Definition
In NOTAM and aeronautical contractions, BND is shorthand for 'bound,' meaning heading toward or in the direction of a stated point or compass direction. It is typically used in compound forms such as NBND (northbound), SBND (southbound), EBND (eastbound), and WBND (westbound) to describe the direction of traffic, a route, or an aircraft's intended movement.
Plain English
A short way of writing 'bound' — meaning going toward something or heading in a particular direction.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA abbreviations, NOTAMs, and short aviation text where space is limited.
Derivation
From Old Norse 'búinn,' meaning 'prepared' or 'ready to go.' Over time it came to mean 'on the way to' a destination — as in 'homeward bound.' That same sense is what aviation uses today.
Why Pilots Care
Quickly conveys route information in abbreviated NOTAM text, helping pilots understand airspace restrictions and traffic flows without delay.
Intuition Check
Bound does not mean tied up or limited here. In this aviation shorthand, it means headed toward or going in a stated direction.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM advised that NBND traffic on V23 should expect holding south of the fix.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots can expect west BND departures until the event ends.