Definition
A NOTAM is an official, time-critical notice issued through the FAA system that alerts pilots to changes or hazards in the National Airspace System that are not yet shown on charts or in regular publications. NOTAMs cover items such as runway closures, inoperative navigation aids, temporary flight restrictions, lighting outages, construction, and unusual airspace activity. They are part of required preflight information and must be checked before every flight that could be affected.
Plain English
A short, official message that tells pilots about something important that has changed at an airport or in the airspace, such as a closed runway or a navigation aid being out of service. Pilots are required to check these before flying.
Context Anchor
Pilots check NOTAMs during preflight planning, especially before flying to an airport, through an area, or at a time when airport conditions may have changed.
Derivation
From the phrase 'Notice to Airmen,' a plain English label for written safety notices. The acronym has been retained even though the FAA now formally calls them 'Notices to Air Missions' to use inclusive language. The wording stays simple on purpose: a notice to people who fly.
Why Pilots Care
They provide essential safety information on runway closures, airspace restrictions, and equipment issues so pilots can avoid hazards and comply with current rules.
Intuition Check
A NOTAM is not a casual announcement or general news item. It is official flight information about a condition or change that may affect the safe or legal conduct of a flight. “Airmen” in this older term does not mean only male pilots; it refers broadly to people involved in flight operations.
Example Sentence 1
During preflight planning, the pilot reviewed NOTAMs and saw that runway 27 at the destination airport was closed for maintenance until the following morning.
Example Sentence 2
A new NOTAM advised of temporary flight restrictions over the area due to a wildfire.