A NOTAM briefing gives pilots and flight operations personnel access to time-sensitive aeronautical information that can affect a planned flight. Before departure, the briefing should be reviewed for route, airport, runway and taxiway, navigation and communication, airspace, timing and operational-impact information.
A NOTAM check is not simply a search for airport closures. It has to be evaluated against the actual flight plan and operation. As the FAA explains in its Aeronautical Information Manual, NOTAMs carry time-critical information that is temporary, or that is not yet published through other aeronautical information channels.
What Is a NOTAM Briefing?
A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM, formerly Notice to Airmen) communicates time-critical or operationally significant aeronautical information that cannot wait for regular publication cycles. Three related terms are easy to confuse:
- A NOTAM: an individual notice about a specific change, hazard or facility status.
- A NOTAM briefing: a compiled set of notices relevant to a specific flight, area or aerodrome.
- A broader pre-flight briefing: a wider evaluation that also covers weather, performance data, airspace and the operational plan.
Relevance depends on the planned operation, and not every notice in a database affects every flight. NOTAM systems, categories and coding also vary between States. The FAA defines NOTAMs under U.S. procedures, while international operators need to consult the relevant State’s AIP and official aeronautical information services.
Why Are NOTAMs Important Before a Flight?
Skipping the review can leave a crew unaware of conditions that affect safety and compliance. In the United States, FAA guidance ties the review to the pilot’s duty to become familiar with all available information before a flight. Typical operational information communicated through NOTAMs includes:
- Closed or restricted runways
- Taxiway construction and ground-movement limitations
- Inoperative radio navigation aids
- Communication facility outages
- Temporary airspace restrictions and military exercises
- Temporary obstacles along departure, arrival or en route paths
- Changes to instrument procedures
These items connect directly to the wider flight planning workflow, where the NOTAM review is one step among several. The same is true when new national systems change how notices are delivered, as covered in our article on the FAA’s new NOTAM system.
7 Things to Check in a NOTAM Briefing
Instead of reading notices at random, work through this structured framework.
1. Does the NOTAM Affect Your Route?
Start with route relevance. Filter the briefing to the actual geography of the flight rather than sorting through an undifferentiated list. EUROCONTROL’s International NOTAM Operations service, for example, stores international NOTAMs in one place and provides a graphical briefing interface, which reflects how route- and area-based briefing helps. Your review should cover:
- The departure aerodrome
- The destination aerodrome
- Planned alternate airports
- The enroute track
- The flight information regions (FIRs) crossed
- Relevant navigation facilities along the path
2. Check Departure and Destination Airport NOTAMs
Airport-level notices affect how you can use ground and terminal facilities. Look for information on:
- Runway availability and surface conditions
- Taxiway closures and active work areas
- Apron and ramp restrictions
- Ground lighting and approach lighting
- Airport communication frequencies and operating hours
The question is not “is there a NOTAM?” but “what operational consequence does this NOTAM create for my flight?” Cross-referencing the airport database helps you understand the layout and facilities the notice refers to.
3. Review Runway and Taxiway Restrictions
Runway and taxiway notices need prompt attention because they bear directly on takeoff and landing performance. Evaluate:
- Full or partial runway closures
- Displaced thresholds
- Closed taxiways or restricted ground routing
- People and heavy equipment working near movement surfaces
Then decide whether each item affects your primary runway, your alternates, your taxi routing or your aircraft performance calculations.
4. Check Navigation and Communication Facilities
For IFR flights, confirm that the guidance and communication infrastructure you rely on is available. Review notices covering:
- VOR, NDB or DME ground stations
- Instrument landing system components or localiser status
- Air traffic control communication frequencies
- Approach-related equipment outages
An unavailable navigation aid does not automatically mean the flight cannot proceed. The pilot must assess the notice against the aircraft’s equipment, published contingency procedures, applicable operating rules and the alternates available.
5. Look for Airspace Restrictions and Temporary Hazards
Special-use airspace and temporary hazards can force costly reroutes. Check for:
- Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and other airspace restrictions
- Military operating areas and exercises
- Restricted or prohibited airspace activations
- Temporary obstacles such as cranes
Relevance depends on your route, altitude and timing, so read each item against the flight plan.
6. Check Effective and Expiration Times
How do you know whether a NOTAM is active? Check the effective date, start time and end time in the notice. A NOTAM that becomes valid tomorrow does not affect today’s flight, while a restriction that activates shortly before departure needs immediate attention. Make sure you understand the time convention used by the issuing State, which is commonly Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).
7. Determine the Operational Impact
A NOTAM review has to end in a decision, not just a ticked box. Ask whether the information means you should:
- Change the runway selection or takeoff weight limits
- Modify the route or cruising altitude
- Designate a different alternate airport
- Carry out additional fuel calculations or coordinate with dispatch
A Simple Example of Working Through a Briefing
The following scenario is illustrative only. A crew is planning a flight between two airports with one alternate, and the briefing shows three items:
- A taxiway closure at the departure airport, which changes the expected taxi routing and possibly the time needed before takeoff.
- An instrument approach aid out of service at the alternate, which means the crew must check whether the alternate is still suitable for the weather and aircraft equipment.
- A restricted area scheduled to activate for part of the planned track during the estimated time of passage, which calls for a check of the exact times and, if needed, a route or timing change.
Each item is handled the same way: identify where it sits relative to the plan, check when it applies, and decide what to change. Two of the three items would have been easy to miss in a destination-only review.
How to Read a NOTAM
Formats differ between States, but most notices contain the same kinds of information. For U.S. operations, the FAA describes these components:
| Component | What it tells you |
|---|
| Location or identifier | The affected aerodrome or FIR (for example, KJFK) |
| Condition | The nature of the change or hazard (for example, a runway closure) |
| Effective period | The start and end of the notice |
| Altitude or limits | Vertical boundaries, where applicable |
Do not assume that FAA syntax is universal. Always use the official aeronautical information source for the area you are operating in. You can see how the U.S. system presents notices in the FAA’s NOTAM Search tool. For background on code differences, our international flight planning guide covers how State publications vary.
NOTAM Categories Pilots Should Understand
Familiarity with the main classifications makes the review faster. In general terms, notices fall into groups such as:
- Aerodrome NOTAMs: changes to airport facilities, lighting and services
- Runway and taxiway NOTAMs: closures, construction and surface conditions
- Navigation and communication NOTAMs: the status of navaids and frequencies
- Airspace NOTAMs: TFRs, special-use airspace and military activity
- Obstacle NOTAMs: temporary structures, cranes or unlit hazards
U.S. domestic procedures further divide notices into NOTAM (D), FDC NOTAMs, Pointer NOTAMs and Military NOTAMs, as described in the FAA guidance linked above. Other States organise their notices differently.
NOTAMs vs. a Full Pre-Flight Briefing
A NOTAM briefing is one piece of a complete pre-flight briefing. The wider process also includes:
- Meteorological reports and forecasts
- Aeronautical charts and publications
- Aircraft performance and weight limits
- Airspace rules and operational constraints
A NOTAM check complements the rest of the preparation. It does not replace it.
When Should Pilots Check NOTAMs?
Avoid relying on a rigid rule such as “check exactly two hours before departure”. A more reliable cadence is:
- Do an initial review during early flight planning.
- Re-check closer to departure to catch newly issued notices.
- Keep monitoring for updates if the operation runs over extended legs.
Pre-Departure Checklist
| Area | Check item | Status |
|---|
| Departure | Relevant NOTAMs reviewed | Checked |
| Destination | Relevant NOTAMs reviewed | Checked |
| Alternates | NOTAMs reviewed | Checked |
| Route | Route and FIR information checked | Checked |
| Runways | Closures and surface restrictions checked | Checked |
| Taxiways | Ground routing and work areas checked | Checked |
| Navigation | Relevant facility NOTAMs checked | Checked |
| Communications | Frequency and facility outages checked | Checked |
| Airspace | TFRs and hazards checked | Checked |
| Timing | Effective and expiry times verified | Verified |
| Impact | Operational consequences assessed | Assessed |
| Updates | Latest available information reviewed | Confirmed |
7 Common Mistakes When Reviewing NOTAMs
- Checking only the destination. Departure points, alternates and enroute segments deserve the same scrutiny.
- Ignoring effective times. A published notice only applies inside its scheduled window.
- Reading without route context. Reviewing an unfiltered list instead of focusing on your trajectory.
- Treating every NOTAM as equally important. Prioritise by operational impact.
- Confusing NOTAMs with weather. Weather observations and forecasts are separate from facility and procedure changes.
- Using outdated information. Pull current updates before departure rather than relying on an old briefing.
- Assuming universal formatting. Foreign States may not follow domestic formats, so consult the local AIP.
NOTAMs for International Flights
Cross-border operations need a broader review. International planning means checking:
- Departure and arrival State requirements
- Overflown FIR and oceanic area notices
- International alternate aerodromes
- Regional navigation infrastructure changes
Route-based briefing tools help filter relevant data across several States. For the rest of the trip setup, see our guide to international flight planning, and use the compliance library for related reference material.
Flight Planning Software and NOTAM Review
Modern flight planning software can bring weather, route data and NOTAM information into one view. That streamlines collection, but the pilot and dispatcher still interpret the information, assess the risk and make the final go or no-go decision. A tool organises the data. It does not take over the responsibility for checking the official source.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NOTAM briefing?
A NOTAM briefing is a review of the current NOTAM information relevant to a planned flight, including temporary changes affecting airports, airspace, facilities, procedures or hazards.
What should pilots check in a NOTAM briefing?
Pilots should check notices affecting the departure, destination, alternates, route, applicable airspace and relevant navigation or communication facilities, and verify effective times and operational impact.
How do you read a NOTAM?
Identify the affected location, understand the reported condition, check the effective period and decide whether the restriction applies to your aircraft and operation.
How do you know whether a NOTAM is active?
Check the effective date, start time and end time given in the notice, and confirm the time convention used by the issuing State. A notice that is valid tomorrow does not affect today’s flight.
Do NOTAMs affect international flights?
Yes. International planning means reviewing notices across all overflown FIRs, destination States and alternate aerodromes, using official State sources.
Is a NOTAM review the same as a full pre-flight check?
No. A NOTAM briefing covers temporary aeronautical information. A full pre-flight briefing also includes weather, charts, aircraft performance, airspace rules and the operational plan.
When should pilots check NOTAMs?
Review them during early planning, re-check closer to departure to catch newly issued notices, and keep monitoring for updates on extended operations.
Can flight-planning software replace reviewing NOTAMs?
No. Software helps organise the data, but operators remain responsible for evaluating the official information and complying with the applicable rules.
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