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.
- Class I NOTAMs
- Class II NOTAMs
- International NOTAMs
- Domestic NOTAMs
- Civil NOTAMs
- Military NOTAMs
- Published NOTAMs
- FDC NOTAMs
- Center Area NOTAMs
- NOTAM (D)S Including (U) and (O) NOTAMs
Class I NOTAMs (ICAO): NOTAMs distributed by means of telecommunication.
Class II NOTAMs (ICAO) or Published NOTAMs: NOTAMs distributed by means other than telecommunications. In the United States these NOTAMs are published in the Notices To Airmen Publication (NTAP) which is issued every 28 days.
International NOTAMs: Any NOTAM intended for distribution to more than one country would be considered an international NOTAM. However, an FSS does not have access to all international NOTAMs. For our purposes I will limit the definition to international NOTAMs that we at an FSS have access to. This would include NOTAMs stored in ICAO format in the United States NOTAM System (USNS) or published in the International NOTAMs section of the NTAP. The USNS stores international NOTAMs separately from domestic NOTAMs, but only for selected locations both inside and outside the United States. These NOTAMs are not included in a standard weather briefing unless specifically requested.
Domestic NOTAMs: NOTAMs that are primarily distributed within the United States although they may also be available in Canada. Domestic NOTAMs stored in the USNS are coded in a domestic format rather than an ICAO format.
Civil NOTAMs: Any NOTAM that is part of the civil NOTAM system which includes any NOTAM this is not part of the military NOTAM system.
Military NOTAMs: Any NOTAM that is part of the military NOTAM system which primarily includes NOTAMs on military airports and military airspace.
FDC NOTAMs: Flight Data Center NOTAMs are NOTAMs that are regulatory in nature such as changes to an instrument approach procedure or airway. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are also issued as FDC NOTAMs.
Center Area NOTAMs: An FDC NOTAM issued for a condition that is not limited to one airport, therefore it is filed under the Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) that controls the airspace involved. TFRs, airway changes and laser light activity are examples of this type of NOTAM. This becomes very important to know when looking for NOTAMs on your own. For example you must retrieve ZAN FDC NOTAMs for flights in Alaska because ZAN is the code for Anchorage ARTCC which is the controlling Center for all of Alaska.
NOTAM (D): A NOTAM given (in addition to local dissemination) distant dissemination beyond the area of responsibility of the Flight Service Station. This type of NOTAM now includes (U) NOTAMs and (O) NOTAMs. (U) NOTAMs are unverified NOTAMs which are those that are received from a source other than airport management and have not yet been confirmed by management personnel. This is allowed only at those airports where airport management has authorized it by Letter of Agreement. (O) NOTAMs are other aeronautical information which does not meet NOTAM criteria but may be beneficial to aircraft operations.
- The FAA is working to make U.S. NOTAMs comply with ICAO standards.
- U.S. NOTAM teams have begun site visits to airline operations centers and meeting with dispatchers to gain insight on NOTAM issues (MS PowerPoint).
Latest Updates
- On February 10, 2025, the term "Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM)" was changed to "Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)", and the title of FAA Order 7930.2 was changed to "Notice to Airmen (NOTAM)".
- Revisions to NOTAM Order 7930.2S includes examples to format for date and time, ICAO contractions and ability to issue seven (7) days prior to an event.
- Part 139 CertAlert on NOTAMs for Airport Operators (PDF)
- Safety Risk Management Document: Dissolving NTAP Part 1 (PDF)