Chapter 5. NOTAM CRITERIA

Section 1. MOVEMENT AREA NOTAMs

5-1-1. ORIGINATORS OF MOVEMENT AREA NOTAMs

a. Airport management is responsible for observing and reporting the condition of a movement area. The automated/flight service station (AFSS/FSS) air traffic managers shall coordinate with appropriate airport managers to obtain a list of airport employees who are authorized to issue NOTAMs.

b. At public airports without an airport manager, the AFSS/FSS air traffic manager shall coordinate with the appropriate operating authority to obtain a list of persons delegated to provide NOTAM information.

NOTE-
Letters of agreement should be executed between airport management and ATC facilities outlining procedures to be used for originating NOTAMs.

5-1-2. HANDLING REPORTED MOVEMENT AREA CONDITIONS

a. Copy any information received verbally and record the name, title (if appropriate), address, and telephone number of the person submitting the information. Information obtained from other than an authorized airport or FAA employee must be confirmed before issuance. If you are informed of or observe a condition that affects the safe use of a movement area, relay the information to the airport management for action.

NOTE-
This includes data received from airport inspectors.

b. If unable to contact airport management, classify and issue a NOTAM publicizing the unsafe condition always stating the condition and including the word "UNSAFE"; e.g., RWY or AP UNSAFE DISABLE ACFT. Inform airport management of the action taken as soon thereafter as practical.

NOTE-
Only airport management can close any portion of an airport.

REFERENCE-
14 CFR Part 139.

5-1-3. NOTAM (D) MOVEMENT AREA INFORMATION

a. The flight service specialist is responsible for formatting the information correctly.

NOTE-
The examples used in this order are representative of the format discussed in this paragraph.

b. Movement Area NOTAM Ds shall contain these elements, ADP CODE, ACC LOC, AFF LOC, RWY ID, COND, and TIME, as discussed below:

ADP CODE is an exclamation point "!".

ACC LOC is the identifier of the accountability location.

AFF LOC is the identifier of the affected facility or location.

RWY ID is optional. This shall be the runway identification for runway and runway related NOTAMs.

COND is the condition being reported.

TIME identifies the effective time(s) of the NOTAM condition. Times shall be formatted in accordance with para 4-2-1, NOTAM Composition.

c. Disseminate the following reported conditions as a NOTAM D:

1. Commissioning or decommissioning of a movement area or portions thereof. State the type of surface and lighting when known. State if unlighted.

Surface:
ASPH	asphalt/tar/macadam
CONC	concrete
GRVL	gravel/cinders
DIRT	dirt
SOD	sod

Lighting:
LGTD	lighted
UNLGTD	unlighted

EXAMPLE-
!ICT MEJ 16/34 CMSND 4800X75 CONC/LGTD

!ICT MEJ 17/35 CLSD PERM

!STL I63 MT STERLING IL 395915N904815W 18/36
   4000X75 ASPH/LGTD NONSTD MARKING CMSND

!CDB AK05 AP CLSD PERM

!RIU O88 HELI DCMSND

NOTE-
HELI pertains to heliport as listed in the Airport/Facility Directory, not helipads. Helipads are on airports and designated by the appropriate symbols and are not NOTAM material.

2. Movement area closures and openings.

EXAMPLE-
!ANB A09 AP CLSD

!AOO PA06 AP CLSD TSNT

!BET BET AP CLSD EXC SKI

!AOO 29D AP CLSD EXC PPR 0330-1430 MON-FRI

!BUF D67 AP CLSD EXC HI-WING ACFT

!CEW CEW AP CLSD WEF 0005041400-0005041800

!CDB 40A AP OPEN

NOTE-
40A airport was published as being closed.

EXAMPLE-
!CLE 15G AP NOW PUBLIC

!CLE 15G AP NOW PRIVATE

NOTE-
First example shows 15G is now open to the public and a public-use airport.

The second example shows 15G is now closed to the public and is no longer a public-use airport. The FSS shall contact the USNOF to have 15G deleted from the NOTAM tables after the NOTAM has been cancelled.

3. Conditions that restrict or preclude the use of any portion of a runway or a waterway.

NOTE-
Weight bearing capacity of a runway can be changed only by authorization of the Manager, Airports Division (appropriate region). Declared distances can only be authorized by the FAA Office of Airport Safety and Standards, Airport Design Division, AAS-100.

EXAMPLE-
!AOO 29D 10 FIRST 1000 CLSD

NOTE-
Runway 28 is not affected. The first 1,000 feet of runway 10 is closed for both landing and takeoff.

EXAMPLE-
!AGC AGC 10/28 W 900 CLSD

NOTE-
Both Runways 10 and 28 are affected. This example is also used to show a threshold that has been relocated.

EXAMPLE-
!BDL BDL 6/24 CLSD EXC 1 HR PPR 203-627-3001
   WEF 0005131300-0005132000

NOTE-
Runways 6 and 24 are closed except by 1 hour prior permission from that telephone number during the times stated.

EXAMPLE-
!BNA BNA 36 CLSD

NOTE-
Runway 18 is not affected.

EXAMPLE-
!ALS ALS 20 THR DSPLCD 600 NONSTD MARKING

NOTE-
The first 600 feet of runway 20 is closed to landing aircraft. Aircraft departing on runway 20 or landing or departing runway 2 may use the full length. The threshold displacement is marked by nonstandard markings.

EXAMPLE-
!BNA M54 18/36 CLSD JET

NOTE-
Runways 18 and 36 are closed to jet aircraft. When closing a runway to a type of operation use the appropriate contractions. e.g., JET, ACR, SKED ACR, B747, etc.

EXAMPLE-
!BIG BIG 9/27 CLSD OVR 13500

NOTE-
Runways 9 and 27 are closed to all aircraft weighing more than 13,500 pounds. Do not use class of aircraft when closing runways. Always use aircraft weight.

EXAMPLE-
!DAY I17 8/26 CLSD TGL

NOTE-
Runways 8 and 26 closed to touch and go landing. When closing a runway to a given operation use the appropriate contractions; e.g., TGL, TSNT, STUDENT, LDG, TKOF, etc.

EXAMPLE-
!CMH CMH 10R/28L CLSD EXC 10 MIN PPR 120000/OVR  
   1330-2200 DLY  TIL 0005172200

!GNV 31J 10/28 E 3800 CLSD EXC 12500/OVR 1200-2100 DLY

!ICT 3K7 17/35 CLSD 4000/OVR

!MCN CCO 14/32 CLSD/PARL TWY 3000X75 AVBL DAY VMC/NO
   TSNT/NO PLA/NO STUDENT

!MLT MLT 16/34 UNMKD

!ROW ROW 3/21 CLSD EXC NE 9500 3 AVBL TKOF TIL  
   0006211450

4. Runway friction measuring as reported by airport management.

(a) Readings issued in thirds of a runway for the landing runway(s) only. Do not combine runways into a single NOTAM. NOTAMs shall not be issued if all readings are above the value 40. If a NOTAM was issued and the airport manager advises that the readings are above 40, the previous NOTAM shall be cancelled.

EXAMPLE-
!DCA DCA 18 RFT MU 52/30/42 WEF 0012251000

!RIC RIC 36 TAP MU 20/20/20 WEF 0012251200

NOTE-
1. These examples show that some segment values may be above the value of 40 and still be contained in a NOTAM D.

2. Friction measuring reports are to be expressed using the name of the FAA-approved device, followed by the word "MU" (pronounced "mew"), followed by the reported values, then followed by the actual time of the measurement.

3. Use the following abbreviations to indicate the type of friction measuring device used:
BOW	Bowmonk Decelerometer (Bowmonk Sales)
BRD	Brakementer-Dynometer
ERD	Electronic Recording Decelerometer (Bowmonk)
GRT	Griptester (Findlay, Irvine, LTD)
MUM	Mark 4 Mu Meter (Bison Instruments, Inc.)
RFT	Runway friction tester (K.J. LAW Engineers)
SFH	Surface friction tester (high pressure tire) (SAAB, Airport Surface Friction Tester AB)
SFL	Surface friction tester (low pressure tire) (SAAB, Airport Surface Friction Tester AB)
SKH	Skiddometer (high pressure tire)(AEC, Airport Equipment Co.)
SKL	Skiddometer (low pressure tire) (AEC, Airport Equipment Co.)
TAP	Tapley Decelerometer (Tapley Sales)
VER	Vericom (VC3000)

(b) Equipment status.

EXAMPLE-
!MSP MSP MU OTS

REFERENCE-
AC 150/5200-30A, Airport Winter Safety and Operations.

5. When reported by airport management, braking action is reported as fair, poor, or nil.

EXAMPLE-
!BTT BTT 1/19 BA POOR WEF 0102031200

!ANC Z15 1/19 BA NIL WEF 0102041300

!AKN AKN 18/36 BA POOR WEF 0102051400

!ANC ANC 1/19 BA FAIR WEF 0102061500

NOTE-
1. Do not include the type of vehicle in the NOTAM.

2. A braking action report from a landing aircraft should be processed as a PIREP.

3. Classify according to the most critical term used. The quality of the braking action is described by the terms "fair," "poor," and "nil," as received from airport management. Combining airport management and PIREP information is appropriate only with airport management authorization.

6. Change of runway identification.

EXAMPLE-
!PRC SJN 13/31 NOW 14/32

!PRC SJN 2/20 NOW 3/21

7. Rubber accumulation on the runways.

EXAMPLE-
!MAF MAF 16R/34L RUBBER ACCUM NW 2500

5-1-4. REPORTING OF SNOW, ICE, SLUSH, AND WATER CONDITIONS

a. The term BARE is not to be used in NOTAMs.

REFERENCE-
ICAO Annex 15 and AC 150/5200-28, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for Airport Operators.

b. Measurement. The depth is always expressed in terms of thin (less than 1/4 inch), 1/4 inch, 1/2 inch, and 1 inch. When 1 inch is reached, additional reports should be in multiples of 1 inch and the use of fractions discontinued. If a variable amount is reported, such as 3 to 5 inches, show the greater depth. When a snow depth of 35 inches is reached, additional reports should be in multiples of feet only. If a report is halfway between two reportable values, roundoff to the next higher reportable value.

c. Coverage. Do not express the condition in terms of percentage of coverage. A surface not completely covered should be described as having patches of snow, ice, etc.; e.g., PTCHY 1/2 IN SNW (surface). The absence of a described surface indicates the entire landing area.

d. Conditions.

1. Snow.

EXAMPLE-
MIV MIV 10/28 1/4 IN LSR WEF 0012251505

NOTE-
Millville runways 10 and 28 have one quarter inch of loose snow covering their runways, and this NOTAM was observed at 0012251505.

EXAMPLE-
!FAI INR 16/34 18 IN LSR WEF 0008132300

NOTE-
Mckinley Park's runways 16 and 34 have 18 inches of loose snow covering the runways.

EXAMPLE-
!ENA 5HO 16/34 THN PSR WEF 0008131520

NOTE-
Hope's runways 16 and 34 have a thin layer (less than a 1/4 inch) of packed or compacted snow.

EXAMPLE-
!ENA CLP 8/26 PTCHY THN WSR WEF 0008132300

NOTE-
Clarks Point's runways 8 and 26 have less than full coverage of a thin layer of wet snow (not slush).

EXAMPLE-
!ENA AK63 1/19 1/2 IN SN WEF 0008132359

NOTE-
Twin Hill's runways 1 and 19 have 1/2 inch of undefined snow.

EXAMPLE-
!ANI ANI 10/28 THN LSR OVR 1 IN PSR WEF 0008132000

!ANI ANI 10/28 THN LSR OVR THN PSR WEF 0008132000

!PAQ PAQ 9/27 6 IN RUF FRZN SN WEF 0008131900

2. Ice.

EXAMPLE-
!AKN AKN 11/29 THN IR WEF 0008131750

NOTE-
King Salmon's runways 11 and 29 have a thin layer of smooth ice or ice pellets.

EXAMPLE-
!AKN AKN 18/36 1 IN RUF IR WEF 0008132145

NOTE-
King Salmon's runways 18 and 36 are covered with 1 inch of rough ice (or frozen slush).

EXAMPLE-
!ENA BGQ 6/24 5 IN WSR OVR RUF IR WEF 0008132230

NOTE-
Big Lake's runways 6 and 24 are covered with 5 inches of wet snow, over rough ice, depth unknown.

3. Snow and ice.

EXAMPLE-
!ENA BGQ 6/24 5 IN SIR WEF 0008131910

NOTE-
Big Lake's runways 6 and 24 are covered with 5 inches of packed or compacted snow and ice. Do not use PSR/IR.

4. Slush.

EXAMPLE-
!BTT BTT 1/19 1 IN SLR WEF 0008132100

NOTE-
Bettles' runways 1 and 19 are covered with 1 inch of slush (not wet snow).

EXAMPLE-
!IAD IAD 1L/19R 1/2 IN FRZN SLR (may be described as RUF IR)
   WEF 0102041600

5. Water.

EXAMPLE-
!CLE CLE 1/2 IN WTR WEF 0102241700

!CLE CLE PTCHY 1/2 IN WTR WEF 0102250900

NOTE-
Do not refer to puddles.

6. Drifting or drifted snow.

NOTE-
DRFT is used to describe one or more drifts. When the drifts are variable in depth, report the greater depth.

EXAMPLE-
!SFF SFF 4 IN LSR 9 IN DRFT WEF 0102071900

NOTE-
Conditions prevail throughout the airport surface.

EXAMPLE-
!AVP AVP 4/22 5 IN DRFT WEF 0102201600

!IPT IPT 9/27 5 IN LSR 10 IN DRFT WEF 0102051200

7. Plowed/swept.

NOTE-
PLW/swept are used when indicating that a portion of a surface has been plowed or swept and is either bare or has depth, coverage, and conditions different from the surrounding area. When known, the surrounding area items will be specified as RMNDR and listed after the plowed information. Plowed/swept is omitted when the entire runway has been plowed.

EXAMPLE-
!OQU OQU 16/34 PLW 100 WIDE RMNDR 1/2 IN SIR WEF  
   0008132112

NOTE-
Quonset State's runway is wider than 100 feet and the area inside the center 100 feet is bare. The 1/2 inch of packed or compacted snow and ice (SIR) is outside the plowed area.

EXAMPLE-
!FAI FAI 1/19 PTCHY THN PSR SWEPT 75 WIDE WEF  
   0008131530

NOTE-
Fairbanks' runways 1 and 19 have patchy, thin-packed snow on them even though they have been swept.

8. Sanded, deiced.

EXAMPLE-
!MGW MGW 18/36 1/2 IN IR SA WEF 0102021300

NOTE-
This means that the entire runway has been sanded. If less than the published dimensions have been treated, indicate the length and/or width.

EXAMPLE-
!YAK YAK 11/29 THN SIR SA 80 WIDE RMNDR BA POOR 
   WEF 0102061530

NOTE-
Less than full width is sanded, and the conditions outside of the sanded area are as listed.

EXAMPLE-
!IAD IAD 12/30 DEICED LIQUID WEF 0102172100

!IAD IAD 12/30 DEICED SOLID 150 WIDE WEF 0102061615

NOTE-
Report the deicing material used as either "LIQUID" or "SOLID," as this may have operational significance to the pilot.

9. Snowbanks.

EXAMPLE-
!BTV BTV 15/33 3 IN SN 24 IN SNBNK WEF 0102111915
!BTV BTV 15/33 2 IN LSR PLW 100 WIDE 24 IN SNBNK
   WEF 0102101750

!BTV BTV 15/33 2 IN LSR PLW 100 WIDE 10 IN BERM 
   WEF 0102091415

NOTE-
Snowbanks shall be assumed to be at the edge of a movement surface, or when plow/swept are used, at the edge of the plowed/swept area.

10. Mud.

EXAMPLE-
!ENA ENA 1/19 PTCHY 2 IN MUD WEF 0008132140

!ENA ENA 1/19 THN MUD WEF 0008132210

11. Frost.

EXAMPLE-
!JNU JUN THN FROST WEF 0008132315

12. Frost Heave.

EXAMPLE-
!BET BET 11/29 FROST HEAVE NW 500 WEF 0011050030

13. Cracks.

EXAMPLE-
!ORT TSG 12/30 NMRS 5 IN CRACKS WEF 0011050105

14. Ruts.

EXAMPLE-
!TAL TAL 6/24 4 IN RUTS W 1000 WEF 0011051400

15. Soft Edge.

EXAMPLE-
!TAL TAL 6/24 SOFT EDGES WEF 0011051622

e. Every snow NOTAM shall have the time that the conditions were observed by the airport operator as the last element of the NOTAM. If no time was given, inquire as to when the condition was observed. If still unable to obtain a time, use the time when the NOTAM information was given to the flight service specialist. See snow NOTAM examples in subpara 5-1-4d for guidance.

f. Each NOTAM on snow, ice, slush, and water shall contain coverage, measurement (if known), conditions, and time of NOTAM observation issued in that order.

5-1-5. CERTIFICATED AIRPORT AIRCRAFT RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF)

a. Issue a NOTAM D on airports (not runways) certificated under 14 CFR Part 139, when notified by airport management that required ARFF equipment is inoperative/unavailable, and replacement equipment is not available. Except as indicated in subpara c, airport management has 48 hours to replace or substitute equipment before the index changes. Air carriers and others must be notified that ARFF equipment is out of service. Each NOTAM shall have an ending time as obtained from airport management. If unable to obtain an ending time, add 48 hours to the time of receipt and advise airport management.

NOTE-
1. The ARFF Index for each certificated airport is published in the AFD. Legend item 16 in the AFD lists indices and ARFF equipment requirements. ARFF Index Limited is not a NOTAM. At certificated airports listed in the AFD, the certificate holder (airport management) is required to notify air carriers by NOTAM when required ARFF equipment is inoperative/unavailable and replacement equipment is not available immediately. If the required Index level of capability is not restored within 48 hours, airport management is required to limit air carrier operations.

2. Permanent changes to the ARFF Index occurring during publication cycles are issued as FDC NOTAMs.

REFERENCE-
Title 14 CFR Part 139.

EXAMPLE-
!FTW FTW ARFF VEHICLE OTS INDEX UNCHANGED TIL 0005242100

!FTW FTW ARFF VEHICLE OTS INDEX UNCHANGED TIL 0005072200

b. If the ARFF vehicle is still out of service after 48 hours, the airport manager shall notify the AFSS/FSS of a temporary index change and approximate duration time.

EXAMPLE-
!FTW FTW ARFF NOW INDEX A TIL 0005072300

NOTE-
Even though the ARFF index is now A, four or less Index B aircraft may still operate into Fort Worth.

c. If the ARFF Index is listed in the AFD as A and the ARFF vehicle is out of service, issue the following NOTAM:

EXAMPLE-
!STS STS ARFF UNAVBL/AP CLSD TO ACR MORE THAN 30 PAX

5-1-6. CONTINUOUS SNOW REMOVAL OPERATIONS ON MULTIPLE RUNWAYS

A single NOTAM may be issued for continuous snow removal operations on alternating runways when all of the following conditions are met:

a. The air traffic control tower is in operation during the valid period of the NOTAM.

b. Anticipated alternating closure time for each runway is two hours or less.

c. Maximum valid time is limited to the period of continuous alternating snow removal.

d. Operations are based on a Letter of Agreement between airport management and the FSS and ATCT.

EXAMPLE-
!DEN DEN ALL RWYS ALTNLY CLSD SNOW REMOVAL WEF 0102231500

!SLC SLC INST RWYS ALTNLY CLSD SNOW REMOVAL WEF 0102241600

!DEN DEN ALL RWYS ALTNLY CLSD ICE REMOVAL WEF 0102251700

!SLC SLC INST RWYS ALTNLY CLSD ICE REMOVAL WEF 0102261800

5-1-7. NOTAM (L) MOVEMENT AREA INFORMATION

Disseminate the following reported conditions as NOTAM (L):

a. Conditions pertaining to single or multiple taxiways. Use runway format, identifying taxiway by number or letter assigned. If not identified, describe as adjacent to a runway or direction from the runway.

EXAMPLE-
B TWY CLSD
A1/B2 TWY CLSD

b. Personnel and equipment on or adjacent to runway.

EXAMPLE-
1/19 PAEW
2/20 PAEW ADJ

NOTE-
This criteria is used for runway checks and other events of short durations. Otherwise the runway should be closed.

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