NOTAM
A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is a notice containing information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations that is not known sufficiently in advance to be publicized by other means. NOTAMs are issued by Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, and airport authorities to advise of changes to navigational facilities, services, procedures, or hazards.
Types of NOTAMs
- NOTAM (D) — Distant: Distributed beyond the local area; navaid outages, airspace changes, runway closures
- NOTAM (L) — Local: Distributed only within a specific area; taxiway obstacles, local construction, crane operations
- NOTAM (FDC) — Flight Data Centre: Regulatory or procedural changes; approach minimums changes, temporary flight restrictions
- Trigger NOTAM: Alerts pilots to a group of changes; points to other sources for details
Checking NOTAMs
NOTAMs must be checked for: the departure aerodrome, the destination, all alternates, and all en route navaids, intersections, and significant airspace. NAV CANADA NOTAMs are available through NAVCANatm.ca, the 1-866-WXBRIEF FIC phone service, and pre-flight briefing apps. Checking NOTAMs is a legal requirement for IFR flight and good airmanship for all flights.
On the TC Written Exam
NOTAM types and the obligation to check them are tested in the air law section. Know: NOTAMs are a required pre-flight check; different types apply to different uses; FDC NOTAMs may change approach minimums.
Related Terms
See also: FIC, Flight Plan.