Definition
The equipment used at an airport to record and continuously broadcast the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) message. The ATIS message is a recorded loop containing non-control airport information — such as active runways, weather, altimeter setting, and any notices to airmen — that pilots listen to before contacting controllers.
Plain English
The device that records and plays back the airport's information broadcast, so pilots can listen to current airport conditions on a radio frequency before calling the tower or ground controller.
Context Anchor
Seen in airport operations, air traffic control information, and equipment status notes when the recorded airport information service is working or out of service.
Derivation
ATIS stands for Automatic Terminal Information Service. 'Recorder' is added because the equipment captures a spoken message and replays it on a loop. The 'R' on the end simply marks the recording device itself, not the broadcast service.
Why Pilots Care
It keeps essential airport information available without requiring constant controller involvement.
Intuition Check
ATISR refers to the recorder used for the ATIS message, not the whole airport information system and not the message itself.
Example Sentence 1
The tower reported that the ATISR was inoperative, so arriving pilots had to request airport information directly from approach control.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots can receive the airport details from the ATISR even when the tower is closed.