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ATIS code progression

Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice question 7 of 15 on Operations / Radio Communications. ACS element UA.V.A.K5 · difficulty: applied. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Remote Pilot (Part 107) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONA remote pilot listens to the ATIS at a towered airport and hears that the current recording is identified as 'Charlie'. An hour later the ATIS is updated once. Following the code sequence described in the Remote Pilot Study Guide, how is the new recording identified?

  1. AATIS Bravo
  2. BATIS Delta
  3. CATIS Charlie, unchanged
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B. ATIS Delta

  • A — incorrect Bravo is the code that preceded Charlie; the sequence moves forward through the alphabet, not backward.
  • B — correct The guide explains that each ATIS update receives the next letter: Alpha is replaced by Bravo, then Charlie, then Delta, progressing down the alphabet, so the update after Charlie is Delta.
  • C — incorrect The code is changed with every ATIS update, so an updated recording cannot keep the same letter.

BACKGROUND

When the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) is recorded, it is given a code, and that code changes with every update. The study guide gives the example that ATIS Alpha is replaced by ATIS Bravo, the next hour Charlie is recorded, followed by Delta, and so on down the alphabet. The letters are the ICAO phonetic alphabet words. Because ATIS is normally updated once per hour, hearing a new letter tells the listener that the weather or airport information has been refreshed since the previous recording.

STUDY TIP

Treat the ATIS letter as a version number. Each update steps one letter forward, so you can always tell whether the information you have is current.

KEY POINTS

  • Each ATIS recording carries a phonetic-alphabet code letter.
  • The code advances one letter with every update (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta).
  • A new letter means the airport information has been refreshed.

SOURCES

  • remote_pilot_study_guide.txt ch11 "Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on 14 CFR part 107, 14 CFR part 89, and the FAA Remote Pilot – Small UAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22). Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.