What is a NOTAM in Aviation?

In 2007, in the US, an ATPL-rated pilot with 27,500 flight hours failed to check the NOTAMs at his destination airport. What happened next? He landed on a closed turf runway, causing the aircraft to nose over. While the passengers suffered minor injuries, the aircraft was written off. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the pilot's failure to check the NOTAMs caused the crash. This is how vital NOTAMs are. But what is a NOTAM?

As aspiring pilots, you should thoroughly understand this because it can make or break your career. But more than just knowing what is a NOTAM, you should also learn how to read them.

NOTAMs and Their Purpose

So, what is NOTAM in aviation? NOTAMs is an acronym for 'Notice to Airmen.' It is also called 'Notice to Air Mission,' which is the new definition by the FAA. A NOTAM is a notice containing information regarding the establishment (e.g., an airport) and hazards along their route in the air and on the ground within the country’s National Airspace System. It’s a critical component of any flight planning, whether you’re an airline, airport, or drone pilot.

Before jumping into the types of NOTAMs, it is essential to note that a NOTAM is critical to personnel concerned with flight operations, which could include:

• A closed aerodrome
• A closed taxiway
• Construction cranes
• Maintenance of a navigation aid
• Hazards such as flocks of birds
• Closed airspaces
• Change to facilities
• Change to services
• Changes to procedures

NOTAMs and different types of NOTAMs are used worldwide. They are a crucial part of aviation communication, providing pilots with valuable information regarding airspace, airports, and any condition that might impact the safety of their flight operations. While NOTAMs are issued by airport authorities across different countries, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has standardized the system. This helps pilots rely on them regardless of where they fly.

Types of NOTAMs

If you are clear on what is a NOTAM, let’s dive into the various types of NOTAMs.

1. Trigger NOTAM

In the list of the latest NOTAMs, a trigger NOTAM alerts pilots of any change in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). AIP is the local rulebook for each country. This rulebook is kept up-to-date by regular revisions on a fixed cycle. A single cycle lasts 28 days, while a double cycle lasts 56 days.

In the list of various types of NOTAMs, a trigger NOTAM will include a brief description of the changes, the effective date and time, and the identification of the amendment or supplements to the AIP. This type of NOTAM alerts those maintaining aeronautical databases of changes that will soon be in effect.

2. FDC NOTAM

FDC, or Flight Data Center, NOTAMs are specific to the US. Among the various types of NOTAMs, an FDC NOTAM outlines changes to instrument approach procedures and airways within the US. An FDC NOTAM contains regulatory changes, and they must be obeyed.

Understanding what is NOTAM in aviation can be problematic because each NOTAM is unique in the information it conveys. Now, a FDC NOTAM can include information about amendments to published instrument approach procedures, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR), Airway structure changes, Interim IFR flight procedures, changes to STAR ((Standard Terminal Arrival Routes) and SIDs (Standard Instrument Departure), and special airspace information.

3. SNOWTAM

The aerodrome operator assesses the runway surface conditions whenever water, ice, slush, or frost are present to issue a SNOTAM. Among the different types of NOTAMs, a SNOTAM is issued to notify pilots of these materials on the operational runway.

Typically, a SNOWTAM is valid for 8 hours, and a new SNOWTAM will be issued after a new runway condition report is issued. This is why it is so essential to understand what is a NOTAM. Such notices help pilots assess the extent of contamination on the runway at which they will be landing and evaluate the braking action available.

4. ASHTAM

Another important NOTAM among the latest NOTAMs is AHSTAM, or Aviation Safety and Hazardous Air Traffic Advisory Message. ASHTAM advises pilots of an operationally significant change in volcanic ash or other dust contamination that can affect airspace and aircraft flying through it.

An ASHTAM can include the following details:

• The location of the ash cloud
• The altitude at which the ash cloud is located
• The forecasted movement of the ash cloud
• The expected duration of the ash hazard

Meteorological agencies sometimes issue ASHTAMs, which are often coordinated with international organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

5. Class I NOTAM

Among the latest NOTAMs, a Class I NOTAM provides information on urgent and critical issues that may impact aviation safety. Pilots usually review such NOTAMs to evaluate whether they must make any changes before, during, and after flight.

Among the types of NOTAMs, a Class I NOTAM is usually urgent in the information it conveys and requires immediate attention. Class I NOTAMs are essential for pilots, air traffic controllers, and other aviation personnel to ensure safe flight operations. An example of this type of notice is when an airport runway closes due to an unexpected hazard or a significant airspace restriction due to military exercise.

6. Class II NOTAM

A Class II NOTAM conveys less urgent information than a Class I NOTAM, but it is still relevant to flight safety and operations. Examples of such NOTAMs include when a scheduled runway maintenance procedure impacts flight operations for a specific period or when there are temporary changes to the availability of airport services such as fuel or baggage handling.

7. SAA NOTAM

An SAA NOTAM, also called Special Activity NOTAM, is a NOTAM issued to alert pilots about airspace designated for special activities that might impede normal flight operations. Among the latest NOTAMs, this type is generally reserved for activities requiring additional air control measures.

What is special activity airspace? These airspaces include areas where military training, aerial events, or other operations may be in progress or will take place. A SAA NOTAM helps pilots avoid unsafe airspace conflicts while ensuring that the special activity proceeds without interference from general aviation.

8. FICON NOTAM

A FICON NOTAM, or Flight Information Center NOTAM, provides information about flight conditions or facility operations. Aviation authorities use this NOTAM to alert pilots and air traffic control personnel about changes related to airport or navigation facilities.

Some of the most common issues conveyed through a  FICON NOTAM are the status of airport equipment such as radar, landing systems, lighting, and other critical infrastructure, communication failure, and temporary loss in ATC services.

How is a NOTAM Issued?

When discussing what is NOTAM in aviation, knowing how it is issued is essential.

In the UK, for instance, NOTAMs are issued by the National Air Traffic Service Aeronautical Information Service (NATS AIS). They are typically submitted through the Civil Aircraft Notification Procedure (CANP) after completing a form on their website.

Similarly, in the US, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and people working in air traffic control can issue NOTAMs through the FAA NOTAM Manager, a web-based application. In India, NOTAMs are issued by government agencies and airport operators following the guidelines of Annex 15 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CICA). After this, NOTAMs are distributed through telecommunication or AFTN (Aeronautical Fixed Telecommunication Network).

Different countries have procedures for issuing NOTAMs, although all countries follow the standards set by the ICAO.

All issued NOTAMs use English as the standard language. Some countries might issue NOTAMs in their local language, along with in the English language.

How Do You Read a NOTAM?

In pilot training school, you will not only get to know what is a NOTAM and types of NOTAMs but also learn how to read one. A NOTAM will contain a header, the qualifier line, and the time constraint. Here’s a breakdown of all the elements.

1. Header

The header is the NOTAM number and identifies the specific NOTAM within a Flight Information Region (FIR) or aerodrome. A NOTAM header will consist of a letter followed by a sequence number, a slash, and the last two digits of the year. For instance, A1234/24 indicates this is the 134th NOTAM issued in 2024 for the FIR identified as A.

The header will also have a letter indicating the type of NOTAM. For instance, N stands for 'new,' R stands for ‘replaces a previous NOTAM,’ and C stands for cancels a previous NOTAM.

2. Qualifier Line (Q-Line)

The qualifier line will include the subject, location, and condition. The subject of a NOTAM is written as "RWY" (runway), "TWY" (Taxiway), or "AD" (Aerodrome). The location denotes where the NOTAM applies. For instance, if the NOTAM talks about the Chicago airport, it will be denoted as "ORD." The condition means the status of the NOTAM, such as "CLSD" (closed), "OPND" (opened), or "DLY" (delayed).

3. Time Constraint

The time constraint is the validity of the NOTAM. The format is typically YYMMDDttt-YYMMDDttt, where ‘YY’ is the year, ‘MM’ is the month, ‘DD’ is the day, and ‘ttt’ is the time in hours and minutes. For example, "2503311200-2503312300" means the NOTAM is valid from 1200 UTC on March 31, 2025, to 2300 UTC on the same date.

How to Get Better at Reading NOTAMs?

In 2017, Air Canada Flight 759 came within 14 feet of another aircraft while lining up to land on a taxiway instead of a runway. A NOTAM was one of the reasons for this. A crucial NOTAM was hidden and obscured by the sheer quantity of other NOTAMs around it.

When you get to training, you will learn what is NOTAM in aviation, the different types of NOTAMs, and how to decode one. But the hard truth is that not all NOTAMs are standardized. Not all NOTAMs have the same quality. Some NOTAMs can be highly confusing and may not tell the pilots the most crucial information they should have. The NOTAM briefing pack often becomes a ginormous stack filled with out-of-date, irrelevant NOTAMs for pilots to try and read.

So, how can you get better at reading NOTAMs? While your pilot training school will teach you about NOTAMs, you can make it a point to improve.

• Understand the NOTAM Structure: Consider thoroughly revising the entire structure of a NOTAM. This can ensure that you miss no critical piece of information.
• Learn standard codes: Codes like "RMY" (Runway), "AD" (Aerodrome), "OBST" (Obstruction), or "NAV" (Navigation) can help you quickly decode a NOTAM and glean out the crucial bits. These abbreviations are universal and used by authorities across the world.
• Practice and reference: To get better at reading NOTAMs, you can practice checking NOTAMs before every flight, even if you are not flying to a new location. Refer to the FAA and the ICAO materials to stay updated on the latest NOTAMs.

Conclusion

NOTAMs are an essential part of pilot training. Qualified pilots can quickly scan them and identify information that is of the utmost importance. NOTAMs also serve an important role in aviation safety. They alert pilots to potential hazards along their flight routes by providing timely and accurate information about changes.

As aspiring pilots, your ground training will show you how essential NOTAMs are to flight planning. For seasoned pilots, it is always a good idea to reskill on the latest NOTAMs because NOTAMs are not static by nature. New NOTAMs are issued regularly. You can also highlight this skill if you apply for pilot jobs. Another key differentiator can be your knowledge of aircraft bird strikes and how you, as a pilot, can help avoid instances and ensure aviation safety. Aviation authorities. Your potential airline employers would see this as a competitive advantage. Happy flying!