NOTAMs Explained: What Every Pilot Needs to Know Before Every Flight

What is a NOTAM?

A Notice to Air Missions, commonly referred to as a NOTAM, is a crucial communication tool in aviation that ensures safety and situational awareness by informing pilots and dispatchers of time-sensitive information. These notices are issued by aviation authorities such as the FAA (in the United States) or respective international counterparts and can include a broad range of updates—from temporary runway closures to the activation of restricted airspace.

The purpose of NOTAMs is to communicate any changes or conditions that could impact flight safety or operations. For instance, a NOTAM might notify crews about construction on taxiways, new obstructions near the approach path, or disruptions to navigational aids. Because conditions in aviation can change quickly, NOTAMs are designed to be timely, precise, and universally understood by aviation professionals.

Key Characteristics:

• Time-sensitive: NOTAMs are released dynamically and are often valid for a specific timeframe, sometimes lasting only hours or minutes.
• Geographically specific: Each NOTAM pertains to a particular location or flight region, ensuring relevance for pilots flying in that airspace.
• Globally standardized format: Although there may be national variations, most NOTAMs follow ICAO-recommended formats and abbreviations.
• Mandatory review: Reviewing NOTAMs is a required part of any preflight checklist, reinforcing their critical nature in aviation operations.

Where to Find NOTAMs

Accessing NOTAMs has become significantly more user-friendly with the growth of electronic flight bag (EFB) technology and digital briefing platforms. Pilots today have several ways to review NOTAMs during preflight planning—ranging from official government portals to integrated features in planning services like Genesis PRO Performance and FlyQ+, which centralize briefings and alerts.

While NOTAMs provide operational alerts like runway closures, TFRs, and NAVAID outages, they are only one part of the preflight briefing puzzle. Accurate weather data—such as METARs and TAFs—is equally essential. Together, these briefings give pilots a fuller picture of real-time and forecasted flight conditions. Read our article on decoding METARs and TAFs to understand how weather and NOTAMs should be evaluated side by side.

Official Sources:

• FAA NOTAM Search: The FAA provides a dedicated NOTAM search portal where users can find real-time NOTAMs filtered by location, time, and keyword.
• ICAO Access: For international operations, NOTAMs can be accessed through respective national authorities that distribute ICAO-compliant notices.

Recommended Tools for Access:

• Genesis PRO Performance: A premium aircraft performance solution from APG that integrates NOTAMs directly into dispatch workflows, combining them with performance data and runway analysis for clearer operational planning.
• FlyQ+: Built to offer general aviation pilots streamlined access to weather, NOTAMs, and airport information—all in a single, intuitive interface.

Decoding a NOTAM: Symbols and Shorthand

Reading a NOTAM can feel like interpreting a secret code for those unfamiliar with the structure. However, once a pilot understands the formatting, it becomes a rapid and effective method of conveying information. A NOTAM typically consists of a coded line of text divided into several key sections:

Key Components:

• Q-line (Qualifier): This line classifies the nature of the NOTAM (e.g., navigation, lighting, runway).
• Location Identifier: A four-letter ICAO code indicating the affected airport or FIR (Flight Information Region).
• Time Format: Effective date and time, often listed in Zulu (UTC) time.
• Message Body: The main content includes operational impact and uses ICAO-standard abbreviations.

Example: Interpreting a Real NOTAM

!DEN DEN RWY 17L/35R CLSD 2405111200-2405111900

Let’s break this down:

• !DEN: The NOTAM applies to the Denver FIR.
• DEN: Specifically, Denver International Airport.
• RWY 17L/35R CLSD: Runway 17L/35R is closed.
• 2405111200-2405111900: The runway will be closed on May 11, 2024, from 1200Z to 1900Z.

This example highlights why every pilot—whether dispatching from a major hub or a small regional airport—must confirm that runway availability aligns with their ETD/ETA. Even a short closure window may require a delay, rerouting, or selection of an alternate airport.

This decoding process complements our previous blog on decoding METARs and TAFs, as both NOTAMs and METARs play parallel roles in equipping pilots with dynamic, timely information.

How NOTAMs Affect Flight Decisions

NOTAMs play a foundational role in risk assessment and route viability. A single notice can determine whether a planned route remains feasible or if adjustments are required. This is particularly relevant for commercial operators and private pilots alike.

Operational Use Cases:

• Runway Closures: An active NOTAM stating that a runway is closed (RWY XX CLSD) can force a last-minute change to destination or alternate airport planning.
• TFRs: Notices related to security or emergency response (e.g., presidential movements, wildfires) can restrict access to large areas of airspace.
• Navigation Aid Failures: If an ILS or VOR is out of service (NAV ILS OTS), alternate procedures must be used.
• Obstacle Notifications: Construction cranes or new buildings near approach paths (OBST) can necessitate altitude adjustments or altered flight procedures.

Practical Impacts:

In flight planning, NOTAMs are often reviewed in conjunction with METARs, TAFs, and airport diagrams. They inform decisions ranging from fuel planning to alternate selection and minimum landing requirements. Using integrated EFB systems, pilots can visualize how NOTAMs impact runway availability and cross-check against performance limits for given payloads and conditions.

NOTAM Pitfalls to Avoid

Despite their importance, NOTAMs can sometimes become a source of confusion or be underutilized. Here are several common challenges and ways to address them:

Common Pitfalls:

• Outdated Briefings: Pilots using printed or cached data may miss recent NOTAMs. Systems should always be refreshed pre-departure.
• Information Overload: A long list of NOTAMs—some of which may not be relevant—can cause pilots to overlook critical details.
• Format Inconsistencies: Though ICAO promotes standardization, differences still exist among countries and platforms, particularly with formatting and language.

Solutions and Best Practices:

• Always use up-to-date digital briefings from reliable sources like FAA NOTAM Search or integrated planning tools.
• Apply filters or keyword searches to prioritize operationally significant NOTAMs.
• Stay current with FAA and ICAO modernization efforts that aim to improve clarity and accessibility.

Conclusion: Making NOTAMs Part of a Proactive Safety Culture

NOTAMs are not simply bureaucratic notices—they are integral to effective, safe, and compliant flight operations. By treating NOTAM review as a deliberate part of every flight plan, pilots contribute to a more informed and responsive aviation environment.

Whether you're a commercial airline captain, a private pilot preparing for a cross-country journey, or a student pilot learning the ropes, integrating NOTAMs into your regular safety workflow is essential. With the right tools and habits, understanding and applying NOTAMs becomes second nature—enhancing both confidence and operational readiness.

As we emphasized in our recent blog on METARs, no single data point ensures safety on its own. But by combining NOTAMs with updated meteorological information, performance data, and other planning tools, flight crews are empowered to anticipate and adapt—not react—when it matters most.