GUIDANCE FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE 
NOTAM FORMAT

1.  General

1.1   The qualifier line (Q) and all identifiers (A to G inclusive) each followed by a closing parenthesis, as shown in the format, must be transmitted unless there is no entry to be made against a particular identifier.

1.2   Each NOTAM must deal with only one subject and one condition concerning the subject.

2.  NOTAM numbering

Series must be indicated by a letter and the number must consist of four digits followed by a stroke and two digits for the year (A0023/91).

3.  Qualifiers (Item Q)

This Item is divided in eight fields, each separated by a stroke. If no entry is to be made in a field, it is not necessary to transmit blanks between the strokes. The definition of each field is as follows:

1) FIR

ICAO location indicator, FIR or country indicator plus “XX” if applicable to more than one FIR within a State which will then be listed in Item A).

2) NOTAM CODE

ICAO five-letter code or one of the following combinations as necessary:

a) If the subject of the NOTAM (second and third letters of NOTAM Code) is not in the NOTAM Code list, the following letters should be used in reference to the category:

QAGXX = AGA QRCXX = RAC

QCOXX = COM QXXXX = Other

b) If the conditions of the subject are not in the NOTAM Code list, insert “XX” condition as the fourth and fifth letters.

Example: QFAXX

c) The following fourth and fifth letters of NOTAM Code should be used in NOTAM cancellations:

AK : RESUMED NORMAL OPS

AL : OPERATIVE SUBJECT TO PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED LIMITATIONS/CONDITIONS

(OPR SUBJ PREVIOUS COND)

AO : OPERATIONAL

CC : COMPLETED

XX : PLAIN LANGUAGE.

3) TRAFFIC

I = IFR

V = VFR

IV = IFR/VFR is of interest to both types of flights.

4) PURPOSE

N = NOTAM selected for the immediate attention of aircraft operators

B = NOTAM selected for PIB entry

O = Operationally significant for IFR flights

M = Miscellaneous NOTAM; not subject for a briefing, but it is available on request.

5) SCOPE

Aerodrome        A

En-route        E

Nav Warning        W

Note.— Some radio navigation aids will be both “A” and “E” serving a dual purpose as en-route and terminal aids, for example; therefore the NOTAM text will be used to determine if the scope should refer to A, E or AE. If a subject is qualified AE, the aerodrome location indicator must be reported in Item A).

6) and 7) LOWER/UPPER

Used when applicable “FL000=SEA/GROUND level”.

Default values are 000/999.

Note.— If the subject refers to “airspace organization” (e.g. CTR, TMA, UIR, ...) an appropriate lower/upper limit must be stated in the Q-line.

8) COORDINATES, RADIUS

The latitude and longitude accurate to one minute, as well as a three-digit distance figure giving the radius of influence in NM (e.g. 4700N01140E043). Coordinates present approximate centre of circle whose radius encompasses the whole area of influence.

4. Item A)

Insert ICAO location indicator of aerodrome or FIR in which the facility, airspace, or condition being reported on is located. More than one FIR/UIR may be indicated when appropriate. If there is no available ICAO location indicator, use the ICAO nationality letter as given in ICAO Doc 7910, Part 2 plus XX and followed up in Item E) by the name, in plain language.

5. Item B)

For date-time group use a ten-figure group, giving year, month, day, hours and minutes in UTC. This entry is the date-time at which the NOTAM N, R or C comes into force. In the case of NOTAM R which replaces the previous NOTAM and promulgates new information, field B) must give the date-time group at which this new information supersedes that to which it refers.

6. Item C)

A date-time group must be used unless the information is PERM. If the information on timing is uncertain, the approximate duration must be indicated using a date-time group followed by an EST. Any NOTAM which includes an EST must be cancelled or replaced.

7. Item D)

If the hazard, status of operation or condition of facilities being reported on will be active during specified periods, insert such information under Item D).

8. Item E)

Use decoded NOTAM Code, completed where necessary by indicators, identifiers, designators, call signs, frequencies, figures and plain language. ICAO abbreviations should be used where appropriate. This entry must be clear and concise in order to provide a suitable PIB entry. In the case of NOTAM C, a subject reference and status message should be included to enable accurate plausibility checks.

9. Items F) and G)

These items are normally applicable to navigation warnings or airspace restrictions and are usually part of the PIB entry. Insert lower and upper height limits of activities or restrictions, clearly indicating reference datum and units of measurement.

Example:

If a danger area EG-DXX located at 5510N00520W with a radius of 50 NM (and affecting two FIR) is to be activated up to 12 200 m (40 000 ft) MSL on April 03, 07, 12, 21, 24 and 28 1991, daily from 0730 to 1500 UTC and up to 9 150 m (30 000 ft) MSL on April 19 and 20 1991 daily from 0730 to 1500 UTC, two NOTAM would be required, as follows:

 

(A0623/91 NOTAMN

Q) EGXX/QRDCA/IV/NBO/W/000/400/5510N00520W050

A) EGTT/EGPX

B) 9104030730

C) 9104281500

D) APR 03 07 12 21 24 AND 28 0730 TO 1500

E) DANGER AREA DXX IS ACTIVE

F) GND

G) 12 200 m (40 000 ft) MSL.)

 

(A0624/91 NOTAMN

Q) EGXX/QRDCA/IV/NBO/W/000/300/5510N00520W050

A) EGTT/EGPX

B) 9104190730

C) 9104201500

D) APR 19 AND 20 0730 TO 1500

E) DANGER AREA DXX IS ACTIVE

F) GND

G) 9 150 m (30 000 ft) MSL.)

 

 

Prepared from Annex 15 Appendix 6 by Servet BASOL on 17.09.2003