ATIS Report Explained | What is Information Zulu?

[@anthonyescribens]

I’m a student pilot and have now listened to hundreds of ATIS recording in an effort to train my ear to all the information delivered during the broadcast. It drives me insane how inconsistently fast and unclear the information is delivered across the 23K+ airports in the US, being that the information is critical to support takeoff and landings, you would think the information should be delivered very clearly, even if played less times within the 30/45/60 minutes they are valid; it would be interesting to know how many pilots (new and seasoned) actually sit there and repeat the message 2 or more times as I do now as a student pilot.

[@flywiththeguys]

I hear ya on that one. They can really blow through it fast. I usually only listen to it about one and a quarter times. First to listen to the whole thing, and then to validate the important stuff I wrote down, well... important to me. Broadcast identifier, wind speed / direction, altimeter setting, and any significant weather information. I plan a bit before I come, so I'm more or less validating what I found before, and getting any updates.

[@hamleg8499]

Thanks for this! I always wondered what that was

[@justinlewis9068]

Quick, informative and to the point! Great job!

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. =)

[@ArtManNL]

Finally I understand those identifiers. Thanks for sharing.

[@flywiththeguys]

Yea! No problem. Glad it was able to help!

[@josiahsalters]

I literally was searching everywhere online for this and couldn’t find anything!

[@bialagaspar7852]

Ñl

[@kevindavis8175]

Spot on about the “Any reason to go to the airport” line!

[@flywiththeguys]

I know right. I went twice on Monday and once yesterday.

[@ChrisGorges]

Thanks, I was just practicing ATC lingo and was curious about what ATIS meant, thanks for making a video about it!

[@flywiththeguys]

You bet! I got the question so much in the comments I knew I had to make it.

[@ChrisGorges]

@@flywiththeguys I appreciate the videos, I've been interested in flying for years but haven't pursued it until now and I've been watching a bunch of your videos and find them really informative and helpful, keep up the great work 👍

[@yeschigga5464]

As a student pilot from China，the ATC speaking speed really make me crazy！

[@richardherbst488]

We're working on that. Some of the older ATIS systems use a robotic voice that sounds like a 1960s video game.

[@elguindy]

Thanks a lot you are the only one who explained it cheers

[@flywiththeguys]

No problem. It’s one of the reasons I made this video.

[@lawrenceshdow]

So funny.. I'm watching first video.. Don't even get to the end and I go to Google what information zulu is... First google result; this video by the same dang guy!!! 😆

[@flywiththeguys]

That was the number one question in the comments to we made it happen.

[@loco6924]

Great video list! I´m new in DCS but to do patterns correct, i´s very useful to know your very good advices! Greetings from south germany!

[@flywiththeguys]

Welcome aboard! Glad you're finding the channel helpful!

[@alexweinstein6417]

Fly with the guys, interesting video. I am a big air traffic control fan. I have this app called live ATC. But I do have one question. Do you know of an app that I can get that will let me listen to that air traffic controllers, talking to the pilots from start to finish?

[@flywiththeguys]

Check out liveatc.net!

[@Ezel21love]

Oh man why it takes you lots of time to publish another video. I've been waiting for this one.

[@kurtreber9813]

I thought you would make mention of the OTHER Zulu information (which is mentioned in EVERY broadcast).

[@flywiththeguys]

You mean published time? =)

[@darrell20741]

I have a scanner, but you mentioned calling them on the phone, I had forgotten that.

[@leevilappalainen1755]

What does it take to fly a 2 engine piston/turboprop aircraft? Seen all your videos, really helpful.

[@Ninja-qm8bp]

That is called the multi engine rating. The first big requirement is to get your private pilot's certificate. After that, it can take as little as 10 hours to get signed off in a multi engine aircraft. Hope this answer helps!!

[@JoeyPilotYT]

I've heard pilots say "with the weather" instead of "information zulu". how would ATC know if you have the most current ATIS report if you say that?

[@flywiththeguys]

Thats up to the controller to verify if they want to. I've heard pilots also use "we have the numbers." The correct way to do it is to use the information identifier. At my tower, if you use numbers or weather, they verify what information.

[@jamesneatherlin5678]

Keep up the good work 😅

[@flywiththeguys]

I will!

[@benjaminredmond812]

so basically information Zulu is just a way for ATC to know your up to date on ATIS?

[@flywiththeguys]

Correct. And when they update it, you just give the new identifier.

[@youtubemail912]

Hi, i am an international student who’s studying in U.S to become a pilot. I wonder what information was about. Now I understand. Thank you !

[@amniaaz]

Hi Carol, Thanks for the information and I wonder what the upper age limit to become a pilot? I hope you will answer my question. Tank a's and have a great day.

[@flywiththeguys]

I don’t believe there is an age limit! You can fly as long as you maintain your medical. I’ve heard if guys flying well into their 90’s.

[@error.418]

Totally missed opportunity to do ATC comms when you got in your car

[@mlhbrx96]

So.....does the information get updated alphabetically? Alpha, Beta, Charlie...all the way to Zulu if needed, daily?

[@flywiththeguys]

Correct. It just cycles through. I read somewhere, but I couldn’t validate, that every 12 hours they just reset to alpha. But my airport doesn’t seem to do that. I’m sure there is some schedule or reasoning behind it.

[@Ichibuns]

It's updated every hour OR if anything major changes. Like runway change, cloud layer, wind shear, large amount of birds at the end of the runway, recent runway or taxiway closures, etc

[@dbdevkc]

@@flywiththeguys If they reset to alpha every 12 hours, they would never get past lima... so there would never be "information zulu". lol

[@austinb5458]

@@flywiththeguys It only resets to Alpha if there hasn't been an ATIS made in the last twelve, not every twelve

[@M3-16cutta]

Thanks for this info

[@flywiththeguys]

No problem. Hopefully it helped!

[@jeffgAdventures]

Future student-pilot that is amazed with the dated technology required for aviation. I understand why....but with ATIS...and glass cockpit technologies, why isn't this info available as text...via wireless or SMS? At least, as an option versus radio-only.

[@flywiththeguys]

They are for Airliners. =) But I Agree. It would be nice.

[@TerryD1023]

Wind question: When winds are stated in the ATIS, is that before correction for variation? So, if it says WINDS 090 at 12, would I have to then add variation to that to get the actual wind direction? What about METAR and TAF? Thank you!! Love your channel

[@flywiththeguys]

Good question! There's a saying that if its written its true, as in true north. But for spoken things, especially things critical to take off and landings, its given in magnetic. So ATIS would be given in magnetic relative to the magnetic heading of the runway. METAR and TAF would be true. It's not always the case, but a good rule of thumb.

[@TommieB1]

Pls explain the first 13 letters and the last 13 letters

[@flywiththeguys]

Of?

[@TommieB1]

Atis info

[@davidliu2243]

I'm going to have to subscribe ;)

[@mikesparks3398]

I’m doing a short film that I need 30 seconds or so of back and forth banter before a plane “Cessna”or close takes off

[@copacopa3]

Good video

[@flywiththeguys]

Thanks

[@JustPlaneSilly]

My wife doesn't let me wear sandals with jeans.

[@flywiththeguys]

LoL

[@hamleg8499]

Just Plane Silly I can relate Edit: I’m a teen, it was a joke....lol

[@davidliu2243]

I like to eat pineapples on pizzas.

[@davidliu2243]

I mean, I like to eat pizzas on pineapples XD

[@C901-r8i]

But it’s always information Zulu. I still didn’t understand why this Zulu, why not Bravo or Charlie? But in this video I heard Information Echo. Now you said anytime it changes it’s given a different name but like I said I always here Zulu and nothing else.

[@flywiththeguys]

If you fly at the same time, it's possible your tower is on Zulu every time. They typically start with the same identifier every morning. BUT, every hour it's supposed to change. Where do you fly out of?

[@loveyou-qk4bm]

hello zulo .this is carlos here...i go to your channel every day for sometime now.......i love your channel and hope it grows more and more.....could you please zulo be kind to ask you if i could have be a MODO on your channel..many thanks and hope to hear from your reply..many thankx and do please have a good day..all the best to you and family

[@JoeCnNd]

How is there a zulu with only 24 hours and that would be 26?

[@flywiththeguys]

They dont always start with Alpha. 😀

[@phxJohn2010]

Hey you guys are local!

[@flywiththeguys]

If you live around Deer Valley Airport, then YES!

[@phxJohn2010]

@@flywiththeguys I live about 30 mins west, in the Surprise area.

[@gohan440]

Haha, caught the edit, I've said system too.

[@flywiththeguys]

LoL I though the words popping on the screen would distract. So many systems, services, and acronyms.

[@gohan440]

@@flywiththeguys No doubt, it's a lot to remember. I happen to be a controller, might have something to do with catching those details.

[@rehmanzed]

I wish i can buy Beechcraft baron G58 and fly with my wife.

[@flywiththeguys]

HEY! Me too. =)

[@jimccc9467]

Me three

[@iamtventertainment6308]

You not gonna lock your door?

[@flywiththeguys]

Meh. The wife was home.

[@technologyinnovation9221]

Its a Decimal not point 😂😂✈️

[@davidliu2243]

bruh