Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Workload; Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Weather; Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure; Company Policy
Aircraft X was transitioning from the STAR to approach on the flight into destination airport. Aircraft X checked in with Approach Controller and informed him they were in receipt of information Mike; issued at (time). The Approach Controller stated that information Oscar was now current and for the Crew to get it and report back once in receipt. Aircraft X asked the Controller if there were any significant changes in information Oscar from Mike. The Controller stated that since the ATIS is now two letters later the flight should check and get Oscar. Aircraft X stated that they were busy and requested the Approach Controller provide weather contained in information Oscar. The Approach Controller ignored this call. It seemed to the Crew of Aircraft X that the Controller was being intentionally difficult or possibly was not aware of the most current weather. It did not seem busy at this point and the frequency and arrival demand was low. It appeared to the Crew that the Controller had ample time to provide this information. When time permitted; Aircraft X received the ATIS internally using ACARS. Information Oscar was the latest report and it contained a significant change in weather to include 4 SM visibility and TSRA (yeah that's a moderate thunderstorm) at the field. Aircraft X reported receipt of Oscar to the Approach Controller and highlighted the fact that this ATIS stated there was a TSRA (moderate Thunderstorm and Rain) at the airport. The Approach Controller should be aware of deteriorating weather at the destination airport and should either confirm Pilots have this information or provide to them when requested). Other aircraft on the frequency queried the Controller about the current weather when they heard what the new ATIS stated.The Approach Controller then reported that there was reported wind shear gain of 25 knots on two mile final to 4R reported by previous aircraft and began providing weather updates. This Approach Controller did not inform Aircraft X of most current weather when requested by Pilots to do so. The delay in the Pilot Crew in receiving the most current weather which included a significant change in weather increased workload at a very critical phase of flight increasing risk and the possibility of committing errors. Had the Approach Controller complied with Aircraft X request the Crew would have had more time to plan for change in weather conditions.The Approach Controller needs to be reminded of his/her obligations under 7110.65. There are times when Pilot workload is high and a reasonable request to ATC can reduce this workload. Pilots expect Controller to comply with guidance in 7110.65. Recent experience indicates that Approach Controllers are increasingly shirking the basic duty of providing arrival weather and increasingly expect Pilots to obtain the latest ATIS even if it has recently changed; this means they are either unaware of the most current weather or do not understand that they should provide it upon request. There are times when the task of obtaining the latest ATIS in a compressed time situation can cause a serious distraction. It's one thing to be prepared for these issues; it's another to have these situations created because someone isn't doing their job. I understand that the same could be said for a Controller; but this did not seem to be one of those situations. In addition a thunderstorm on the field at the destination is critical information and should be provided to Pilots immediately. In this case; that was not done either. This is the pertinent section from the FAA order: FAA JO 7110.65; section 2-9-1 states: Controllers must ensure that Pilots receive the most current pertinent information. Ask the Pilot to confirm receipt of the current ATIS information if the Pilot does not initially state the appropriate ATIS code. Controllers must ensure that changes to pertinent operational information is provided after the initial confirmation of ATIS informationis established. Issue the current weather; runway in use; approach information; and pertinent NOTAMs to Pilots who are unable to receive the ATIS.
An air carrier pilot reported that the Approach Controller would not read them the latest ATIS forcing them to get the information via ACARS.