Atis/awos

[wlawr005]

Would anyone mind explaining the difference between ATIS and AWOS? From what I have read on the internet, it seems that AWOS is an automatic voice recording while ATIS is someone actually reading off a computer screen. Every ATIS I've ever heard sounded recorded to me.

Clarification?

 

[AJTranny]

The simple version is that ATIS is manually derived observations by humans that are then recorded for pilot use. It may be a human or computer voice, but human observation. AWOS, I believe, uses special sensors that automatically observe the weather and then records it for our listening pleasure.

 

[mmx1]

You won't get terminal information (duty runway, approaches in use, etc) from AWOS as it's not necessarily tied to an airport.

 

[Jim123]

Would anyone mind explaining the difference between ATIS and AWOS? From what I have read on the internet, it seems that AWOS is an automatic voice recording while ATIS is someone actually reading off a computer screen. Every ATIS I've ever heard sounded recorded to me.

Clarification?

You're not crazy.

The synthesized voice AITSes are only a few years old but it is still a person typing in the message into the computer. There are still a few human voice ones out there... and by the way when the human voice ones are bad they are very bad (hard to understand, slurred speech, background noise).

Just to confuse things some ASOS and AWOS include pre-recorded remarks (ie. "100 foot crane near runway xx") at the end of every broadcast and these might be human voice or electronic... There are a few different manufacturers for these things with different features in addition to what the


AIM 7-1-12

http://books.google.com/books?id=cH...&dq=aim+7-1-12#v=onepage&q=aim 7-1-12&f=false


Of course the best kind is the human voice on UNICOM "winds are xx altimeter xx, no reported traffic, come on in y'all we have some hot chili on and bbq..."

 

[wlawr005]

Cool, thanks for the replies and info. I guess it doesn't matter what the difference is as long as the info is good/understandable.

 

[insanebikerboy]

If I remember correctly, AWOS can't report SKC, only CLR, with the difference being CLR means no clouds below 12k. Also, AWOS will only report visibility up to 6 miles.

 

[Makk85]

The important difference I was always told from a guy that actually ran the ATIS, in my days as a CFI, is that an ATIS has a human interaction and thus contains more reliable information, where an AWOS/ASOS is a computer reading from sensors. Sensors are not always totally reliable on their own, and sometimes a guy sticking his head out the door can make all the difference.

For example on calm summer nights you may get 1/4 Vis readings from some stations and 6+ from another airport right next door. Chances are this is because the one reading 1/4 is an automated station that is detecting a little bit of haze just a foot or so above the ground where the ATIS has a guy that can look out and see it is clear as can be for all practical purposes.

Point being you can usually trust an ATIS over an AWOS.

 

[A4sForever]

.... ATIS has a human interaction and thus contains more reliable information.... Point being you can usually trust an ATIS over an AWOS.

Right ... unless the ATIS is wrong.

I.e., ATIS has the wrong info and/or the wrong runway 'cause it hasn't been updated in a timely fashion (for example) ... which has happened to me more times than I'd like --- ALWAYS pay attention to how you're getting set up inbound to a field and/or at altitude by controllers for an approach -- if it doesn't seem 'right', that's probably 'cause it's NOT ...

Never take anything for granted in Aviation. Always verify things, especially those that seem somewhat 'askew' ...

 

[webmaster]

][/B]Never take anything for granted in Aviation. Always verify things, especially those that seem somewhat 'askew' ...

OR... the conditions aren't what were reported, specifically winds. I don't know how many times over the years I have asked for another runway to land on due to winds. Come on tower, no, I really don't want to land with that 15 knot tail wind.

I personally HATE the fast talkers on ATIS, and the inDUHviduals that sound like they are eating a sandwhich while trying to talk. Though, there have been times that it was funny to hear some of the background conversations in the tower/ground that turn up on ATIS that you can hear loud and clear

 

[hokieav8r]

Ironically, Wikipedia comes higher in search results for ATIS AWOS ASOS where defined

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_airport_weather_station

check it out for the simple definition of these stations. Some notable differences are "surface observation" vs "weather observation". Run by the FAA, computer generated. Would also be impressive if you were able to answer some addition questions when interpriting the METAR under REMARKS when knowing the difference between A01 A02 is which is without or with precipitation discriminator and generated METAR by the same systems. ATIS is usually human voice recorded in the slower airports but larger airports now have the computer generated voice that gives you, in addition to weather, the same important terminal information that is usually also covered in NOTAMS for that airport, as well as telling you which approach, departure, and RWY in use. It is in the AIM as well. but I didn't bother to look, since I've used these all over the country in the last few weeks especially. Clear as mud.

 

[wlawr005]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_airport_weather_station

check it out for the simple definition of these stations. Some notable differences are "surface observation" vs "weather observation". Run by the FAA, computer generated. Would also be impressive if you were able to answer some addition questions when interpriting the METAR under REMARKS when knowing the difference between A01 A02 is which is without or with precipitation discriminator and generated METAR by the same systems. ATIS is usually human voice recorded in the slower airports but larger airports now have the computer generated voice that gives you, in addition to weather, the same important terminal information that is usually also covered in NOTAMS for that airport, as well as telling you which approach, departure, and RWY in use. It is in the AIM as well. but I didn't bother to look, since I've used these all over the country in the last few weeks especially. Clear as mud.

I remember a pilot showing me how to decipher the METAR when I was a young crewman. When he got to the REMARKS and all the AO1/AO3 crap, he said not to worry about it, it wasn't that important. I never worried about it again, but it's nice to know what it means.

Anybody ever had a situation where it mattered?

 

[UMichfly]

Anybody ever had a situation where it mattered?

A lot of times they'll put "T1 in effect" in our METARS which means that a thunderstorm is in the area/the linemen are going to tell you F' off before they risk getting hit by lightning to come let you out of your jet. Not really...but really.

 

[A4sForever]

.... all the AO1/AO3 crap....Anybody ever had a situation where it mattered?

You mean AO1/AO2 .... ??? Then the answer is: nope.

 

[jtmedli]

Would anyone mind explaining the difference between ATIS and AWOS? From what I have read on the internet, it seems that AWOS is an automatic voice recording while ATIS is someone actually reading off a computer screen. Every ATIS I've ever heard sounded recorded to me.

Clarification?

Also, it's important to know that the ASOS and AWOS have different reporting capabilities. Check the FAR/AIM for the actual specs, but one will only report within certain parameters whereas the other will report actual numbers regardless.

 

[pourts]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_airport_weather_station

in addition to weather, the same important terminal information that is usually also covered in NOTAMS for that airport

This always kinda pissed me off on XC's. The 5 minute long ATIS loop with every single possible NOTAM, especially while simulating single pilot and tuning it up and down every 10 seconds listening for your callsign on the other radio from center.