Section 1, Lesson 1
In Progress

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

!ORD 07/716 ORD TWY PP2 CLSD 1807191415-1809142300
What does this NOTAM indicate?

!AUN 08/003 AUN SVC AUTOMATED WX BCST SYSTEM 119.375 OUT OF SERVICE 1808270313-1809052300EST
What does this NOTAM mean?

!OGG 08/045 OGG TWY C HLDG PSN SIGN SOUTHWEST SIDE FOR RWY 02 NOT
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?