Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs)
NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) are critical pieces of information that every pilot must review before a flight. They provide real-time updates on conditions and restrictions that could affect your flight. This guide covers the types of NOTAMs and offers resources to ensure you're always up to date.
🛬 Key NOTAM Concepts for Pilots:
Types of NOTAMs
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D (Distance) NOTAMs
- Contain information about airports, navigation aids, services, and facilities.
- Example: Runway closures or unserviceable taxiways.
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FDC (Flight Data Center) NOTAMs
- Regulatory notices such as airspace restrictions or amendments to instrument approach procedures.
- Example: Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
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Military NOTAMs
- Information specific to military operations and facilities.
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International NOTAMs
- Pertinent to flights outside the United States, detailing airspace restrictions, weather-related issues, or other international concerns.
Common NOTAM Subjects
- Runway and taxiway closures.
- Changes in lighting systems (e.g., beacon or PAPI outages).
- Temporary obstacles like cranes near airports.
- Airspace restrictions, including TFRs for VIP movements or special events.
- NAVAID outages or irregularities.
- GPS testing or outages affecting navigation.
How to Read NOTAMs
- Example NOTAM:
!JFK 12/045 JFK RWY 4L/22R CLSD 1901121200-1901121800!JFK: The affected location.12/045: The NOTAM number.JFK RWY 4L/22R: The runway in question.CLSD: The closure status.1901121200-1901121800: The effective date and time (Zulu).
Accessing NOTAMs
- Always review NOTAMs during preflight planning.
- Use online tools, aviation apps, or consult ATC for the latest information.