First let’s understand what this acronym means...
Initially it was Notice to Airmen. Now gender neutral, it’s become Notice to Air Missions. Introduced in 1947 by the Convention on International Civil Aviation (CICA), although there are earlier records of publication in the UK’s Flight International magazine.
So, why are NOTAMs issued? They contain advice about various possible and actual hazards at or near the airport. These include:
- hazards including air shows, parachute jumps, kite flying, lasers, rocket launches, etc
- flights by important people (which sometimes involve temporary flight restrictions/TFRs)
- closed runways
- inoperable radio navigational aids
- military exercises with resulting airspace restrictions
- inoperable lights on tall obstructions
- temporary erection of obstacles near airfields (eg cranes)
- passage of flocks of birds through airspace (known as a BIRDTAM)
- runway/taxiway/apron status concerning snow, ice, and standing water (a SNOWTAM)
- an operationally significant change in volcanic ash or other dust contamination (an ASHTAM)
- software code risk announcements with associated patches to reduce specific vulnerabilities
Let’s start with an easy example for LHR, with explanation of language used
A1234/06 NOTAMR A1212/06
Q)EGTT/QMXLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A)EGLL
B)0609050500
C)0704300500
E)DUE WIP TWY B SOUTH CLSD BTN 'F' AND 'R'. TWY 'R' CLSD BTN 'A' AND 'B' AND DIVERTED VIA NEW GREEN CL AND BLUE EDGE LGT. CTN ADZ
Series and number: A1234 issued in 2006 (06). Nature of the NOTAM: Replacing (R) NOTAM A1212 issued in 2006 (06)
FIR: London FIR (EGTT)
Subject: Taxiway (MX)
Condition: Closed (LC)
Traffic: NOTAM issued for IFR (I) flights and VFR flights (V)
Purpose: NOTAM selected for immediate attention of flight crew members (N), for PIB (Pre-flight Information Bulletin) entry (B), concerning flight operations (O)
Scope: Aerodrome (A)
Limits: FL 000 to FL 999 (000/999)
Geographical location: 51°29' N 000° 28' W (5129N00028W)
Operation radius of the NOTAM: 5 NM (005)
Aerodrome: London Heathrow (EGLL)
From: 05:00 UTC 5 September 2006 (060905 0500)
Until: 05:00 UTC 30 April 2007 (070430 0500)
Category: Aerodromes, air routes, and ground aids
Description: Due to work in progress (DUE WIP), taxiway "B South" is closed between "F" and "R" (TWY B SOUTH CLSD BTN 'F' AND 'R'). Taxiway "R" is closed between "A" and "B" (TWY 'R' CLSD BTN 'A' AND 'B') and is diverted via a new green centre line and blue edge lighting (AND DIVERTED VIA NEW GREEN CL AND BLUE EDGE LGT). Caution advised (CTN ADZ).
Of course, there’s a different system in the USA and other countries around the world, which is just too lengthy…
Now we’re in the digital age, there’s little need for the reams of paper previously generated although some airport operators still use datalink to send information to aircraft. It’s worth noting that those little rolls of paper cost around £140! The ICAO Appendix 6 runs to 24 pages of abbreviations. No wonder many pilots are calling for the whole system to be revised. Captain Lauri Soini from Finnair is very vociferous on the need for change, in his position as Finnish Pilots Associations Safety and Security Committee Chairman and “Die-Hard NOTAM fixer from IFALPA”.
More news…
Emirates – announced its first destinations for the A350. What came as a surprise to many aviation media outlets was the first UK airport would be EDI, starting 4 November. Can only imagine how many enthusiasts will be out that day to capture this new arrival…
Virgin Atlantic – the airline celebrates its 40th birthday in June 2024. It could take at least 2 blogs to cover the key milestones!
IPS – still insisting that MAN-ISL flights will commence in June although there’s no firm evidence to support this. Perhaps a coincidence that PIA is also looking to resume flights to UK and Europe around this time, with CDG its first destination.
Aegean – Greek carrier has announced intention to expand into “non-EU markets”. Of its outstanding A321neos, 4 will be converted to serve Asia, Central Africa and the Middle East. This means adding extra fuel tanks for flights up to 7½hours and reducing seating capacity to 180. Flatbed business class seats will also be introduced for the first time in the airline’s history.
One Air – the only remaining UK operator of the 747 has moved its base from LHR to EMA. The airline has also announced its intention to acquire a third 747.
And finally…
Did you know it can cost around £3m per year to put a fully crewed, maintained and insured regional turboprop on the ramp?
Information courtesy of Wikipedia and various websites, SPD Travels, Airliner World, Jonathan Hinkles
Images courtesy of Flightradar 24, Emirates Press Centre
©TPSC and Poshgirl