NOTAM has a new meaning

If  you’d like to stump your CFI on your next lesson, ask what the acronym NOTAM stands for. Here’s a hint, it just changed.

FAA recently published Order 7930.2S, Change 2, effective December 2, 2021 for Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM). Yes, these changes include modifying the acronym NOTAM from Notice to Airmen to Notice to Air Missions – a more applicable term per the FAA.

• Read the NOTAM Explanation of Changes
• Read the complete order

As a brief review, NOTAM information classifications include Domestic (NOTAM D) and Flight Data Center (FDC).

NOTAM (D) information is disseminated for all navigational facilities that are part of the National Airspace System (NAS), all public use aerodromes, seaplane bases, and heliports listed in the Chart Supplement U.S. NOTAM (D) information includes such data as taxiway closures, personnel and equipment near or crossing runways, and airport lighting aids that do not affect instrument approach criteria, such as VASI. There are several types of NOTAM Ds:

• Aerodrome activity and conditions, to include field conditions.
• Airspace to include CARF, SUA, and general airspace activity like UAS or pyrotechnics.
• Visual and radio navigational aids.
• Communication and services.
• Pointer NOTAMs. NOTAMs issued to point to additional aeronautical information. When pointing to another NOTAM, the keyword in the pointer NOTAM must match the keyword in the original NOTAM. Pointer NOTAMs should be issued for, but are not limited to, TFRs, Airshows, Temporary SUA, major NAS system interruptions, etc.

FDC NOTAMs. On those occasions when it becomes necessary to disseminate information that is regulatory in nature, an FDC NOTAM is issued. FDC NOTAMs include NOTAMs such as:

• Amendments to published IAPs and other current aeronautical charts.
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR). Pilots should read NOTAMs in their entirety as some TFRs may allow pilots to fly through the flight restriction should they request permission to do so and subsequently receive it. Pilots are encouraged to use online preflight resources as they provide graphics and plain language interpretations for TFRs.
• High barometric pressure warning.
• Laser light activity.
• ADS-B, TIS-B, and FIS-B service availability.
• Satellite-based systems such as WAAS or GPS.
• Special Notices.

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Eric Radtke

It was his first airplane trip at age seven that made Eric decide to become a pilot. "While boarding the airplane, a flight attendant noticed my interest in the flight deck and urged me to go talk to the pilot. I give a lot of credit to that pilot for my career choice." He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and went on to an airline career. Eric now serves as Chief Instructor at Sporty's Academy and directs the University of Cincinnati’s Professional Pilot Training Program. In addition, Eric serves as a Captain in a Cincinnati-based corporate flight department.

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