Definition
In NOTAM keyword usage, COM identifies a Notice to Air Missions concerning communications facilities or services, such as outages or changes to air-to-ground radio frequencies, remote communications outlets (RCOs), or other voice communication services used by pilots and air traffic control.
Plain English
COM is a tag on a NOTAM that tells you the notice is about a radio or communications service — for example, a frequency that is out of service or has changed.
Context Anchor
Seen in NOTAMs as a keyword before information about aviation radio frequencies or communication services.
Derivation
Short for 'communications.' The NOTAM system uses brief keywords so pilots can scan a long list of notices quickly and zero in on the ones that affect their flight.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must know when frequencies or services are out so they can plan alternate communication methods and avoid lost contact situations.
Intuition Check
Do not read COM as a general computer or internet term here. In a NOTAM, COM means aviation radio communication information.
Example Sentence 1
While reviewing NOTAMs for the destination, the pilot noticed a COM entry indicating the RCO frequency was out of service.
Example Sentence 2
Checking the COM section showed the ATIS frequency had been changed for the day.