What Is a NOTAM? A Simple Explanation for Pilots

Published on · 7 min read

Pilot reviewing NOTAMs on a tablet before flight

What is a NOTAM?

NOTAM stands for Notice to Air Missions (formerly "Notice to Airmen"). It's an official notice filed by aviation authorities to inform pilots about changes or hazards that could affect a flight — but that aren't published in standard charts or publications yet.

If a runway is closed, a navigation aid is out of service, a crane has appeared near an approach path, or a temporary restricted area has been established, you'll find it in a NOTAM.

Types of NOTAMs

There are several categories:

  • NOTAM (D) or "Distant" — distributed nationally, contains information of long duration.
  • FDC NOTAM — Flight Data Center NOTAMs, usually regulatory or procedural changes (like instrument approach amendments).
  • NOTAM (L) or "Local" — distributed only by the local FSS, less than 24 hours old.
  • Pointer NOTAM — points to another NOTAM relevant to a specific event or location.
  • Military NOTAM — specific to military operations.
  • International NOTAM — for flights crossing borders, often classified by ICAO series (A, B, C...).

Anatomy of a NOTAM

A typical NOTAM has this structure:

  1. NOTAM ID — a unique identifier (e.g., A1234/26).
  2. Type — NEW, REPLACE, or CANCEL.
  3. Location — ICAO code of the affected aerodrome or FIR.
  4. Start / End times — the validity period (usually in UTC).
  5. Schedule — if applicable, the times the NOTAM is active.
  6. Text — the actual information, using standard aviation abbreviations.
  7. Lower / Upper limit — altitude range affected.

Real example decoded

A1234/26 NOTAMN
Q) LFFF/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/4901N00234E005
A) LFPG
B) 2602150800 C) 2602151600
E) RWY 27L CLSD

In plain English:

  • A1234/26 — NOTAM ID for 2026.
  • NOTAMN — a new NOTAM.
  • LFPG — Paris Charles de Gaulle.
  • B) 2602150800 C) 2602151600 — valid from Feb 15, 08:00 UTC to Feb 15, 16:00 UTC.
  • E) RWY 27L CLSD — Runway 27L is closed.

Simple. But that's the whole point — NOTAMs pack a lot of information into a compact, standardized format.

Where to find NOTAMs

Official sources:

  • FAA — notams.aim.faa.gov
  • Eurocontrol — via the EAD (European AIS Database)
  • ICAO — via national AIS providers
  • Flight planning apps — ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot, and similar tools include NOTAM briefings

For your flight planning, always use an official source or a certified briefing service. A NOTAM you missed could ruin your flight — or worse.

Mistakes to avoid

  1. Not reading them — every flight requires a NOTAM briefing, however short.
  2. Skipping FDC NOTAMs — they affect procedures, not just airports.
  3. Confusing time zones — NOTAMs always use UTC.
  4. Only checking departure and destination — check en-route and alternate too.
  5. Ignoring "unverified" sources — always confirm with official AIS.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I check NOTAMs?

Before every flight — and again if your departure is delayed more than a couple of hours.

Are NOTAMs the same worldwide?

The format is standardized by ICAO, but the distribution systems and abbreviations vary by country.

Do I need to understand the Q-line?

Not for basic flights — the Q-line is mainly for automated filtering. Focus on the A) B) C) E) fields.

Where can I find a decoded NOTAM?

Many flight planning apps automatically decode NOTAMs into plain English. Always verify against the official source.

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