NOTAMs
Notices to Airmen (NOTAM)
Notices to airmen are textual publications that inform pilots about changes to the flying environment that could potentially impact safety. Pilots need to understand how to check for and read NOTAMs.
Lesson Notes
NOTAMs, or “Notices to Airman” inform pilots about airspace closures, runway/taxiway closures and construction, unlighted towers, strange procedures, new radio frequencies and other relevant information that comes out in between chart publications. Most airport-related charts are published every 56 days, but plenty can happen at an airport in that time frame, and pilots need as much information as possible before they fly.
Pilots are required to check NOTAMS before they fly, and it can save your bacon. You usually get NOTAMs when you get a weather brief. It’s easy, so make it a habit.
Let’s work an example NOTAM:
!ORD 06/738 ORD TWY YY BTN UAL MAIN SER CENTER HANGAR SOUTH RAMP AND TWY C2 CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 211FT 1806181809-2011302300
!ORD: Chicago O’Hare Airport. Note that if this was an FDC NOTAM it would begin with ! FDC
06/738: NOTAM ID number
ORD TWY YY BTN UAL MAIN SER CENTER HANGAR SOUTH RAMP AND TWY C2 CLSD TO ACFT WINGSPAN MORE THAN 211FT: Taxiway YY between United Airlines main service center hangar south ramp and Taxiway C2 is closed to aircraft with a wingspan more than 211 feet.
1806181809-2011302300: Valid times. Work backwards to decode each date: This NOTAM is valid from 1809 Zulu, on June 18, 2018 until 2300 Zulu on November 30, 2020.
Practice Questions
What does this NOTAM indicate?
What does this NOTAM mean?
LGTD 1808161718-1808302200
What does this NOTAM mean?
Additional Resources
Flashcard Questions
What are NOTAMs?
When should a pilot check for NOTAMs?
What kind of information might be displayed in NOTAMs?