What is a NOTAM?

Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs)

A NOTAM is a notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations but not known far enough in advance to be publicized by other means. It states the abnormal status of a component of the National Airspace System (NAS) – not the normal status.

  • NOTAMs indicate the real-time and abnormal status of the NAS impacting every user.
  • NOTAMs concern the establishment, condition, or change of any facility, service, procedure or hazard in the NAS.
  • NOTAMs have a unique language using special contractions to make communication more efficient.

The FAA updated two new NOTAM primers for airports and pilots that identify common issues and best practices. For instance, did you know that you should always check 25 nautical miles to either side of your full route of flight to ensure relevant NAVAID NOTAMs are displayed? Review the primers for NOTAM components, common issues, best practices, FAQs and more.

NOTAM Modernization

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a new, modernized Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) Management Service (NMS) to enhance the safety and efficiency of air traffic control. This new system, which began operations on September 29, provides critical alerts about airspace changes and is a key step toward transitioning to a single-source NOTAM service by late Spring 2026. The NMS features a user-friendly, cloud-hosted interface that offers near-real-time data exchange and improved collaboration for pilots and flight planners. The modernization efforts were expedited to enhance safety and efficiency for both pilots and travelers. 

Latest Updates

Last updated: Tuesday, September 30, 2025