Section 2. Lighting Aid and Obstruction NOTAMs

1. LIGHTING AIDS

…RWY 27 RTHL U/S…

See Appendix A for examples.

Originate NOTAMs on operational status of lighting aids for public use civil landing areas listed in the U.S. Chart Supplement. Each type of lighting requires separate NOTAMs. Technical Operations must be made aware of any runway lighting outages, as this is the office that maintains the equipment. When describing restrictions, use Runway Centerline (RCL) with visual navigational aids. NOTAMS regarding lighting aids are originated as follows:

1. Approach light systems (ALS). Only use the runway direction for which the equipment pertains.

1. When commissioning approach light systems, indicate the exact type of system; for example, MALSR, MALSF, etc.
2. Once commissioned and published, approach light systems need only be shown as ALS.
3. When the ALS has been changed to the simplified, short ALS with with runway alignment lights, issue the condition as temporarily changed (“NOW”). Do not use out of service/unserviceable.

1. Lead off /lead on lights. NOTAMs issued using keyword RWY. Lead off and lead on light will be the standardized verbiage for lead off/on lights, which are also referred to as turnoff lights.
2. Runway status light system.

1. Runway entrance lights. NOTAMs issued using keyword TWY
2. Take-off hold lights.

1. Sequence flashing lights/runway alignment indicator lights.
2. Visual approach lighting.

1. Visual approach slope indicator (VASI).
2. Precision approach path indicator (PAPI).
3. Runway end identifier lights.
4. Threshold lights (RTHL).

1. Runway end lights (RENL).

1. Runway edge lights (REDL).

1. When commissioning runway edge light systems, indicate the exact type of system; for example, LIRL, MIRL, HIRL, etc.
2. Once commissioned and published, runway edge lights must only be shown as REDL.
3. Runway lights obscured due to snow and ice.

1. Runway centerline light (RCLL).
2. Touchdown zone lights (RTZL).
3. Runway lead-in lighting system (RLLS).
4. Airport lighting total power failure.
5. Pilot-controlled lighting (PCL) frequency when it controls approach lights or runway lights.
6. Taxiway lighting.

1. Taxiway edge lights.
2. Taxiway centerline lights.
3. Runway guard lights. NOTAM issued using keyword TWY.
4. Stop bar lights. NOTAM issued using keyword TWY.
5. Taxiway lights obscured due to snow and ice.

1. OBSTACLES

…OBST CRANE (ASN 20YY-ACE-5-NRA) 345140N0804506W (1.44NM SW N52) 580FT (195FT AGL) NOT LGTD…

See Appendix A for examples.

1. Obstructions to include telecommunications antenna tower lights, cranes, stacks, wind turbines, non-FCC towers, power lines, moored balloon, kites, natural growth/terrain, etc.
2. Any failure or malfunction which affects a top light or flashing obstacle light regardless of its position is a condition for a NOTAM.
3. Commercial tower light operators must report the operating status of tower lights and ensure that a NOTAM is originated via a direct entry tool or contacting FSS.
4. The NOTAM text for obstructions to air navigation must be formatted as follows 4-2-1 b 1-2, including:

1. Location Identifier: For wind turbine farms, use the ARTCC under which the farm falls.
2. Keyword “OBST.”
3. Specify the attribute; for example, “TOWER LGT”, “CRANE,” “STACK,” “ACFT TAIL,” “BLDG,” “MOORED BALLOON”, “KITE” etc.
4. Assigned obstruction identifier.

1. For FCC Towers, the Antenna Structure Registration (ASR), if known, in parentheses. If the ASR is not known, indicate by (ASR UNKNOWN) in the NOTAM.
2. For Cranes, Stacks, etc., the Aeronautical Study Number (ASN), if known, in parentheses. If the ASN is not known, indicate by (ASN UNKNOWN) in the NOTAM. Do not include the ASN for wind turbine farm NOTAMs, see examples.
3. For Moored Balloon, which requires a waiver to 14 CFR Part 101, the assigned obstruction identifier is not required.

1. For FCC Tower Obstructions, enter the location by latitude and longitude to the nearest one hundredth of a second. For wind turbine farms, if using latitude and longitude, provide the coordinates for the center point of the wind farm, or the coordinates for one of the turbines closest to the center. If the latitude and longitude is not known, use “UNKNOWN”. For all other obstacles, use the latitude and longitude to the nearest second, or fix/radial/distance, or a nautical mile radius of a NAVAID.
2. Plain language location in parentheses.

1. When the obstacle is within 5SM of an airport, describe the plain language location in feet or nautical miles using 16 points of compass from a specified location on the airport; for example, (.5NM E APCH END RWY 18) (2000FT SSE DEP END RWY 20) (2NM SSW ACY).
2. When the obstacle is within 500 feet either side of the centerline of a charted helicopter route, or 5SM or more from an airport and more than 200 feet AGL, describe the plain language location by using the bearing, distance, and aerodrome designator of the nearest public-use airport; for example, (12NM SSW SPA).

1. Specify the altitude MSL with the unit of measurement (FT), if known. Otherwise state UNKNOWN. For wind turbine farms, use the tallest height of a turbine within the farm.
2. In parentheses, specify the height with the unit of measurement (FT) and reference datum (AGL).
   NOTE−
   Report the height of obstruction lights on terrain (hills) in MSL only, as the terrain is the obstacle, not the light on the terrain
3. Specify the condition:

1. “U/S” for FCC obstructions. A light condition of unserviceable refers to a top light or flashing obstruction light is not operating, regardless of its position.
2. “NOT LGTD,” “LGTD,” “FLAGGED” for non-FCC obstructions, for example. As used in a NOTAM, NOT LGTD refers to a facility (sign) that is installed, but the lights aren't lit.

1. Start of Activity/End of Validity. FCC receives notification upon ASR NOTAM issuance.
2. OBST NOTAMs must not be issued as PERM, unless initiated by those associated with the obstacle publication process. To initiate the publication process of obstacles, contact the FAA Obstacle Data Team at 9-ajv-532-obstdata-req@faa.gov.