What is ATIS? ATIS is an acronym for Automatic Terminal Information Service.What REALLY is ATIS and why do I need to know? ATIS is a continuous broadcast of current weather and airport information at busy airports. It typically contains information like current NOTAMs, active runways, weather (including the all-important wind and barometer information), available aproaches, etc... The broadcast message is updated as weather and other information dictate. Each unique message is associated with a letter. Each day, ATIS broadcasts start with 'A' or 'alpha.' The end of each broadcast will announce its letter designation, like "End of information Echo."
The information from an ATIS broadcast is important. DO NOT IGNORE it! The barometer is used to set the altimiter before take off and before approach; wind and active runway information let you know if you will need to do cross wind takeoff or landing and the NOTAMS should inform you about things like runway and taxiway repairs, obstructions, etc...
What's with the letter designation? Well, before taxing to take-off and before landing (usually on initial contact with the control tower where you want to land), the pilot should let the tower know they have listened to ATIS. Here's an example...
"North Las Vegas ground, Cessna 12345. Taxiing from terminal to run-up area runway 07 with Echo." This identifies me, where I am headed and lets the ground controller know that I listened to the most recent ATIS broadcast.
ATIS information is non-control. Just because ATIS says the active runway is 07 doesn't mean 12R can't be used. ATIS is advisory, not control.
Other info: Wikipedia
ATIS frequencies in and around Las Vegas:
132.4 - KLAS - Mc Carran International Airport
118.05 - KVGT- North Las Vegas Airport
270.1 - KLSV - Nellis Air Force Base
322.375 - KNID - China Lake, CA
Many ATIS broadcasts can be accessed from a phone. You call the number and just listen.
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