brussels Airport, for one example, has two separate 8,33 frequencies for Departure information and Arrival information; the Arrival information is also broadcast by 5 VORs.
I heard that Liverpool ATIS machine was being replaced, so I asked if the old machine was available for our GA Club. Apparently they wanted to keep it as a spare.
It would be interesting to know how the pre-recorded messages are selected, I don't think it is done manually, as it would be a 24 hour task.
It would be interesting to know how the pre-recorded messages are selected, I don't think it is done manually, as it would be a 24 hour task.
The Brussels ATIS certainly sounds like being synthetic voice. But I suppose there is an option to intersperse a recording of exceptional messages, like taxiways not in use or so.
And yes, a laptop could do the job, like as not even a Raspberry PI could.
And yes, a laptop could do the job, like as not even a Raspberry PI could.
Last edited by Jan Olieslagers; 23rd May 2019 at 20:27.
Does anyone remember the wonderful voice on the Heathrow ATIS back in the early-mid 2000s, where the reader would say on a rapidly rising tone: "and wingtip clearance is.............................................(long pause, drop an octave)....................not assured". I can't remember the reason for it - perhaps someone can recall.
FBW
FBW
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Down at the sharp pointy end, where all the weather is made.
Age: 74
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
I can't remember the reason for it - perhaps someone can recall.
Dunno about the latter, but the former...
Heathrow was designed in the era of relatively short span aircraft with a complex inner and outer taxiway system. When larger aircraft arrived, there was an equally complex set of rules about what aircraft could taxy where. There were numerous incidents of aircraft slicing through rudders or other wingtips - I recall going to pick up bits when I was 'Checker' (seems like a lifetime ago now, was only the early eighties!) Hence the message. I look at a chart of Heathrow now and I don't recognise most of it.
TOO
Talking of Heathrow, the VOLMET (not the ATIS) was recorded by a guy in an office at the old north side radar unit (roughly where Compass Centre now stands)
Hot summer night so windows open; one of our guys just going home at 3 am after a 'first half'; accidentally beeps his horn as he gets into his car.
Office window flies wide open and a torrent of abuse is hurled at him; the bloke was just doing the next VOLMET and the car horn 'beep' went on the tape!!
I daren't tell you about the 'unwanted' voice recorded on the Glasow ATIS one night as I'd get banned from the forum.
Hot summer night so windows open; one of our guys just going home at 3 am after a 'first half'; accidentally beeps his horn as he gets into his car.
Office window flies wide open and a torrent of abuse is hurled at him; the bloke was just doing the next VOLMET and the car horn 'beep' went on the tape!!
I daren't tell you about the 'unwanted' voice recorded on the Glasow ATIS one night as I'd get banned from the forum.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Berkshire, UK
Age: 79
Posts: 8,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When I worked at Heathrow (long ago) the ATIS was recorded by the Approach Supervisors Assistant from the Sup's desk. One of our ATCAs was totally deranged and one Christmas he gave the ATIS broadcasts his own version of the ICAO alphabet, which resulted in an Iberia flight saying "Heathrow Approach, Iberia 512 approaching Ockham with information Fandabidozi" Great fun and the pilots joined in too
When I worked at Heathrow (long ago) the ATIS was recorded by the Approach Supervisors Assistant from the Sup's desk. One of our ATCAs was totally deranged and one Christmas he gave the ATIS broadcasts his own version of the ICAO alphabet, which resulted in an Iberia flight saying "Heathrow Approach, Iberia 512 approaching Ockham with information Fandabidozi" Great fun and the pilots joined in too
'Hark the Bealine four eight three - ee
Greetings to the ATC
Coming down to six zero - o
we have information Dee'
Well, it was about 50 years ago so perhaps the story can be told. I am in the RAF and go home on leave (to Scotland). Big friend works in Scottish Centre. Over a couple of beers the funny story emerges. It seems that Dan Air have a schedule that arrives at Aberdeen at 2225 and the airport shuts at 2230. So, it goes like this:
On hand over northbound Dan checks in with Scottish:
"Good evening Scottish, this is F****ing Dan Air 102".
Great confusion in Centre, Supervisor sent for, swearing on the frequency, never heard of etc. etc.
Supervisor, "OK Dan Air 102 you obviously have a problem can I help?"
"Call Aberdeen and ask them to play their latest ATIS".
There on the ATIS is the usual runway in use etc and, in the background is a loud voice saying "Where is that F****ing Dan Air 102".
Honour was satisfied. I would not have had the balls.
On hand over northbound Dan checks in with Scottish:
"Good evening Scottish, this is F****ing Dan Air 102".
Great confusion in Centre, Supervisor sent for, swearing on the frequency, never heard of etc. etc.
Supervisor, "OK Dan Air 102 you obviously have a problem can I help?"
"Call Aberdeen and ask them to play their latest ATIS".
There on the ATIS is the usual runway in use etc and, in the background is a loud voice saying "Where is that F****ing Dan Air 102".
Honour was satisfied. I would not have had the balls.
While we're waiting for more "back room" stories, the ghost of my English teacher is prompting me to point out that "From where" in the title, should really be "From whence" or for the really pedantic, just "Whence". 
https://grammarist.com/usage/whence-from-whence/
Whence, according to its conventional definition, means from where, so the phrase from whence is logically redundant. But this doesn’t stop people from using from whence, a phrase that has been common for centuries. When hearing the sentence Whence came you?, one may feel something is missing—specifically, a preposition—even though the sentence is well constructed without it.
Well, it was about 50 years ago so perhaps the story can be told. I am in the RAF and go home on leave (to Scotland). Big friend works in Scottish Centre. Over a couple of beers the funny story emerges. It seems that Dan Air have a schedule that arrives at Aberdeen at 2225 and the airport shuts at 2230. So, it goes like this:
On hand over northbound Dan checks in with Scottish:
"Good evening Scottish, this is F****ing Dan Air 102".
Great confusion in Centre, Supervisor sent for, swearing on the frequency, never heard of etc. etc.
Supervisor, "OK Dan Air 102 you obviously have a problem can I help?"
"Call Aberdeen and ask them to play their latest ATIS".
There on the ATIS is the usual runway in use etc and, in the background is a loud voice saying "Where is that F****ing Dan Air 102".
Honour was satisfied. I would not have had the balls.
On hand over northbound Dan checks in with Scottish:
"Good evening Scottish, this is F****ing Dan Air 102".
Great confusion in Centre, Supervisor sent for, swearing on the frequency, never heard of etc. etc.
Supervisor, "OK Dan Air 102 you obviously have a problem can I help?"
"Call Aberdeen and ask them to play their latest ATIS".
There on the ATIS is the usual runway in use etc and, in the background is a loud voice saying "Where is that F****ing Dan Air 102".
Honour was satisfied. I would not have had the balls.
In the middle of the ATIS recording, a phone is heard to ring and a voice says 'that'll be that F***ing Dan Air 102'.
In the same vein (sorry to stray off topic a bit) Dan Air positioning flights were always given the flight number DAN 99FA. A controller once queried this and, with comendable restraint, Capt Barry J simply said "we are empty" 
