SilkySmooth

I have a question for you ATC guys on proper phraseology. I understand that, as pilots, ATC needs to know that we have the current weather information prior to takeoff. This is typically communicated to clearance on initial contact. For example "XYZ clearance, Delta 545, information Bravo, clearance to Atlanta." My question is, should we, as pilots, reinform you that we have the current ATIS when we contact ground control to taxi. The reason I ask is because often times ATC will again inform you of the current ATIS code on initial contact with ground control, as if they are expecting you to reinform them that you have the current information. Is ATC expecting us to reinform them, or does this only occur if the weather has changed? Thanks for any insight anyone might have.

ACEAV8R

I'm not ATC but after the ATIS reading, it tells you to "Advise on initial contact, you have information Delta". I don't think you would get busted from the FAA if you don't advise but if they wanted to make sure they'll just ask if you have the ATIS.

BoilerUP

Not an ATCer but I next to never said the ATIS when calling for clearance.

Your clearance is available 30 minutes prior to your proposed off time; its entirely possible that the ATIS will change between getting your clearance and calling for taxi. I always make sure to have the current news before we're ready to taxi, so that when the initial taxi call is made they know.

"Clearance, Wisconsin 3718 to Raleigh."


"Ground, Wisconsin 3718, Spot 13, Bravo."

And for the love of God, Allah, Buddah, and 8lb 6oz Baby Jesus will people PLEASE quit saying "Instruments to" or "IFR to" when getting a clearance for your 121 flight?!?

btwissel

i usually let them know the atis i have when calling for clearance and taxi. i do it for clearance since at the end they usually say "current ATIS is Tango," or something to that effect, so it save them the extra words. that and i think when you send a PDC you have to imput the current atis code. not sure on that, since we don't have it yet (heck, just got ACARS W&B thursday)

TheGreatChecko

At smaller airports, if I remember to, I'll tell them when I get the clearance, because its usually a quick turn and the chances the weather will change, especially if its good, are pretty low.

Now if I'm at a larger airport where changing the ATIS seems to be a hobby, I don't even bother because in the time I've pushed and contacted ground I've seen it change.

Checko

freezingflyboy

Not sure what kind of PDC program you're company is using. I've never heard of that. My understanding is that PDC is sort of "one-way only" from ATC to the magic box. Once you initialize it, it sends a query to the PDC box in the tower (at appropriately equipped airports) and the ATC box downlinks your clearance to you magic box. No further input required. In Canada, ATC affixes a little code to your PDC that you have to confirm with clearance or ground so that they can verify that you did receive the correct clearance. In our world, you still have to advise ATC on initial voice contact that you have the current ATIS.

In response to the original post, I usually just tell em what ATIS I have when i get the clearance AND when I call to taxi. It's no skin off my back to say it twice. To be perfectly honest, I think ATCers are just used to saying "current ATIS is X" when you call and they don't hear the code from you even though you might have talked to the exact same guy 10 minutes earlier to copy your clearance. Regardless, is it really that big a deal for you to have to say "bravo" two times?

Droog

Some other ATCers may disagree, but to me personally it is not that big of an issue if you state the ATIS code on initial contact or not. At my facility we just write the code on your flight strip when you say that you have it, and if I'm working ground control I try to make sure that you have the latest ATIS before I switch you to the tower (I'll usually just say "pick up ATIS so and so and monitor tower").

flyviper

I always advise when I pick up the clearance because he always state..Information Bravo is current...I also advise when I contact ground as well, just to save them a little time...Does it really take up a lot of airwave simply saying...Piedmont 4221, Bravo, spot 12 taxi as compared to Piedmont 4221, spot 12 taxi? Just my take.

TonyWilliams

I spent a couple of years playing ATC, and without actually looking in the ATC bible, FAA Order 7110.65, I can tell you that terminal facilities are supposed to get the ATIS on "initial" contact.

Enroute centers are different.

Anyhoo, as a pilot, I just give it both to clearance and ground (sometimes ramp, too). Easy. And even if you do that EVERY SINGLE TIME, many times the controller will give you the ATIS anyway. They have to cover their *ss, so it becomes a reflex action to just always do it.

My ATC reflex action in the tower was to always say, "confirm you have ATIS XXX", even if they just got through saying it.

POPA

His company doesn't use PDCs. Such information was stated in his post immediately following the part you put in bold print. Isn't reading comprehension great?