Definition
In NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) shorthand, SWEPT indicates that a runway, taxiway, or other movement area surface has been mechanically swept — typically to remove snow, slush, standing water, sand, or debris. The terms broom and broomed are used interchangeably with swept in this context.
Plain English
It means the surface has been cleaned off with a sweeper or broom truck. The NOTAM is telling pilots that the runway or taxiway has been physically brushed clear of loose material like snow, slush, or debris.
Context Anchor
Seen in NOTAMs describing airport surface conditions, especially after snow removal, sanding, construction cleanup, or debris removal.
Derivation
Swept is the past form of sweep, meaning to clean a surface with a brush or broom. In this aviation use, it refers to the airport surface being cleaned, not to the shape of an aircraft wing.
Why Pilots Care
Confirms the surface is free of loose material that could affect braking, handling, or cause foreign object damage.
Grounding Statement
Picture an airport vehicle with a large rotating broom passing over the runway to clear loose material from the pavement.
Intuition Check
Do not read SWEPT as referring to a swept-wing aircraft. Here it means the pavement surface was cleaned by sweeping or brooming.
Example Sentence 1
The NOTAM read 'RWY 27 SWEPT' after the morning snow shower, indicating the airport had run its sweeper down the runway.
Example Sentence 2
Pilots reviewed the latest NOTAMs and noted the taxiway had been swept following debris removal.