Communications: 7 Latest ATPL Questions Explained 

Relevant Weather Information may look like one of the simpler Communications topics, but the exam often tests small differences in terminology: SCT vs BKN, ATIS vs VOLMET, cloud height references, visibility coding, and CAVOK conditions.

In this walkthrough, we break down seven recently reported ATPL Communications questions, focusing on the weather information pilots use before and during flight. Each explanation follows the logic behind the correct answer and highlights the details most likely to catch you out in the exam.

This article is the text-based version of our recent video session, created for students who prefer reading or want a quick reference for revision. Prefer to video learning? Follow the complete video walkthrough: 7 Latest ATPL Communications Questions, where ATPL pilot Michal explains every question step by step.

Watch full Communications walkthrough sessions on our YouTube channel and boost your exam confidence. 

7 Recent ATPL Communications Questions | Relevant Weather Information 

• AIR-253807: METAR Cloud Coverage — Meaning of "Scattered" (SCT)

• AIR-253655: ATIS — Broadcast Systems Used for Aerodrome Information

• AIR-254458: METAR Cloud Base — Reference Level for Vertical Cloud Information

• AIR-254094: Oceanic Operations — Obtaining Destination Weather Without Data Link

• AIR-277817: D-ATIS Interpretation — Decoding Operational and Weather Information

• AIR-253926: ATIS to METAR — Identifying the Source Weather Report

• AIR-277866: Understanding CAVOK in METARs

Explore key subtopics & core concepts of Communications Syllabus

Question 1: METAR Cloud Coverage

Question ID AIR-253807: When the term Scattered is used in an aviation routine weather report -METAR-, what is the amount of cloud covering the sky?

1. Half or less than half of the sky is covered (3 or 4 octas).

2. More than half but less than the full sky is covered (5 to 7 octas).

3. The sky is entirely covered (8 octas).

4. The sky is clear below 5000 feet/GND.

Correct Answer: Half or less than half of the sky is covered (3 or 4 octas).

Explanation

Cloud amount in METARs is measured in oktas, dividing the sky into eight equal parts. An easy way to visualise it is to imagine the sky as a pizza cut into eight slices. The standard cloud amounts are:

• FEW: 1–2 oktas

• SCT: 3–4 oktas

• BKN: 5–7 oktas

• OVC: 8 oktas

So Scattered means that three or four eighths of the sky are covered by cloud.

A useful related distinction is between a reported cloud layer and a ceiling. FEW and SCT layers do not constitute a ceiling. A ceiling is normally based on the lowest BKN or OVC layer, or vertical visibility where applicable.

Exam Tip

• Memorise the sequence: FEW 1–2 → SCT 3–4 → BKN 5–7 → OVC 8

• And remember: BKN or OVC can form a ceiling; FEW and SCT do not.

Meteorology: 7 Latest ATPL Questions Explained. Continue revising weather-related exam scenarios with recently reported Meteorology questions and clear explanations of the underlying concepts.

Question 2: Broadcast Systems Used for Aerodrome Information

Question ID AIR-253655: What is normally used for ATIS broadcasts?

1. Voice channel of an ILS.

2. NDB frequencies.

3. DME voice channel.

4. Discrete VHF frequency or/and VOR.

Correct Answer: Discrete VHF frequency or/and VOR.

ATIS, or Automatic Terminal Information Service, provides pilots with regularly updated aerodrome information before arrival or departure. Each new message is identified by a letter of the alphabet, allowing pilots to confirm to ATC that they have the latest information.

The standard voice ATIS is normally transmitted on a dedicated VHF frequency, which pilots tune using the aircraft radio. Some aerodromes may also transmit ATIS through a VOR voice facility, while modern aircraft can receive D-ATIS digitally through data link. However, when the question asks what is normally used for a traditional ATIS broadcast, think VHF radio.

Exam Tip

Keep the versions separate:

Voice ATIS → VHF D-ATIS → Data link

Question 3: Reference Level for Vertical Cloud Information

Question ID AIR-254458: The aerodrome weather report includes data on the cloud amount and cloudbase (e.g. BKN 040). The reference for the vertical data is...

1. MSL

2. WGS-84 altitude

3. Aerodrome elevation

4. Relevant altimeter setting

Correct Answer: Aerodrome elevation

Explanation

Cloud heights in an aerodrome weather report are referenced to the aerodrome, not to mean sea level or a GPS datum.

So: BKN040 means broken cloud with its base approximately 4,000 ft above the aerodrome. This makes operational sense. A METAR is describing the weather conditions at that specific airport, so pilots need to know how high the clouds are above the runway environment.

A useful way to check your logic is to imagine an aerodrome located at 5,000 ft above mean sea level. If BKN040 meant 4,000 ft AMSL, the cloud base would be below the aerodrome surface—which clearly would not make sense.

Exam Tip

For METAR cloud height, think: Aerodrome → cloud base above the aerodrome. Do not confuse it with: pressure altitude, altitude above mean sea level, or WGS-84/GPS height.

Question 4: Obtaining Destination Weather Without Data Link

Question ID AIR-254094: An aircraft on an oceanic routing without data link wants to obtain information about the weather conditions at the destination and alternate airports. How can the crew obtain this information?

1. D-ATIS.

2. VOLMET - VHF.

3. VOLMET - HF.

4. Request from ATC via voice communication.

Correct Answer: VOLMET - HF.

Explanation

VHF radio is ideal for normal aviation communications, but its range is limited largely by line of sight. Over oceanic routes, where ground stations may be hundreds or thousands of miles away, VHF is often unavailable.

For long-range communication, aircraft can use HF (High Frequency) radio. HF provides much greater range, although the audio quality is generally poorer than VHF.

Weather information can be obtained through VOLMET, a continuous broadcast containing aviation weather reports for a number of aerodromes. These broadcasts commonly include METARs and may also include TAF information.

The reports are transmitted in a repeating sequence, so if you miss the aerodrome you need, you may have to wait until the broadcast cycles back to it.

VOLMET should not be confused with ATIS. ATIS is aerodrome-specific operational information, while VOLMET broadcasts weather information for multiple aerodromes.

Exam Tip

For oceanic weather without data link: Long range → HF → VOLMET

Also remember an useful distinction: VOLMET is effectively reading weather reports such as METARs, so the wind information retains the reference used in the original report.

Question 5: Decoding Operational and Weather Information

Question ID AIR-277817: Which option is correct as regards the following D-ATIS?

• WSSS Dep ATIS F

• 0130 METAR

• Exp ILS Apch segregated PARL Ops in use

• ARR RWY 02L DEP 02C

• Taxiing guidance lights on all taxiways are on for lighting inspection

• Junction of TWY EP and A3 including rapid exit TWY E3 Southbound CLSD due WIP

• Wind 010 04 KT GUST 23 WIND DIR 320 V 040

• 10 KM FEW 1600 FT

• T 27 / DP 26 QNH 1012 NOSIG

• ARR to ACK INFO E with APP on 120.3 and DEP with DELIVERY on 121.65

1. Runway 02L is in use for departures; visibility is 10 km or more; wind direction is 010° and wind speed is 4 kt.

2. The ATIS is for departing and arriving traffic; Runway 02C is in use for departures; departures have to acknowledge they have received information F with Approach Control.

3. ATIS message F is current; the temperature is 26° C; and no significant changes are expected regarding weather conditions in the next two hours.

4. The ATIS is for an aerodrome with ICAO code WSSS; taxiway E3 southbound is closed; clouds reported are FEW at 1600 ft.

Correct Answer: The ATIS is for an aerodrome with ICAO code WSSS; taxiway E3 southbound is closed; clouds reported are FEW at 1600 ft.

Explanation

Long D-ATIS questions can look intimidating because they combine weather, runway information, taxiway restrictions and operational notes in one block of text. The fastest approach is not necessarily to read every word from beginning to end. Instead, identify the details that stand out and compare them directly with the answer options.

The important information includes:

• Information Foxtrot is current.

• It is a departure ATIS for the WSSS (Singapore Changi Airport).

• Runway 02C is used for departures.

• Runway 02L is associated with arrivals.

• Taxiway E3 southbound is closed due to work in progress.

• Visibility is 10 km.

• Cloud is reported as FEW at 1,600 ft.

Once these key details are identified, several incorrect options can be eliminated without decoding every line of the message.

Exam Tip

For long ATIS/D-ATIS questions, scan for: ATIS letter → Arrival/Departure → Runway → Restrictions → Weather

Do not waste time decoding information that does not distinguish between the answer options.

Fog Alert: 6 Types Every Pilot Should Know. Review the main types of fog, how they form, and why reduced visibility matters for flight planning and airport operations.

Question 6:  Identifying the Source Weather Report

Question ID AIR-253926: A pilot has just noted the latest ATIS for the destination aerodrome on the 20th day of the month.

'Dusseldorf Information Bravo, MET report time one zero two zero, expect ILS approach, runway in use two three left and two three right, new procedures for localiser critical areas apply, expect short time ILS interference, transition level six zero, wind three six zero degrees four knots, visibility one zero kilometres, present weather light rain. cloud few one thousand five hundred feet, scattered two thousand feet, broken four thousand feet, temperature one three, dew point one one, QNH one zero one four hecto-pascal, trend NOSIG, Information Bravo out.'

From which of the following METARs has this ATIS been created?

1. 201020Z 36004KT 9999 -RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 13/11 Q1014 NOSIG=

2. 201020Z 36004KT 1000 R23 -RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 13/11 Q1014 NOSIG=

3. 201020Z 36004KT 9999 RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 13/11 Q1014 NOSIG=

4. 201020Z T060 36004KT 9999 -RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 13/11 Q1014 NOSIG=

Correct Answer: 201020Z 36004KT 9999 -RA FEW015 SCT020 BKN040 13/11 Q1014 NOSIG= 

Explanation

This question tests whether you can separate METAR weather coding from additional operational information contained in an ATIS.

Start with the standard METAR sequence. After the date and time, you normally expect to see:

Wind → Visibility → Weather → Cloud

The ATIS gives wind from 360° at 4 kt, visibility of 10 km, and light rain.

In METAR format:

• Wind becomes 36004KT

• Visibility of 10 km or more becomes 9999

• Light rain becomes -RA

The - symbol is important: it means light intensity. A + would indicate heavy precipitation.

Another useful elimination clue is the transition level. An ATIS may contain a transition level, but this information is not part of the METAR weather report. Any proposed METAR containing transition-level information can therefore be rejected immediately.

In case you have never seen '=' at the end of the groups, it means the end of the TAF or METAR, so you can be confident you have the whole message. 

Exam Tip

Translate ATIS weather back into the normal METAR order: Wind → Visibility → Weather → Cloud

Master the METAR: Your Key to Aviation Weather Code. A natural follow-up if you want to go deeper into METAR structure, abbreviations, visibility, cloud reporting, and weather groups.

Question 7: Understanding CAVOK in METARs

Question ID AIR-277866: When the term CAVOK is used in an aviation routine weather report (METAR), what are the values of visibility and cloud?

1. Visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 1500 feet/GND.

2. Visibility more than 8 km, no cloud below 3000 feet/GND.

3. Visibility more than 5000 m, no cloud below 1500 m/GND.

4. Visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5000 feet/GND.

Correct Answer: Visibility 10 km or more, no cloud below 5000 feet/GND.

Explanation

CAVOK stands for Ceiling And Visibility OK, but there is more to the definition than simply good visibility.

For CAVOK to be reported:

• Visibility must be 10 km or more.

• There must be no cloud below 5,000 ft or the highest applicable Minimum Sector Altitude, whichever is higher.

• There must be no cumulonimbus (CB) or towering cumulus (TCU).

• There must be no significant weather at or near the aerodrome.

The phrase “whichever is higher” is one of the details students frequently forget. Simply remembering “10 km and no cloud below 5,000 ft” is not always enough for an ATPL question.

CB and TCU are also important exceptions. Even if they are above the normal cloud threshold, their presence prevents CAVOK from being reported.

Exam Tip

Memorise CAVOK as three checks:

Visibility ≥ 10 km No significant cloud below 5,000 ft / MSA (whichever is higher) No significant weather, CB or TCU

The examiner often hides the trap in the MSA or CB/TCU part of the definition.

Your Sky Guide: 10 Cloud Types to Know. A useful refresher on cloud identification, formation, and the cloud types pilots are expected to recognise in both theory and real-world flying.

Next Step

Weather questions become much easier once the terminology starts to feel familiar. If you want to put these concepts into practice, head to the Airhead ATPL Question Bank and work through more questions from 09003 – Relevant Weather Information. It’s a simple way to test your METAR, ATIS, VOLMET and CAVOK knowledge against the type of wording you can expect in the exam.