Knowing NOTAM Codes: A Pilot’s Crucial Instrument
Effective communication is essential to maintaining safety and operational effectiveness in the fast-paced world of aviation. The Notice to Airmen, or NOTAM, is one of the most important tools pilots use. From runway closures to navigational assistance breakdowns, these codes provide essential warnings about changes or hazards that could influence aircraft operations, ensuring that pilots are fully aware of the current state of the airspace and airports they plan to use.
The standardized nature of NOTAM codes ensures that they are the same worldwide, allowing pilots to interpret critical information no matter where they are flying. Pilots can stay informed about the constantly changing air traffic environment and make well-informed decisions by decoding NOTAM codes.
The structure and meaning of NOTAM codes will be examined in this article, giving both novice and experienced pilots the skills they need to handle this crucial component of flight planning. For further information, you can visit the NOTAM Info.com website.
NOTAM Interpretation
In this article, we’ll highlight a selection of NOTAM codes, arranged for easy reference in a table format. Each entry provides a glimpse into the critical information these codes convey.
The table is structured into three columns: the first contains the NOTAM codes, the second provides their extended meanings, and the third lists the sources of these codes. This layout is designed to help pilots quickly grasp the essential details and understand the context behind each code.
Here are some NOTAM codes:
| CONTRACTIONS | DECODE | SOURCE |
| ABN | Airport Beacon | ICAO |
| ABV | Above | ICAO |
| ACC | Area Control Center (ARTCC) | ICAO |
| ACCUM | Accumulate | FAA |
| ACFT | Aircraft | ICAO |
| ACR | Air Carrier | FAA |
| ACT | Active | ICAO |
| ADJ | Adjacent | FAA |
| ADZD | Advised | ICAO |
| AFD | Airport Facility Directory | FAA |
| AGL | Above Ground Level | ICAO |
| ALS | Approach Lighting System | ICAO |
| ALT | Altitude | ICAO |
| ALTM | Altimeter | FAA |
| ALTN | Alternate | ICAO |
| ALTNLY | Alternately | FAA |
| ALSTG | Altimeter Setting | FAA |
| AMDT | Amendment | ICAO |
| AMGR | Airport Manager | FAA |
| AMOS | Automatic Meteorological Observing System | FAA |
| AP | Airport | ICAO |
| APCH | Approach | ICAO |
| AP LGT | Airport Lighting | ICAO |
| APP | Approach Control | ICAO |
| ARFF | Aircraft Resource and Fire Fighting | FAA |
| ARR | Arrive, Arrival | ICAO |
| ASOS | Automatic Surface Observing System | FAA |
| ASPH | Asphalt | ICAO |
| ATC | Air Traffic Control | ICAO |
| ATCCC | Air Traffic Control Command Center | FAA |
| ATIS | Automatic Terminal Information Service | ICAO |
| AUTOB | Automatic Weather Reporting System | FAA |
| AUTH | Authority | ICAO |
| AVBL | Available | ICAO |
| AWOS | Automatic Weather Observing / Reporting System | FAA |
| AWY | Airway | ICAO |
| AZM | Azimuth | ICAO |
| BA FAIR | Braking action fair | ICAO |
| BA NIL | Braking action nil | ICAO |
| BA POOR | Braking action poor | ICAO |
| BC | Back Course | FAA |
| BCN | Beacon | ICAO |
| BERM | Snowbank(s) Containing Earth / Gravel | FAA |
| BLW | Below | ICAO |
| BND | Bound | FAA |
| BRG | Bearing | ICAO |
| BYD | Beyond | FAA |
| CAAS | Class A Airspace | FAA |
| CAT | Category | ICAO |
| CBAS | Class B Airspace | FAA |
| CBSA | Class B Surface Area | FAA |
| CCAS | Class C Airspace | FAA |
| CCLKWS | Counterclockwise | FAA |
| CCSA | Class C Surface Area | FAA |
| CD | Clearance Delivery | FAA |
| CDAS | Class D Airspace | FAA |
| CDSA | Class D Surface Area | FAA |
| CEAS | Class E Airspace | FAA |
| CESA | Class E Surface Area | FAA |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations | FAA |
| CGAS | Class G Airspace | FAA |
| CHAN | Channel | FAA |
| CHG | Change of Modification | ICAO |
| CIG | Ceiling | FAA |
| CK | Check | ICAO |
| CL | Centre Line | ICAO |
| CLKWS | Clockwise | FAA |
| CLR | Clearance, Clear(s), Cleared to | ICAO |
| CLSD | Closed | ICAO |
| CMB | Climb | ICAO |
| CMSND | Commissioned | FAA |
| CNL | Cancel | ICAO |
| CNTRLN | Centerline | FAA |
| COM | Communications | ICAO |
| CONC | Concrete | ICAO |
| CPD | Coupled | FAA |
| CRS | Course | FAA |
| CTC | Contact | ICAO |
| CTL | Control | ICAO |
| DALGT | Daylight | FAA |
| DCMSN | Decommission | FAA |
| DCMSND | Decommissioned | FAA |
| DCT | Direct | ICAO |
| DEGS | Degrees | ICAO |
| DEP | Depart, Departure | ICAO |
| DEP PROC | Departure Procedure | FAA |
| DH | Decision Height | ICAO |
| DISABLD | Disabled | FAA |
| DIST | Distance | ICAO |
| DLA | Delay or Delayed | ICAO |
| DLT | Delete | FAA |
| DLY | Daily | FAA |
| DME | Distance Measuring Equipment | ICAO |
| DMSTN | Demonstration | FAA |
| DP | Dewpoint Temperature | ICAO |
| DRFT | Snowbank/s Caused by Wind Action | FAA |
| DSPLCD | Displaced | FAA |
| E | East | ICAO |
| EB | Eastbound | ICAO |
| EFAS | En Route Flight Advisory Service | FAA |
| ELEV | Elevation | ICAO |
| ENG | Engine | ICAO |
| ENRT | En Route | ICAO |
| ENTR | Entire | FAA |
| EXC | Except | ICAO |
| FAC | Facility or Facilities | ICAO |
| FAF | Final Approach Fix | ICAO |
| FAN MKR | Fan Marker | ICAO |
| FDC | Flight Data Center | FAA |
| FI/T | Flight Inspection Temporary | FAA |
| FI/P | Flight Inspection Permanent | FAA |
| FM | From | ICAO |
| FNA | Final Approach | ICAO |
| FPM | Feet Per Minute | ICAO |
| FREQ | Frequency | ICAO |
| FRH | Fly Runway Heading | FAA |
| FRI | Friday | FAA |
| FRZN | Frozen | FAA |
| FSS | Automated/Flight Service Station | ICAO |
| FT | Foot, Feet | ICAO |
| GC | Ground Control | FAA |
| GCA | Ground Control Approach | ICAO |
| GCO | Ground Communications Outler | FAA |
| GOVT | Government | FAA |
| GP | Glide Path | ICAO |
| GPS | Global Positioning System | FAA |
| GRVL | Gravel | ICAO |
| HAA | Height Above Airport | FAA |
| HAT | Height Above Touchdown | FAA |
| HDG | Heading | ICAO |
| HEL | Helicopter | ICAO |
| HELI | Heliport | FAA |
| HIRL | High Intensity Runway Lights | FAA |
| HIWAS | Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service | FAA |
| HLDG | Holding | ICAO |
| HOL | Holiday | ICAO |
| HP | Holding Pattern | FAA |
| HR | Hour | ICAO |
| IAF | Initial Approach Fix | ICAO |
| IAP | Instrument Approach Procedure | FAA |
| INBD | Inbound | ICAO |
| ID | Identification | ICAO |
| IDENT | Identify, Identifier, Identification | ICAO |
| IF | Intermediate Fix | ICAO |
| ILS | Instrument Landing System | ICAO |
| IM | Inner Marker | ICAO |
| IMC | Instrument Metrological Conditions | ICAO |
| IN | Inch, Inches | ICAO |
| INDEFLY | Indefinitely | FAA |
| INFO | Information | ICAO |
| INOP | Inoperative | ICAO |
| INSTR | Instrument | FAA |
| INT | Intersection | ICAO |
| INTL | International | ICAO |
| INTST | Intensity | ICAO |
| IR | Ice On Runway(s) | ICAO |
| KT | Knots | ICAO |
| L | Left | ICAO |
| LAA | Local Airport Advisory | FAA |
| LAT | Latitude | ICAO |
| LAWRS | Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Station | FAA |
| LB | Pound(s) | FAA |
| LC | Local Control | FAA |
| LOC | Local, Locally, Location | ICAO |
| LCTD | Located | FAA |
| LDA | Localizer Type Directional Aid | FAA |
| LGT | Light or Lighting | ICAO |
| LGTD | Lighted | FAA |
| LIRL | Low Intensity Runway Lights | FAA |
| LLWAS | Low Level Wind Shear Alert System | ICAO |
| LM | Compass Locator at ILS Middle Marker | ICAO |
| LDG | Landing | ICAO |
| LLZ | Localizer | ICAO |
| LO | Compass Locator at ILS Outer Marker | ICAO |
| LONG | Longitude | ICAO |
| LRN | Long Range Navigation | FAA |
| LSR | Loose Snow on Runway(s) | FAA |
| LT | Left Turn | FAA |
| MAG | Magnetic | ICAO |
| MAINT | Maintain Maintenance | ICAO |
| MALS | Medium Intensity Approach Light System | FAA |
| MALSF | Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Sequenced Flashers | FAA |
| MALSR | Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights | FAA |
| MAPT | Missed Approach Point | ICAO |
| MCA | Minimum Crossing Altitude | ICAO |
| MDA | Minimum Descent Altitude | ICAO |
| MEA | Minimum En Route Altitude | ICAO |
| MED | Medium | FAA |
| MIN | Minute(s) | ICAO |
| MIRL | Medium Intensity Runway Lights | FAA |
| MKR | Marker | FAA |
| MLS | Microwave Landing System | ICAO |
| MM | Middle Marker | ICAO |
| MNM | Minimum | ICAO |
| MNT | Monitor, Monitoring or Monitored | ICAO |
| MOC | Minimum Obstruction Clearance | ICAO |
| MON | Monday | FAA |
| MRA | Minimum Reception Altitude | ICAO |
| MSA | Minimum Safe Altitude, Minimum Sector Altitude | ICAO |
| MSAW | Minimum Safe Altitude Warning | FAA |
| MSG | Message | FAA |
| MSL | Mean Sea Level | ICAO |
| MU | Mu Meters | FAA |
| MUD | Mud | FAA |
| MUNI | Municipal | FAA |
| N | North | ICAO |
| NA | Not Authorized | FAA |
| NAV | Navigation | ICAO |
| NB | Northbound | ICAO |
| NDB | Nondirectional Radio Beacon | ICAO |
| NE | Northeast | ICAO |
| NGT | Night | ICAO |
| NM | Nautical Mile(s) | ICAO |
| NMR | Nautical Mile Radius | FAA |
| NONSTD | Nonstandard | FAA |
| NOPT | No Procedure Turn Required | FAA |
| NR | Number | ICAO |
| NTAP | Notice to Airmen Publication | FAA |
| NW | Northwest | ICAO |
| OBSC | Obscured, Onscure or Obscuring | ICAO |
| OBST | Obstruction, Obstacle | ICAO |
| OM | Outer Marker | ICAO |
| OPR | Operate, Operator or Operative | ICAO |
| OPS | Operation(s) | ICAO |
| ORIG | Original | FAA |
| OTS | Out of Service | FAA |
| OVR | Over | FAA |
| PAEW | Personnel and Equipment Working | FAA |
| PAX | Passenger(s) | ICAO |
| PAPI | Precision Approach Path Indicator | ICAO |
| PAR | Precision Approach Radar | ICAO |
| PARL | Parallel | ICAO |
| PAT | Pattern | FAA |
| PCL | Pilot Controlled Lighting | FAA |
| PERM | Permanent | ICAO |
| PJE | Parachute Jumping Exercise | ICAO |
| PLA | Practice Low Approach | ICAO |
| PLW | Plow, Plowed | FAA |
| PN | Prior Notice Required | ICAO |
| PPR | Prior Permission Required | ICAO |
| PRN | Pseudo Random Noise | FAA |
| PROC | Procedure | ICAO |
| PROP | Propeller | FAA |
| PSR | Packed Snow on Runway(s) | FAA |
| PTCHY | Patchy | FAA |
| PTN | Procedure Turn | ICAO |
| PVT | Private | FAA |
| RAIL | Runway Alignment Indicator Lights | FAA |
| RAMOS | Remote Automatic Metrological Observing System | FAA |
| RCAG | Remote Communication Air/ Ground Facility | FAA |
| RCL | Runway Center Line | ICAO |
| RCLL | Runway Center Line Lights | ICAO |
| RCO | Remote Communication Outlet | FAA |
| REC | Receive or Receiver | ICAO |
| REIL | Runway End Identifier Lights | FAA |
| RELCTD | Relocated | FAA |
| REP | Report | ICAO |
| RLLS | Runway Lead-In Light System | ICAO |
| RMNDR | Remainder | FAA |
| RMK | Remark(s) | ICAO |
| RNAV | Area Navigation | ICAO |
| RPLC | Replace | ICAO |
| RQRD | Required | FAA |
| RRL | Runway Remaining Lights | FAA |
| RSR | En Route Surveillance Radar | ICAO |
| RSVN | Reservation | FAA |
| RT | Right Turn | FAA |
| RTE | Route | ICAO |
| RTR | Remote Transmitter/ Receiver | FAA |
| RTS | Return to Service | ICAO |
| RUF | Rough | FAA |
| RVR | Runway Visual Range | ICAO |
| RVRM | Runway Visual Range Midpoint | FAA |
| RVRR | Runway Visual Range Rollout | FAA |
| RVRT | Runway Visual Range Touchdown | FAA |
| RWY | Runway | ICAO |
| S | South | ICAO |
| SA | Sand, Sanded | ICAO |
| SAT | Saturday | FAA |
| SAWRS | Supplementary Aviation Weather Reporting Station | FAA |
| SB | Southbound | ICAO |
| SDF | Simplified | Directional |
| SE | Southeast | ICAO |
| SFL | Sequence Flashing Lights | FAA |
| SIMUL | Simultaneous or Simultaneously | ICAO |
| SIR | Packed or Compacted Snow and Ice on Runway(s) | FAA |
| SKED | Scheduled or Schedule | ICAO |
| SLR | Slush on Runway(s) | FAA |
| SN | Snow | ICAO |
| SNBNK | Snowbank/s Caused by Plowing (Windrow(s)) | FAA |
| SNGL | Single | FAA |
| SPD | Speed | FAA |
| SSALF | Simplified Short Approach Lighting with Sequence Flashers | FAA |
| SSALR | Simplified Short Approach Lighting with Runway Alignment Indicator | FAA |
| SSALS | Simplified Short Approach Lighting System | FAA |
| SSR | Secondary Surveillance Radar | ICAO |
| STA | Straight-In Approach | ICAO |
| STAR | Standard Terminal Arrival | ICAO |
| SUN | Sunday | FAA |
| SVC | Service | ICAO |
| SVN | Satellite Vehicle Number | FAA |
| SW | Southwest | ICAO |
| SWEPT | Swept or Broom(ed) | FAA |
| T | Temperature | ICAO |
| TACAN | Tactical Air Navigational Aid (Azimuth and DME) | ICAO |
| TAR | Terminal Area Surveillance Radar | ICAO |
| TDWR | Terminal Doppler Weather Radar | FAA |
| TDZ | Touchdown Zone | ICAO |
| TDZ LGT | Touchdown Zone Lights | ICAO |
| TEMPO | Temporary or Temporarily | ICAO |
| TFC | Traffic | ICAO |
| TFR | Temporary Flight Restriction | FAA |
| TGL | Touch-and-Go Landings | ICAO |
| THN | Thin | FAA |
| THR | Threshold | ICAO |
| THRU | Through | ICAO |
| THU | Thursday | FAA |
| TIL | Until | ICAO |
| TKOF | Takeoff | ICAO |
| TM | Traffic Management | FAA |
| TMPA | Traffic Management Program Alert | FAA |
| TRML | Terminal | FAA |
| TRNG | Training | FAA |
| TRSN | Transition | FAA |
| TSNT | Transient | FAA |
| TUE | Tuesday | FAA |
| TWR | Airport Control Tower | ICAO |
| TWY | Taxiway | ICAO |
| UAV | Unmanned Air Vehicles | FAA |
| UFN | Until Further Notice | FAA |
| UNAVBL | Unavailable | FAA |
| UNLGTD | Unlighted | FAA |
| UNMKD | Unmarked | FAA |
| UNMNT | Unmonitored | FAA |
| UNREL | Unreliable | ICAO |
| UNUSBL | Unusable | FAA |
| VASI | Visual Approach Slope Indicator System | ICAO |
| VDP | Visual Descent Point | FAA |
| VIA | By Way Of | FAA |
| VICE | Instead/Versus | FAA |
| VIS | Visibility | FAA |
| VMC | Visual Metrological Conditions | ICAO |
| VOL | Volume | FAA |
| VOR | VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range | ICAO |
| VORTAC | VOR and TACAN (Collocated) | ICAO |
| W | West | ICAO |
| WB | Westbound | ICAO |
| WED | Wednesday | FAA |
| WEF | With Effect From or Effective From | ICAO |
| WI | Within | ICAO |
| WIE | With Immediate Effect or Effective Immediately | ICAO |
| WKDAYS | Monday through Friday | FAA |
| WKEND | Saturday and Sunday | FAA |
| WND | Wind | FAA |
| WPT | Waypoint | ICAO |
| WSR | Wet Snow on Runway(s) | FAA |
| WTR | Water on Runway(s) | FAA |
| WX | Weather | ICAO |
Learn more about weather abbrevieations in our previous articles!
