NOTAM Briefing

033-04-01Pablo Asensio Martínez2026-04-011 min

What is a NOTAM?

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) is a notice containing information concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any aeronautical facility, service, procedure, or hazard, the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations.

NOTAM Series

NOTAMs are issued in series identified by a letter (e.g., A, B, C):

  • Series A: General international importance.
  • Series B: Matters of national importance.
  • Series C: For aerodromes only.

SNOWTAM and ASHTAM

  • SNOWTAM: A special series NOTAM notifying the presence or removal of hazardous conditions due to snow, ice, slush, or standing water on the movement area.
  • ASHTAM: A special series NOTAM notifying characteristic change in volcanic activity, volcanic eruption, and/or volcanic ash cloud of operational significance.

Pre-Flight Information Bulletin (PIB)

During pre-flight preparation, pilots receive a PIB which filters NOTAMs relevant to their flight:

  • Aerodrome PIB: NOTAMs for Departure, Destination, and Alternates.
  • Area PIB: NOTAMs for FIRs (Flight Information Regions) crossed.
  • Route PIB: NOTAMs for a specific route corridor.
  • Narrow Route PIB: Only NOTAMs within a narrow path along the route.