Aviation Safety and NOTAMs

Introduction

• Air traffic conditions, navigational aids, and air traffic control facilities constantly change.
• Scheduled changes are published in the Aeronautical Information System.
• Time-critical changes are announced via Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs).
• This module explains how time-critical information regarding the National Airspace System (NAS) is received, processed, and disseminated.

Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs)

• Purpose: To disseminate time-critical information regarding the NAS.
• Objectives:
  • Identify methods of disseminating airmen's information
  • Identify types of NOTAMs
  • Describe the responsibilities for reporting different classifications of NOTAMs

Dissemination of Airmen's Information

• The system uses two subsystems:
  • Aeronautical Information System (AIS): Consist of charts and publications.
  • NOTAM system: This is a telecommunication system.

Aeronautical Charts

• Instrument Flight Rules (IFR):
  • En Route High Altitude Charts
  • En Route Low Altitude Charts
• Visual Flight Rules (VFR):
  • Sectional Aeronautical Charts (SACs)
  • Terminal Area Charts (TACs)
• U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP):
  • Departure Procedures (DP)
  • Standard Terminal Arrivals (STARs)
  • Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS)

Flight Information Publications

• Chart supplements

National Flight Data Center (NFDC)

• Located in Washington, D.C.
• Established by the FAA.
• Collects, validates, and disseminates aeronautical data.
• Supports government, industry, and the aviation community.
• Data is published on aeronautical charts or in relevant publications.

Airmen's Information Dissemination

• Aeronautical Charts
• Flight Information Publications in book form

NOTAMs

• A notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in a NAS component.
• Time-important information for flight operations

Responsibilities

• Air Traffic Personnel:
  • Accept all airman information, as long as it's within three days in the future.
  • Provide relevant data to the Flight Service Station (FSS).
• Technical Operations Services:
  • Issues and cancels NOTAMs related to the shutdown/restoration of navigational aids.
  • Report known or reported malfunctions of NAVAIDs.
  • Handle routine and emergency maintenance shutdowns (with appropriate lead times).
• Airport Management:
  • Observes and reports aerodrome condition.
  • Coordinates with appropriate personnel regarding NOTAMs.

Authority

• United States NOTAM Office (USNOF) is the authority overseeing NOTAM formats and monitoring the NOTAM system.

NOTAM Types

• FICON NOTAMs-Report surface conditions of runways, taxiways, aprons and helipads.
• NOTAM-D: Contains information regarding aeronautical facilities, en-route aids, services, procedures, hazards, and civil public-use airports.
  • Pointer NOTAM: Used to direct users to relevant information. A key aspect is that the keyword within the pointer NOTAM should match the keyword in the NOTAM being pointed towards.
• FDC NOTAMs: Information is usually regulatory in nature. This includes changes in IFR charts, procedures, airspace usage.