Simviation Forums

I've been through the learning center for ATC, including the Glossary. I haven't found an explanation for the common phrase after the call sign, "with ... bravo or charlie." What are they signifying ?

The Pilot is simply informing ATC on initial contact that he has listened to the current ATIS broadcast for that airport.
For example , if he says " N2533 with Charlie" he is telling them that he has the information on the current ATIS, in this case "information Charlie" [C].

The first thing a pilot needs to do before filing a flight plan is to find out what the current weather is at the airport he is at. He does this by tuning to the ATIS channel on his radio. When you first open up the ATC box one of the option is to tune to the ATIS channel
ATIS stands for Airport Traffic Information System
This will tell you everything you need to know which runway(s) are in use is the airport under IFR wind speed and direction, ceiling height, visibility and what the current altimeter is. This information is updated at least once an hour but could change at any time if so a new ATIS will be issued They always start with information ALPHA and go up the alphabet.
A pilot must state that he/she has listened to the latest ATIS information or ATC will not grant you clearance.
This has to be done when filing a flight plan or when you request to land .

ATIS actually stands for AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFORMATION SERVICE. ( Not meaning to step on Gary's toes here.. )

Here's the FAA's explanation plus an example of the type of transmissions. It was taken from the FAA's Pilot/Controller Glossary

The continuous broadcast of recorded noncontrol information in selected terminal areas.
Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by
automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information; e.g.,

“Los Angeles information Alfa.
One three zero zero Coordinated Universal Time.
Weather, measured ceiling two thousand overcast,
visibility three, haze, smoke, temperature seven one,
dew point five seven, wind two five zero at five,
altimeter two niner niner six.
I-L-S Runway Two Five Left approach in use,
Runway Two Five Right closed,
advise you have Alfa.”

What isn't mentioned in the definition is that you must obtain this information PRIOR to entering the airport's controlled airspace. That's in VFR and IFR conditions.
( I assume IFR but since I'm not Instrument rated I don't have the experience and right now I'm too lazy to look it up in the FARS)

Hopefully this will make it somewhat more understandable.

Hawkeye07 wrote:ATIS actually stands for AUTOMATIC TERMINAL INFORMATION SERVICE. ( Not meaning to step on Gary's toes here.. )
.

That is the FAA definition but when i was working at Kjax for Delta the pilots referred to it as AIRPORT TRAFFIC INFORMATION SYSTEM. But no problem no offense taken

IFR is not that hard the only approach that i have problems with every now & than is a GPS approach because they can differ depending on the area and the location of the airport. But i have only been asked to make this approach once or twice and that was at the same airport on different days.
Flying IFR is where the real challenge is. I love flying int KJAC Jackson Hole during the winter with mountains all around you one has to pay attention to the gauges or else wind up on a mountain side.
It is called Jackson Hole because it is in a hole in the mountains. The approach from the west is not that bad provided you are landing on the one ILS runway but from any other direction you have to stay on your toes.