T-45A UJPT, E2-C2 INav-09
Flight Planning (Departure)
Information provided by the Notices To Airmen (NOTAM) System 2.1.8.6
A NOTAM is a notice containing information (not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other
means) concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any component (facility, service, or
procedure of, or hazard) in the National Space System the timely knowledge of which is essential to
personnel concerned with flight operations. Dissemination is immediate via the National NOTAM system.
It is always incumbent upon the pilot to check the FLIP publications and, shortly before flight, the NOTAMs
for the destination, possible alternates, and route of flight.
Aircrews clearing from locations that do not maintain DOD NOTAM summaries can obtain a NOTAM
briefing by contacting one of the installations listed in the FLIP, Flight Information Handbook, Section C, or
the nearest aeronautical information service.
The NOTAM system is in process of being modernized. Pilots may encounter the older
telecommunications-based (teletype) systems and the new computer-based systems, both of which are
described in the following text.
“PERMANENT NOTAMS”
FLIP publications, especially AP/1, contain necessary information to consider in preflight planning. AP/1
and the FAA NOTAM publication contain NOTAMs in effect for long periods, varying from four weeks to
six months. Although not part of the telecommunications/electronic NOTAM system, some refer to these
notifications as “permanent NOTAMs” due to their content and longer duration.
Telecommunications or computers transmit NOTAMs of up to 90 days’ duration that update the printed
NOTAM publications.
FAA NOTAMS (“CIVILIAN NOTAMS”)
If a flight will terminate at a civil airport, aircrews should obtain FAA “D” and “L” series NOTAMs and check
the FAA’s “NOTICES TO AIRMEN” booklet which should be on the NOTAM board in base ops. (Figure
2). The limited Civil NOTAM coverage by the Military NOTAM system necessitates this additional
research. The FSS can research NOTAMs if they are unavailable.
A brief description of the FAA telecommunications-based types of NOTAMs follows:
NOTAM TYPE
DESCRIPTION
L (local)
L NOTAMs are not attached to hourly weather reports but are given local
dissemination by voice and other means, such as teleautograph and telephone, to
satisfy local user requirements. NOTAM L information includes such data as
taxiway closures, personnel and equipment near or crossing runways, airport
rotating beacon outages, and airport lighting aids that do not affect instrument
approach criteria, such as VASI. The local FSS is the only facility that maintains a
file of local NOTAMS in its area.
D (distant)
D NOTAMs are given (in addition to local dissemination) distant dissemination
beyond the FSS's area of responsibility. Service A telecommunication system
automatically distributes NOTAM D information. FSSs have access to the entire
NOTAM D file which contains information on all navigational facilities and public
use airports in the Airport/Facility Directory (AFD). D NOTAMs will be stored and
available at the FSS until canceled.
(6-99) Original
Page 9-6
Previous Page
