U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

Section 4. Terms of Reference

1-4-1. WORD MEANINGS

As used in this order:

a. “Must” means a procedure is mandatory.

b. “Should” means a procedure is recommended.

c. “May” or “need not” means a procedure is optional.

d. “Will” indicates futurity, not a requirement for application of a procedure.

e. “Must not” means a procedure is prohibited.

f. Singular words include the plural.

g. Plural words include the singular.

h. Miles means nautical miles unless otherwise stated.

1-4-2. NOTES

Statements of fact of an introductory or explanatory nature and relating to the use of directive material have been identified and worded as NOTE.

1-4-3. EXAMPLES

Any illustration used which serves to explain subject material is identified as an EXAMPLE. They are representative of the format discussed in each section. Not all components of the NAS will be illustrated with an example.

1-4-4. REFERENCES

When another paragraph of this order is referenced in the text, the referenced paragraph number will be printed out in full. When a paragraph is referenced in a Reference subparagraph, the referenced paragraph's title, followed by its number, will be printed in regular type. When other documents and directives are referenced in a Reference subparagraph, the document/directive and the paragraph number will be printed in regular type. All references to other FAA orders reflect the current edition of the order.

1-4-5. MANUAL CHANGES

When revised, reprinted, or additional pages are issued, they will be marked as follows:

a. Each revised or additional page will show the change number and effective date of the change.

b. Vertical lines in the margin of the text will mark the location of substantive procedural, operational, or policy changes; that is, when material which affects the performance of duty is added, revised, or deleted.

1-4-6. DEFINITIONS

The terms below as used in this order are defined in this section.

a. Accountable Organization. The accountable organization is responsible for accurately reporting the condition considered to be a hazard or potential hazard to flight operations. Reporting the condition must be accomplished by ensuring that procedures are developed to establish NOTAM origination and coordination responsibilities.

b. Accountability Location. This is the location identifier of the location in the NOTAM computer that keeps track of the NOTAM numbering.

c. Aeronautical Information. Any information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any component (facility, service, or procedure of, or hazard) of the NAS. This information is published and/or disseminated by means of aeronautical charts, publications, and/or NOTAMs.

d. Airport Operating Certificate. A certificate issued by the FAA, pursuant to 14 CFR Part 139, to airports serving or expected to serve scheduled air carrier operations in aircraft with a seating capacity of more than thirty passengers. These airports are maintained and operated in accordance with an Airport Certification Manual (ACM) prepared by airport management and approved by the FAA.

e. Alaska Supplement. See Supplement.

f. Center Area NOTAM (CAN). CANs are NOTAMs issued on airway changes, temporary flight restrictions (TFR) and laser light activity that fall within an ARTCCs airspace. CANs will be issued in the FDC format by the USNOF.

g. Certified Airport. An airport certificated under 14 CFR Part 139. These airports are so indicated in the airport/facility directory.

h. Certified Source. The party who enters/submits a NOTAM to the USNS using an approved direct entry tool or interface.

i. Chart Supplement. See Supplement.

j. Distribution. Forwarding of NOTAM information from the USNS to NADIN.

k.  Fix/Radial/Distance (F/R/D). Is a VOR identifier followed by 3­digit degrees magnetic and 3­digit distance in nautical miles with no spaces between characters (SAC360020 would be 360­degree radial, 20NM from SAC).

l. Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAM. FDC NOTAMS are normally used to disseminate safety of flight information relating to regulatory material as well as to all Instrument Flight Procedures and are issued through the USNOF.

m. Limited Airport Operating Certificate. A certificate issued by the FAA, pursuant to 14 CFR Part 139, to airports serving or expected to serve only unscheduled air carrier operations in aircraft with seating capacity of more than thirty passengers. These airports are maintained and operated in accordance with Airport Certification Specification .

n. Movement Area. The term Movement Area as used for the purpose of NOTAMs include Runways, Taxiways, Ramps, Aprons, helipads and maneuvering areas.

o. NOTAM D. A notice distributed by means of telecommunications containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.

p. NOTAM Originator. The party who submits a NOTAM to the USNS using an approved interface and is accountable for the NOTAM coordination.

q. Pacific Chart Supplement. See Supplement.

r. Reduced. Used to denote possible communications problems that may prevent data from being delivered. If the data is received, it is good; therefore, it is reliable. However, when the coverage is reduced, the data may not be received, or there may be a loss of signal during flight; once that signal is received again it is deemed usable.

s. Supplement (Alaska, Pacific).

1. Alaska. This chart supplement is a joint civil­military flight information publication designed for use with other flight information publications, en route charts, Alaska Terminal publication, USAF TACAN charts covering Alaska and portions of southwestern and northwestern Canada, World Aeronautical Charts, and sectional aeronautical charts. The Supplement contains an airport/facility directory of all airports (including certificated (14 CFR Part 139) airports shown on en route charts and those required by appropriate agencies), communications data, navigational facilities, special notices, and procedures applicable to the area of chart coverage.

2. Pacific. This chart supplement is a civil flight information publication, designed for use with flight information publications, en route charts and the sectional aeronautical chart covering the State of Hawaii and that area of Pacific served by U.S. facilities. The Supplement contains an airport/facility directory of all airports (including certificated (14 CFR Part 139) airports open to the public and those requested by appropriate agencies), communications data, navigational facilities, special notices and procedures applicable to the Pacific area.

t. Tie­In Station. A flight service station designated to provide prescribed services for civil, military, national and international facilities; for example, NOTAM purposes and flight information messages.

u. Location Designator. Used to designate either an affected airport, center, or facility.