Appendix B. International NOTAM (Q) Codes

This appendix is to be used to interpret the contents of coded international NOTAMs. A NOTAM code group contains five letters.

l. The first letter is always the letter “Q” to indicate a code abbreviation for use in the composition of NOTAMs.

m. The second and third letters identify the subject being reported. (See Second and Third Letter Decode Tables).

n. The fourth and fifth letters identify the status of operation of the subject being reported. (See Fourth and Fifth Letter Decode Tables).

Second and Third Letter Decode Tables

ATM Airspace Organization (A)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

AA

Minimum altitude (specify en route/crossing/safe)

mnm alt

AC

Class B, C, D, or E Surface Area

ctr

AD

Air defense identification zone

adiz

AE

Control area

cta

AF

Flight information region

fir

AH

Upper control area

uta

AL

Minimum usable flight level

mnm usable fl

AN

Area navigation route

rnav rte

AO

Oceanic control area

oca

AP

Reporting point (specify name or coded designator)

rep

AR

ATS route (specify)

ats route

AT

Terminal control area

tma

AU

Upper flight information region

uir

AV

Upper advisory area

uda

AX

Significant point

sig

AZ

Aerodrome traffic zone

atz

 

CNS Communications and Surveillance Facilities (C)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

CA

Air/ground facility (specify service and frequency)

a/g fac

CB

Automatic dependent surveillance — broadcast (details)

ads-b

CC

Automatic dependent surveillance — contract (details)

ads-c

CD

Controller-pilot data link communications (details)

cpdlc

CE

En route surveillance radar

rsr

CG

Ground controlled approach system (GCA)

gca

CL

Selective calling system (SELCAL)

selcal

CM

Surface movement radar

smr

CP

Precision approach radar (PAR) (specify runway)

par

CR

Surveillance radar element of precision approach radar system (specify wavelength)

sre

CS

Secondary surveillance radar (SSR)

ssr

CT

Terminal area surveillance radar (TAR)

tar

 

AGA Facilities and Services (F)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

FA

Aerodrome

ad

FB

Friction measuring device (specify type)

Friction measuring device

FC

Ceiling measurement equipment

ceiling measurement eqpt

FD

Docking system (specify AGNIS, BOLDS, etc.)

dckg system

FE

Oxygen (specify type)

oxygen

FF

Fire fighting and rescue

fire and rescue

FG

Ground movement control

gnd mov ctl

FH

Helicopter alighting area/platform

hel alighting area

FI

Aircraft de-icing (specify)

acft de-ice

FJ

Oils (specify type)

oil

FL

Landing direction indicator

ldi

FM

Meteorological service (specify type)

met

FO

Fog dispersal system

fog dispersal

FP

Heliport

heliport

FS

Snow removal equipment

snow removal eqpt

FT

Transmissometer (specify runway and, where applicable, designator(s) of transmissometer(s))

transmissometer

FU

Fuel availability

fuel avbl

FW

Wind direction indicator

wdi

FZ

Customs/immigration

Cust/immigration

 

CNS GNSS Services (G)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

GA

GNSS airfield-specific operations (specify operation)

gnss airfield

GW

GNSS area-wide operations (specify operation)

gnss area

 

CNS Instrument and Microwave Landing System (I)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

IC

Instrument landing system (specify runway)

ils

ID

DME associated with ILS

ils dme

IG

Glide path (ILS) (specify runway)

ils gp

II

Inner marker (ILS) (specify runway)

ils im

IL

Localizer (ILS) (specify runway)

ils loc

IM

Middle marker (ILS) (specify runway)

ils mm

IN

Localizer (not associated with ILS)

loc

IO

Outer marker (ILS) (specify runway)

ils om

IS

ILS Category I (specify runway)

ils cat I

IT

ILS Category II (specify runway)

ils cat II

IU

ILS Category III (specify runway)

ils cat III

IW

Microwave landing system (MLS) (specify runway)

mls

IX

Locator, outer (ILS) (specify runway)

ils lo

IY

Locator, middle (ILS) (specify runway)

ils lm

 

AGA Lighting Facilities (L)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

LA

Approach lighting system (specify runway and type)

als

LB

Aerodrome beacon

abn

LC

Runway centre line lights (specify runway)

rcll

LD

Landing direction indicator lights

ldi lgt

LE

Runway edge lights (specify runway)

redl

LF

Sequenced flashing lights (specify runway)

sequenced flg lgt

LG

Pilot-controlled lighting

pcl

LH

High intensity runway lights (specify runway)

high intst rwy lgt

LI

Runway end identifier lights (specify runway)

rwy end id lgt

LJ

Runway alignment indicator lights (specify runway)

rai lgt

LK

Category II components of approach lighting system (specify runway)

category II components als

LL

Low intensity runway lights (specify runway)

low intst rwy lgt

LM

Medium intensity runway lights (specify runway)

medium intst rwy lgt

LP

Precision approach path indicator (specify runway)

papi

LR

All landing area lighting facilities

ldg area lgt fac

LS

Stopway lights (specify runway)

stwl

LT

Threshold lights (specify runway)

thr lgt

LU

Helicopter approach path indicator

hapi

LV

Visual approach slope indicator system (specify type and runway)

vasis

LW

Heliport lighting

heliport lgt

LX

Taxiway centre line lights (specify taxiway)

twy cl lgt

LY

Taxiway edge lights (specify taxiway)

twy edge lgt

LZ

Runway touchdown zone lights (specify runway)

rtzl

 

AGA Movement and Landing Area (M)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

MA

Movement area

mov area

MB

Bearing strength (specify part of landing area or movement area)

bearing strength

MC

Clearway (specify runway)

cwy

MD

Declared distances (specify runway)

declared dist

MG

Taxiing guidance system

tgs

MH

Runway arresting gear (specify runway)

rag

MK

Parking area

prkg area

MM

Daylight markings (specify threshold, centre line, etc.)

day markings

MN

Apron

apron

MO

Stopbar (specify runway)

rag

MP

Aircraft stands (specify)

acft stand

MR

Runway (specify runway)

rwy

MS

Stopway (specify runway)

swy

MT

Threshold (specify runway)

thr

MU

Runway turning bay (specify runway)

rwy turning bay

MW

Strip/shoulder (specify runway)

Strip/shoulder

MX

Taxiway(s) (specify)

twy

MY

Rapid exit taxiway (specify)

Rapid exit twy

 

COM Terminal and En Route Navigation Facilities (N)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

NA

All radio navigation facilities (except...)

all rdo nav fac

NB

Nondirectional radio beacon

ndb

NC

DECCA

decca

ND

Distance measuring equipment (DME)

dme

NF

Fan marker

fan mkr

NL

Locator (specify identification)

l

NM

VOR/DME

vor/dme

NN

TACAN

tacan

NO

OMEGA

omega

NT

VORTAC

vortac

NV

VOR

vor

 

Other Information (O)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

OA

Aeronautical information service

ais

OB

Obstacle (specify details)

obst

OE

Aircraft entry requirements

acft entry rqmnts

OL

Obstacle lights on ... (specify)

obst lgt

OR

Rescue coordination centre

rcc

 

ATM Air Traffic Procedures (P)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

PA

Standard instrument arrival (specify route designator)

star

PB

Standard VFR arrival

stc vfr arr

PC

Contingency procedures

contingency proc

PD

Standard instrument departure (specify route designator)

sid

PE

Standard VFR departure

stf vfr dep

PF

Flow control procedure

flow ctl proc

PH

Holding procedure

hldg proc

PI

Instrument approach procedure (specify type and runway)

instr apch proc

PK

VFR approach procedure

vfr apch proc

PL

Flight plan processing (filing and related contingency)

fpl

PM

Aerodrome operating minima (specify procedure and amended minimum)

opr minima

PN

Noise operating restriction

noise opr restrictions

PO

Obstacle clearance altitude and height (specify procedure)

oca och

PR

Radio failure procedure

rdo failure proc

PT

Transition altitude or transition level (specify)

ta/trl

PU

Missed approach procedure (specify runway)

missed apch proc

PX

Minimum holding altitude (specify fix)

mnm hldg alt

PZ

ADIZ procedure

adiz proc

 

Navigation Warnings: Airspace Restrictions (R)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

RA

Airspace reservation (specify)

airspace reservation

RD

Danger area (specify)

..d..

RM

Military operating area

moa

RO

Overflying of ... (specify)

overflying

RP

Prohibited area (specify)

..p..

RR

Restricted area (specify)

..r..

RT

Temporary restricted area (specify area)

tempo restricted area

 

ATM Air Traffic and VOLMET Services (S)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

SA

Automatic terminal information service

atis

SB

ATS reporting office

aro

SC

Area control centre

acc

SE

Flight information service

fis

SF

Aerodrome flight information service

afis

SL

Flow control centre

flow ctl centre

SO

Oceanic area control centre

oac

SP

Approach control service

app

SS

Flight service station

fss

ST

Aerodrome control tower

twr

SU

Upper area control centre

uac

SV

VOLMET broadcast

volmet

SY

Upper advisory service (specify)

upper advisory ser

 

Navigation Warnings: Warnings (W)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

WA

Air display

air display

WB

Aerobatics

aerobatics

WC

Captive balloon or kite

captive balloon/kite

WD

Demolition of explosives

demolition of explosives

WE

Exercises (specify)

exer

WF

Air refueling

air refueling

WG

Glider flying

gld fly

WH

Blasting

blasting

WJ

Banner/target towing

banner/target towing

WL

Ascent of free balloon

ascent of free balloon

WM

Missile, gun or rocket firing

Missile/gun/rocket/frng

WP

Parachute jumping exercise, paragliding, or hang gliding

Pje/paragliding/hang gliding

WR

Radioactive materials or toxic chemicals (specify)

pje

WS

Burning or blowing gas

burning or blowing gas

WT

Mass movement of aircraft

mass mov of acft

WU

Unmanned aircraft

formation flt

WV

Formation flight

formation flt

WW

Significant volcanic activity

formation flt

WY

Aerial survey

model flying

WZ

Model flying

model flying

Fourth and Fifth Letter Decode Tables

Availability (A)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

AC

Withdrawn for maintenance

withdrawn maint

AD

Available for daylight operation

avbl day ops

AF

Flight checked and found reliable

fltck okay

AG

Operating but ground checked only, awaiting flight check

opr but gnd ck only, awaiting fltck

AH

Hours of service are now…(specify)

hr ser

AK

Resumed normal operations

okay

AL

Operative (or reoperative) subject to previously published limitations/conditions

Opr subj previous cond

AM

Military operations only

mil ops only

AN

Available for night operation

avbl night ops

AO

Operational

opr

AP

Available, prior permission required

avbl, ppr

AR

Available on request

avbl o/r

AS

Unserviceable

u/s

AU

Not available (specify reason if appropriate)

not avbl

AW

Completely withdrawn

withdrawn

AX

Previously promulgated shutdown has been canceled

promulgated shutdown cnl

 

Changes (C)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

CA

Activated

act

CC

Completed

cmpl

CD

Deactivated

deactivated

CE

Erected

erected

CF

Operating frequency(ies) changed to

opr freq changed to

CG

Downgraded to

downgraded to

CH

Changed

changed

CI

Identification or radio call sign changed to

Ident/rdo call sign changed to

CL

Realigned

realigned

CM

Displaced

displaced

CN

Canceled

cnl

CO

Operating

opr

CP

Operating on reduced power

opr reduced pwr

CR

Temporarily replaced by

tempo rplcd by

CS

Installed

instl

CT

On test, do not use

on test, do not use

 

Hazard Conditions (H)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

HA

1) Poor

2) Medium/Poor

3) Medium

4) Medium/Good

5) Good

Braking action is ...

ba is…

HB

Friction coefficient is ... (specify friction measurement device used)

friction coefficient is

HC

Covered by compacted snow to depth of

cov compacted snow depth

HD

Covered by dry snow to a depth of

cov dry snow depth

HE

Covered by water to a depth of

cov water depth

HF

Totally free of snow and ice

free of sn and ice

HG

Grass cutting in progress

grass cutting inpr

HH

Hazard due to (specify)

hazard due

HI

Covered by ice

cov ice

HJ

Launch planned ... (specify balloon flight identification or project code name, launch site, planned period of launch(es)-date/ time, expected climb direction, estimate time to pass 18 000 m (60 000 ft), or reaching cruise level if at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft), together with estimated location)

launch plan

HK

Bird migration in progress

bird migration inpr

HL

Snow clearance completed

sn clr cmpl

HM

Marked by

marked by

HN

Covered by wet snow or slush to a depth of

cov wet sn/slush depth

HO

Obscured by snow

obscured by sn

HP

Snow clearance in progress

sn clr inpr

HQ

Operation canceled ... (specify balloon flight identification or project code name)

opr cnl

HR

Standing water

standing water

HS

Sanding in progress

sanding inpr

HT

Approach according to signal area only

apch according signal

HU

Launch in progress ... (specify balloon flight identification or project code name, launch site, date/time of launch(es), estimated time passing 18 000 m (60 000 ft), or reaching cruising level if at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft), together with estimated location, estimated date/time of termination of the flight, and planned location of ground contact when applicable)

launch inpr

HV

Work completed

work cmpl

HW

Work in progress

wip

HX

Concentration of birds

bird concentration

HY

Snow banks exist (specify height)

sn banks hgt

HZ

Covered by frozen ruts and ridges

cov frozen ruts and ridges

 

Limitations (L)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

LA

Operating on auxiliary power supply

opr aux pwr

LB

Reserved for aircraft based therein

reserved for acft based therein

LC

Closed

clsd

LD

Unsafe

unsafe

LE

Operating without auxiliary power supply

opr wo aux pwr

LF

Interference from

interference fm

LG

Operating without identification

opr without ident

LH

Unserviceable for aircraft heavier than

u/s acft heavier than

LI

Closed to IFR operations

clsd ifr ops

LK

Operating as a fixed light

opr as f lgt

LL

Usable for length of...and width of...

usable len…/wid…

LN

Closed to all night operations

clsd to all ngt ops

LP

Prohibited to

prohibited to

LR

Aircraft restricted to runways and taxiways

acft restricted to rwy and twy

LS

Subject to interruption

subj intrp

LT

Limited to

ltd to

LV

Closed to VFR operations

clsd vfr ops

LW

Will take place

will take place

LX

Operating but caution advised due to

opr but ctn adz due to

 

Other (XX)

Code

Signification

Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology

XX

Where 4th and 5th letter Code does not cover the situation, use XX and supplement by plain language

(plain language following the NOTAM Code)