Definition
A contraction used in NOTAMs and aeronautical publications meaning simultaneous — that is, occurring or operating at the same time as something else.
Plain English
SIMUL is short for simultaneous, meaning at the same time. It signals that two things — such as runway operations, approaches, or procedures — are happening together rather than one after the other.
Context Anchor
Seen in Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs), airport notices, and other shortened aviation messages where space is limited.
Derivation
From Latin simul, meaning 'at the same time.' The same root gives us 'simultaneous' and 'simulate.' Knowing the root helps the abbreviation feel obvious rather than cryptic.
Why Pilots Care
Quickly signals when parallel approaches or operations are active, affecting traffic planning and situational awareness.
Intuition Check
SIMUL does not mean “soon after” or “in the same general period.” It means at the same time, or overlapping in time.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM advised SIMUL ILS approaches to runways 27L and 27R were in effect.
Example Sentence 2
ATC advised the crew that SIMUL departures were approved from the intersecting runways.