Definition
A NOTAM issued by the FAA's Flight Data Center that contains regulatory information, such as amendments to instrument approach procedures, charted flight data, temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), and other changes to aeronautical charts and published procedures. FDC NOTAMs are regulatory in nature and are binding on pilots.
Plain English
An official FAA notice that changes or restricts something printed on an aeronautical chart or published procedure. Because it is regulatory, pilots must comply with it.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter Fdc NOTAMs during preflight planning, weather briefings, flight planning apps, and notices about restricted airspace or changed published procedures.
Derivation
FDC stands for Flight Data Center, the FAA office in Washington, D.C. that manages aeronautical chart data and publishes regulatory changes. NOTAM stands for Notice to Airmen (now also rendered as Notice to Air Missions). The 'FDC' label tells pilots the notice came from that center and therefore carries regulatory weight.
Why Pilots Care
FDC NOTAMs can revise or cancel approaches, close runways, or impose airspace restrictions that affect whether a flight can be conducted legally and safely.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an Fdc NOTAM is just a general airport notice. It often carries rule-like information that can directly limit where or how you may fly.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight, the pilot reviewed an FDC NOTAM amending the minimums on the ILS approach into their destination.
Example Sentence 2
An FDC NOTAM established a temporary flight restriction over the stadium during the event.