Birth of a NOTAM NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) starts life as messages on the Aeronautical Fixed System (AFS). They are received centrally from originators within your country and from foreign NOTAM offices. Staff check and edit the NOTAM if necessary and they are then placed in the transmit queue for transmission to all NOTAM recipients. These include ATC offices, some airlines, briefing services etc. There is no central world-wide NOTAM database, databases are built up individually by users from the incoming message stream. ICAO NOTAM format The format of NOTAM is defined in Annex 15 to the International Convention on Civil Aviation. An explanation of the format can be found here. Here is a typical NOTAM and its decode. A1484/02 NOTAMN Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005 A) EGLL B) 0208231540 C) 0210310500 EST E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL Notam Decoder A1484/02 - one letter to indicate the Series, a 4-digit NOTAM number followed by a stroke and two digits to indicate the year. NOTAMN - Suffix N Indicates this is a new NOTAM. Other options are R for NOTAM replacing another or C for one cancelling another. Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005 This is the "Q" or qualifier line, it always starts Q) and contains the following fields, each separated by a stroke. FIR (here EGTT, London FIR) NOTAM Code, a 5 letter code starting with Q, defined in Annexe 15. Here QMR indicates that it concerns a Runway. XX indicates that remaining detail is in Plain Language. In this particular case the text shows that certain runway lighting is unavailable. Strictly speaking under ICAO rules this should have appeared as separate NOTAM for each type of lighting. QLCAS is the code for centreline lighting u/s QLZAS is the code for Touch Down Zone lighting u/s and QLAAS is the code for Approach Lighting u/s (note in all cases AS indicates unserviceable). The use of QMRXX here is a sensible compromise that reduces the number of NOTAM from three to one. A full list of codes is included in ICAO document 8126 (Aeronautical Information Services Manual). IV - Indicates that this is significant for IFR and VFR traffic NBO - indicates for immediate attention of aircraft operators, for inclusion in PIB's and Operationally significant for IFR flights A - Indicates scope, here Aerodrome, others are E (en-route) or W (nav warning) 000/999 - lower and upper limits expressed as a flight level. In this case it has been left as the default as it is not applicable. 5129N00028W005 - Indicates the geographical centre and radius of influence, always this number of digits. In this case the radius is 5 n.m. A) EGLL - ICAO indicator of the aerodrome or FIR (London Heathrow) can include more than one FIR B) 0208231540 - Date/time group (UTC) when this NOTAM becomes effective C) 0210310500 EST - Date/time group (UTC) when the NOTAM ceases to be effective. Note "EST" means "estimated" (NOT Eastern Standard Time!). All NOTAM with EST remain in force until cancelled or replaced. E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL - text of the notam using ICAO abbreviations. Decode of this is "Runway 09/27 due to work in progress no centreline, touchdown zone or simple approach lighting system available" Here's the whole thing again A1484/02 NOTAMN Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005 A) EGLL B) 0208231540 C) 0210310500 EST E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL and here's the same thing as it appears in the PIB produced by ANAIS AGA : FROM 02/08/23 15:40 TO 02/10/31 05:00 EST A1484/02 E)RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL You can see that the Q line is omitted entirely, A) has been stripped out because it appears as the header to the section and B) and C) have been reformatted and placed in the first line. AGA has been derived from the Q Code "QMR" (see Annex 15) INTERNATIONAL NOTAM (Q) CODES This appendix is to be used to interpret the contents of coded international NOTAM's. A NOTAM code group contains five letters. The first letter is always the letter "Q'' to indicate a code abbreviation for use in the composition of NOTAM's. The second and third letters identify the subject being reported. (See Second and Third Letter Decode Tables). The fourth and fifth letters identify the status of operation of the subject being reported. (See Fourth and Fifth Letter Decode Tables). THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS AGA Lighting Facilities (L) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology LA Approach lighting system (specify runway and type) apch lgt LB Aerodrome beacon abn LC Runway center line lights (specify runway) rwy centreline lgt LD Landing direction indicator lights ldi lgt LE Runway edge lights (specify runway) rwy edge lgt LF Sequenced flashing lights (specify runway) sequenced flg lgt LH High intensity runway lights (specify runway) high intst rwy lgt LI Runway end identifier lights (specify runway) rwy end id lgt LJ Runway alignment indicator lights (specify runway) rwy alignment indicator lgt LK Category II components of approach lighting system (specify runway) category II components apch lgt LL Low intensity runway lights (specify runway) low intst rwy lgt LM Medium intensity runway lights (specify runway) medium intst rwy lgt LP Precision approach path indicator (PAPI) (specify runway) papi LR All landing area lighting facilities ldg area lgt fac LS Stopway lights (specify runway) swy lgt LT Threshold lights (specify runway) thr lgt LV Visual approach slope indicator system (specify type and runway) vasis LW Heliport lighting heliport lgt LX Taxiway centre line lights (specify taxiway) twy centreline lgt LY Taxiway edge lights (specify taxiway) twy edge lgt LZ Runway touchdown zone lights (specify runway) rwy tdz lgt THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS AGA Movement and Landing Area (M) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology MA Movement area mov area MB Bearing strength (specify part of landing area or movement area) bearing strength MC Clearway (specify runway) cwy MD Declared distances (specify runway) declared dist MG Taxiing guidance system tax guidance system MH Runway arresting gear (specify runway) rwy arst gear MK Parking area prkg area MM Daylight markings (specify threshold, centre line, etc.) day markings MN Apron apron MP Aircraft stands (specify) acft stand MR Runway (specify runway) rwy MS Stopway (specify runway) swy MT Threshold (specify runway) thr MU Runway turning bay (specify runway) rwy turning bay MW Strip (specify runway) strip MX Taxiway(s) (specify) twy THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS AGA Facilities and Services (F) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology FA Aerodrome ad FB Braking action measurement equipment (specify type) ba measurement eqpt FC Ceiling measurement equipment ceiling measurement eqpt FD Docking system (specify AGNIS, BOLDS, etc.) dckg system FF Fire fighting and rescue fire and rescue FG Ground movement control gnd mov ctl FH Helicopter alighting area/platform hel alighting area FL Landing direction indicator ldi FM Meteorological service (specify type) met FO Fog dispersal system fog dispersal FP Heliport heliport FS Snow removal equipment snow removal eqpt FT Transmissometer (specify runway and, where applicable, designator(s) of transmissometer(s)) transmissometer FU Fuel availability fuel avbl FW Wind direction indicator wdi FZ Customs cust THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS COM Communications and Radar Facilities (C) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology CA Air/ground (specify service and frequency) a/g fac CE En route surveillance radar rsr CG Ground controlled approach system (GCA) gca CL Selective calling system (SELCAL) selcal CM Surface movement radar smr CP Precision approach radar (PAR) (specify runway) par CR Surveillance radar element of precision approach radar system (specify wavelength) sre CS Secondary surveillance radar (SSR) ssr CT Terminal area surveillance radar (TAR) tar THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS COM Instrument and Microwave Landing System (I) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology ID DME associated with ILS ils dme IG Glide path (ILS) (specify runway) ils gp II Inner marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils im IL Localizer (ILS) (specify runway) ils liz IM Middle marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils mm IO Outer marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils om IS ILS Category I (specify runway) ils I IT ILS Category II (specify runway) ils II IU ILS Category III (specify runway) ils III IW Microwave landing system (MLS) (specify runway) mls IX Locator, outer (ILS) (specify runway) ils lo IY Locator, middle (ILS) (specify runway) ils lm THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS COM Terminal and En Route Navigation Facilities (N) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology NA All radio navigation facilities (except...) all rdo nav fac NB Nondirectional radio beacon ndb NC DECCA decca ND Distance measuring equipment (DME) dme NF Fan marker fan mkr NL Locator (specify identification) l NM VOR/DME vor/dme NN TACAN tacan NO OMEGA omega NT VORTAC vortac NV VOR vor NX Direction finding station (specify type and frequency) df THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS RAC Airspace Organization (A) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology AA Minimum altitude (specify en route/crossing/safe) mnm alt AC Class B, C, D, or E Surface Area ctr AD Air defense identification zone (ADIZ) adiz AE Control area (CTA) cta AF Flight information region (FIR) fir AH Upper control area (UTA) uta AL Minimum usable flight level mnm usable fl AN Area navigation route rnav route AO Oceanic control area (OCA) oca AP Reporting point (specify name or Coded designator) rep AR ATS route (specify) ats route AT Class B Airspace tma AU Upper flight information region (UIR) uir AV Upper advisory area (UDA) uda AX Intersection (INT) int AZ Aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) atz THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS RAC Air Traffic and VOLMET Services (S) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology SA Automatic terminal information service (ATIS) atis SB ATS reporting office aro SC Area control centre (ACC) acc SE Flight information service (FIS) fis SF Aerodrome flight information service (AFIS) afis SL Flow control centre flow ctl centre SO Oceanic area control centre (OAC) oac SP Approach control service (APP) app SS Flight service station (FSS) fss ST Aerodrome control tower (TWR) twr SU Upper area control centre (UAC) uac SV VOLMET broadcast volmet SY Upper advisory service (specify) advisory ser THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS RAC Air Traffic Procedures (P) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology PA Standard instrument arrival (STAR) (specify route designator) star PB Standard VFR arrival std vfr arr PC Contingency procedures contingency proc PD Standard instrument departure (SID) (specify route designator) sid PE Standard VFR departure std vfr dep PF Flow control procedure flow ctl proc PH Holding procedure hldg proc PI Instrument approach procedure (specify type and runway) inst apch proc PL Obstacle clearance limit (specify procedure) ocl PK VFR approach procedure vfr apch proc PM Aerodrome operating minima (specify procedure and amended minimum) opr minima PN Noise operating restrictions noise opr restrictions PO Obstacle clearance altitude oca PP Obstacle clearance height och PR Radio failure procedure radio failure proc PT Transition altitude transition alt PU Missed approach procedure (specify runway) missed apch proc PX Minimum holding altitude (specify fix) mnm hldg alt PZ ADIZ procedure adiz proc THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS Navigation Warnings: Airspace Restrictions (R) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology RA Airspace reservation (specify) airspace reservation RD Danger area (specify national prefix and number) ..d.. RO Overflying of ... (specify) overflying RP Prohibited area (specify national prefix and number) ..p.. RR Restricted area (specify national prefix and number) ..r.. RT Temporary restricted area tempo restricted THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS Navigation Warnings: Warnings (W) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology WA Air display air display WB Aerobatics aerobatics WC Captive balloon or kite captive balloon or kite WD Demolition of explosives demolition of explosives WE Exercises (specify) exer WF Air refueling air refueling WG Glider flying glider flying WJ Banner/target towing banner/target towing WL Ascent of free balloon ascent of free balloon WM Missile, gun or rocket firing frng WP Parachute jumping exercise (PJE) pje WS Burning or blowing gas burning or blowing gas WT Mass movement of aircraft mass mov of acft WV Formation flight formation flt WZ model flying model flying THE NOTAM CODE DECODE SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS Other Information (O) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology OA Aeronautical information service ais OB Obstacle (specify details) obst OE Aircraft entry requirements acft entry rqmnts OL Obstacle lights on ... (specify) obst lgt OR Rescue coordination centre rcc THE NOTAM CODE DECODE FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS Availability (A) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology AC Withdrawn for maintenance withdrawn maint AD Available for daylight operation avbl day ops AF Flight checked and found reliable fltck okay AG Operating but ground checked only, awaiting flight check opr awaiting fltck AH Hours of service are now hr ser AK Resumed normal operations okay AM Military operations only mil ops only AN Available for night operation avbl night ops AO Operational opr AP Available, prior permission required avbl ppr AR Available on request avbl o/r AS Unserviceable u/s AU Not available (specify reason if appropriate) not avbl AW Completely withdrawn withdrawn AX Previously promulgated shutdown has been cancelled promulgated shutdown cnl THE NOTAM CODE DECODE FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS Changes (C) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology CA Activated act CC Completed cmpl CD Deactivated deactivated CE Erected erected CF Operating frequency(ies) changed to freq change CG Downgraded to downgraded to CH Changed changed CI Identification or radio call sign changed to ident change CL Realigned realigned CM Displaced displaced CO Operating opr CP Operating on reduced power opr reduced pwr CR Temporarily replaced by tempo rplcd by CS Installed installed CT On test, do not use on test, do not use THE NOTAM CODE DECODE FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS Hazard Conditions (H) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology HA Braking action is ... ba is 1)Poor 2)Medium/Poor 3)Medium 4)Medium/Good 5)Good HB Braking coefficient is ... (specify measurement device used) brkg coefficient is HC Covered by compacted snow to depth of cov compacted snow depth HD Covered by dry snow to a depth of cov dry snow depth HE Covered by water to a depth of cov water depth HF Totally free of snow and ice free of snow and ice HG Grass cutting in progress grass cutting HH Hazard due to (specify) hazard due HI Covered by ice cov ice HJ Launch planned ... (specify balloon flight identification or project Code name, launch site, planned period of launch(es)_date/time, expected climb direction, estimate time to pass 18,000 m (60,000 ft), together with estimated location) launch plan HK Migration in progress migration inpr HL Snow clearance completed snow clr cmpl HM Marked by marked by HN Covered by wet snow or slush to a depth of cov wet snow depth HO Obscured by snow obscured by snow HP Snow clearance in progress snow clr inpr HQ Operation cancelled ... (specify balloon flight identification or project Code name) opr cnl HR Standing water standing water HS Sanding in progress sanding HT Approach according to signal area only apch according signal area only HU Launch in progress ... (specify balloon flight identification or project Code name, launch site, date/time of launch(es), estimated time passing 18,000 m (60,000 ft), or reaching cruising level if at or below 18,000 m (60,000 ft), together with estimated location, estimated date/time of termination of the flight, and planned location of ground contact when applicable) launch inpr HV Work completed work cmpl HW Work in progress wip HX Concentration of birds bird concentration HY Snow banks exist (specify height) snow banks hgt HZ Covered by frozen ruts and ridges cov frozen ruts and ridges THE NOTAM CODE DECODE FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS Limitations (L) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology LA Operating on auxiliary power supply opr aux pwr LB Reserved for aircraft based therein reserved for acft based therein LC Closed clsd LD Unsafe unsafe LE Operating without auxiliary power supply opr without aux pwr LF Interference from interference from LG Operating without identification opr without ident LH Unserviceable for aircraft heavier than u/s acft heavier than LI Closed to IFR operations clsd ifr ops LK Operating as a fixed light opr as f lgt LL Usable for length of...and width of... usable length/width LN Closed to all night operations clsd night ops LP Prohibited to prohibited to LR Aircraft restricted to runways and taxiways acft restricted to rwy and twy LS Subject to interruption subj intrp LT Limited to limited to LV Closed to VFR operations clsd vfr ops LW Will take place will take place LX Operating but caution advised due to opr but caution due THE NOTAM CODE DECODE FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS Other (XX) Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology XX Where 4th and 5th letter Code does not cover the situation, use XX and supplement by plain language (plain language following the NOTAM Code)
