1. What Are NOTAMs?
NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions, formerly Notices to Airmen) are official notices containing information essential to flight safety that isn't available through other publications. They alert pilots to hazards, changes, and conditions that could affect the safety of flight.
NOTAMs cover a wide range of information:
- Airport conditions: Runway closures, taxiway restrictions, lighting outages
- Airspace: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), air shows, parachute operations
- Navigation: VOR/NDB outages, GPS interference, ILS changes
- Obstacles: Cranes, towers, construction
- Services: Fuel unavailability, tower hours changes
Safety Critical
Failing to check NOTAMs has led to accidents, TFR violations, and runway incursions. Checking NOTAMs is not optional - it's required by 14 CFR 91.103 ("become familiar with all available information concerning that flight").
2. Types of NOTAMs
NOTAM (D) - Distant NOTAMs
Information that must be distributed beyond the local area. Attached to specific airports or navaids. Most common type you'll encounter.
FDC NOTAMs - Flight Data Center
Regulatory NOTAMs including TFRs, amendments to instrument approaches, and changes to aeronautical charts. Always check these carefully.
Pointer NOTAMs
Reference NOTAMs that direct you to other NOTAMs. For example, a pointer at your destination might reference a TFR NOTAM affecting that area.
SAA NOTAMs - Special Activity Airspace
Military operating areas (MOAs), restricted areas, warning areas. Indicates when special use airspace is active.
Military NOTAMs
NOTAMs for military installations and operations. May not appear in standard civilian briefings.
3. ICAO NOTAM Format
Modern NOTAMs follow the ICAO format with standardized fields. Here's the structure:
A0123/24 NOTAMN Q) ZNY/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/4038N07346W005 A) KJFK B) 2401150800 C) 2401152000 E) RWY 13L/31R CLSD
| Field | Content | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| A0123/24 | NOTAM ID | NOTAM number 0123 for year 2024 |
| NOTAMN | Type | N=New, R=Replacement, C=Cancellation |
| Q) | Qualifier Line | FIR, code, traffic type, purpose, scope, coords |
| A) | Location | ICAO identifier(s) affected |
| B) | From | Effective from (YYMMDDHHMM UTC) |
| C) | Until | Effective until, or PERM for permanent |
| D) | Schedule | Daily schedule if applicable |
| E) | Text | Full description of the NOTAM |
| F) G) | Limits | Lower and upper altitude limits |
4. Decoding NOTAMs
Date/Time Format
NOTAMs use the format YYMMDDHHMM in UTC (Zulu time):
- 2401150800 = 2024, January 15th, 08:00 UTC
- PERM = Permanent (no end date)
- EST = Estimated end time (may change)
The Q-Line Decoded
The qualifier line packs a lot of information. Using ZNY/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/4038N07346W005:
- ZNY - Flight Information Region (New York Center)
- QMRXX - NOTAM code (MR = Movement area, runway)
- IV - Traffic: I=IFR, V=VFR (both affected)
- NBO - Purpose: N=Notice, B=Briefing, O=Operations
- A - Scope: A=Aerodrome, E=En route, W=Nav warning
- 000/999 - Lower/upper limits in FL
- 4038N07346W005 - Coordinates and radius (5 NM)
5. Common NOTAM Contractions
NOTAMs use standard ICAO contractions. Here are the most common:
Runway
Taxiway
Closed
Out of Service
Unserviceable
Approach
Light/Lighting
Navigation
Obstacle
Traffic
With Effect From
Until
Precision Approach Path Indicator
Visual Approach Slope Indicator
Threshold
Airport Reference Point
Tip
The FAA provides a complete list of NOTAM contractions in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and in Advisory Circular AC 91-63D. When in doubt, look it up.
6. Where to Find NOTAMs
Official Sources
- 1800wxbrief.com
- notams.faa.gov
- 1-800-WX-BRIEF (phone)
- DINS (military)
EFB Apps
- ForeFlight
- Garmin Pilot
- FlyQ EFB
- Fltplan Go
Always check NOTAMs for:
- Departure airport
- Destination airport
- Alternate airports
- En route navigation aids
- Special use airspace along route
- FDC NOTAMs for TFRs
7. Real NOTAM Examples
Example 1: Runway Closure
!JFK 01/234 JFK RWY 04L/22R CLSD 2401200600-2401201800
Translation: At JFK, Runway 04L/22R is closed from January 20, 2024 at 0600 UTC until January 20, 2024 at 1800 UTC.
Example 2: Lighting Outage
!LAX 01/567 LAX PAPI RWY 25L U/S
Translation: At LAX, the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) for Runway 25L is unserviceable.
Example 3: TFR (FDC NOTAM)
FDC 4/1234 ZNY PART 91 SPECIAL SECURITY NOTICE TFR EFFECTIVE 2401151200 UTC UNTIL 2401152200 UTC PURSUANT TO 49 USC 40103(B)(3) THE FOLLOWING AREA IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE AREA LOCATION: 404520N/0740445W RADIUS: 10NM SFC-FL180
Translation: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect on January 15, 2024 from 1200-2200 UTC. The restricted airspace is a 10 nautical mile radius from the coordinates, from the surface to FL180.
TFR Warning
TFR violations are serious. They can result in certificate action, civil penalties, and in security-related TFRs, intercept by military aircraft. Always verify TFRs are not present along your route.