Definition
NOTAMs are official, time-sensitive notices issued by the FAA that inform pilots of changes or hazards affecting the National Airspace System — including runway closures, inoperative lighting or navigation aids, temporary flight restrictions, construction, unlit obstructions, and changes to airport services. Pilots are required to review relevant NOTAMs as part of preflight planning under 14 CFR 91.103.
Plain English
NOTAMs are short official bulletins that tell pilots about anything unusual or temporary at an airport, on a route, or in the airspace — things that aren't on the regular charts because they could change tomorrow. Examples include a closed runway, a broken approach light, or a temporary no-fly zone.
Context Anchor
A pilot checks NOTAMs during preflight planning and may see them mentioned when airport lighting, runway lighting, or navigation aids are unavailable or changed.
Derivation
The name is straightforward: a 'notice' to 'airmen' (the historical FAA term for pilots and aircrew). The FAA has since renamed the system 'Notice to Air Missions' to use gender-neutral language, but the acronym NOTAM is unchanged.
Why Pilots Care
Checking NOTAMs prevents surprises such as arriving at a closed runway or an airport with inoperative lights or navigation aids.
Intuition Check
Do not treat a NOTAM as a general announcement or optional airport news. It is an official flight-related notice that may directly affect your planning or operation.
Example Sentence 1
During her preflight planning, she checked the NOTAMs and found that runway 27 at her destination was closed for maintenance.
Example Sentence 2
A new NOTAM appeared about temporary restricted airspace near the destination airport.