SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drone-atis-letter-code

An airport's ATIS changes from 'Information Alpha' to 'Information Bravo.' What happened?

The ATIS recording was updated with new information.

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  1. The runway was closed
  2. The tower switched to a new frequency
  3. The recording was updated ✔

Why: ATIS is a looped recording of local weather and airport information. Each new recording gets the next phonetic letter, so a new letter means new information.

Huh, didn't know that: ATIS is normally updated once per hour, or more often when conditions change.

The dad joke
Why did ATIS go from Alpha to Bravo? It wanted to keep things fresh.
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References

Answer: The recording was updated. ATIS is a looped recording of local weather and airport information. Each new recording gets the next phonetic letter, so a new letter means new information.

  1. Remote Pilot sUAS Study Guide (FAA-G-8082-22), Chapter 11 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/remote_pilot_study_guide.pdf
    This code is changed with every ATIS update.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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