Which statement best describes ATIS and D-ATIS?

• A. ATIS is digital; D-ATIS is voice
• B. ATIS is voice recording; D-ATIS is delivered digitally for onboard interaction
• C. Both are satellite feeds
• D. D-ATIS replaces METAR

Answer: (B)

ATIS and D-ATIS differ in how the information reaches the crew. Traditional ATIS uses a voice recording at the airport that pilots listen to over the radio to learn current weather, active runway, altimeter, and notices. It’s information you hear and must interpret from the spoken audio.

D-ATIS is the digital version of that same information, delivered to the cockpit via data link and presented on display screens for onboard interaction. Instead of listening to a recording, you retrieve and view the data electronically, and you can often request updates or have it automatically refreshed.

This distinction explains why the correct statement is that ATIS is voice recording and D-ATIS is delivered digitally for onboard interaction. It doesn’t mean ATIS is digital or that D-ATIS replaces METAR; METAR remains the weather observation, and D-ATIS simply provides its data digitally to the cockpit.