What Pilots Need to Know About NOTAMs

Whether you're a student pilot preparing for your first cross-country or a seasoned aviator planning a complex IFR flight, NOTAMs — Notices to Air Missions — are one of the most critical preflight tools at your disposal. Understanding what NOTAMs are, how to read them, and where to find them isn't just good airmanship; it's a tested knowledge area on FAA written exams. In this guide, we'll break down everything pilots need to know about NOTAMs, from the basics to the nuances that show up on your knowledge test.

What Is a NOTAM?

A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) is an official notice filed with an aviation authority that contains information essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. NOTAMs communicate time-critical aeronautical information that is either temporary in nature or not known far enough in advance to be published in traditional aeronautical charts or documents like the Chart Supplement (formerly the Airport/Facility Directory).

Think of a NOTAM as an update layer on top of your existing charts and publications. Runways get closed for maintenance. Taxiways get repainted. VORs go out of service for calibration. TFRs (Temporary Flight Restrictions) pop up around sporting events, wildfires, or VIP movements. None of these would appear on your sectional chart — but they'll be in the NOTAMs.

Why the Name Changed

You may still see the older acronym NOTAM expanded as