Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)

Today we are featuring an excerpt from the new edition of Pilot’s Manual: Ground School (Fourth Edition). Also be sure to check out https://pilotweb.nas.faa.gov/PilotWeb/. This website provides access to current NOTAM information from the United States NOTAM System.

NOTAMs are an important and time-critical piece of aeronautical information that could affect a pilot’s flight and should be checked as part of the flight planning process. NOTAMs are classified into categories:

• NOTAM (D) distant—includes information in regards to navigational facilities and public use airports listed within the Chart Supplement U.S. Issued for such things as taxiway or runway closures, airport taxiway lighting that may be out of service, or even construction equipment around the runway environment.
• FDC NOTAM—contains regulatory information pertaining to flight. Common examples include temporary flight restriction (TFR), an out of service VOR facility, or general changes to airspace and instrument flight procedures.
• Pointer NOTAM—issued by flight service stations simply to point out another important NOTAM.
• SAA NOTAM—advises pilots when special activity airspace will be active outside the published and schedule times listed on aeronautical charts or other operational publications.
• Military NOTAM—pertains to military navigational aids and airports within the national airspace system.

Sample NOTAMS for Boeing Field Airport here in Seattle, WA.