What is the recommended maximum duration for a standard ATIS message?

• A. 60 seconds
• B. 30 seconds
• C. 45 seconds
• D. 15 seconds

Answer: (B)

ATIS broadcasts are meant to give pilots the essential information they need quickly and clearly, without tying up the frequency. A 30-second duration hits the sweet spot: long enough to include the key items—wind, visibility, weather and sky condition, altimeter, active runway (and any approaches in use), plus relevant NOTAMs or hazards—yet short enough that pilots can absorb the data and move on to their next task without missing updates in a busy airspace.

Keeping the message concise also supports timely updates. When conditions change, a new ATIS transmission with the updated information is issued, and pilots are expected to use the latest information. Longer broadcasts tend to crowd the channel and increase the chance that important changes aren’t noticed.