Definition
The specific runway or runways currently active for landing and takeoff at an airport, along with the instrument approach procedures being used to arrive at those runways. This information is broadcast on the ATIS so pilots know which runway to expect and which approach to brief and set up before contacting approach control or tower.
Plain English
Which runway the airport is currently using and which instrument approach is being flown to get to it. Pilots need both pieces of information so they can plan their arrival before talking to controllers.
Context Anchor
Heard on ATIS before a pilot contacts approach control, tower, or ground control at a controlled airport.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots need this information to plan their approach, configure their aircraft, and avoid conflicts with departing or arriving traffic on other runways.
Intuition Check
Do not read “in use” as simply “available.” Here it means the runway and instrument approach that ATC is currently using or advertising for arriving and departing aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
After listening to the ATIS, the pilot noted the runways and instrument approaches in use and briefed the ILS to Runway 27.
Example Sentence 2
Knowing the runways and instrument approaches in use from the ATIS helped coordinate with the tower for a straight-in approach.