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NOTAM Glossary

By Niels Deuter, developer of VFR Wetter · updated 15 Aug 2026

Every Q-line code and common plain-text abbreviation found in NOTAMs, grouped by category. For the structure and a fully worked example, see Reading NOTAMs.

Report types

  • NOTAMN – a new NOTAM.
  • NOTAMR – Replaces: replaces a previous NOTAM, whose number is cited in the text.
  • NOTAMC – Cancels: cancels a previous NOTAM entirely.
  • TRIGGER NOTAM – a short pointer NOTAM flagging a larger AIP change at the next AIRAC cycle.
  • Checklist NOTAM – a periodic list of all currently valid NOTAMs in a category, marked in the Q-line with K instead of a traffic type/scope.

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Q-line: traffic

  • I – IFR traffic only affected.
  • V – VFR traffic only affected.
  • IV – both IFR and VFR traffic affected.

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Q-line: purpose

  • N – selected for the immediate attention of aircraft operators.
  • B – selected for pre-flight information briefing (PIB) entry.
  • O – concerning flight operations.
  • M – miscellaneous; not automatically included in briefings, but available on request.

Letters are frequently combined, e.g. NBO for "immediate attention, include in briefing, flight-operations relevant."

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Q-line: scope

  • A – Aerodrome: airport-specific.
  • E – En-route.
  • W – Navigation warning, usually a wider area (e.g. restricted areas).
  • AE / AW – combinations, when both areas are affected.

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Altitude and time references

  • SFC – Surface.
  • UNL – Unlimited.
  • AGL – Above Ground Level.
  • AMSL – Above Mean Sea Level.
  • FL – Flight Level.
  • WEF – With Effect From.
  • TIL – Until.
  • UFN – Until Further Notice.
  • PERM – Permanent.
  • EST – Estimated: a provisional, not-yet-final end date.
  • H24 – continuous, 24 hours.
  • HJ – from sunrise to sunset.
  • HN – from sunset to sunrise.
  • HX – no fixed schedule, see plain text for detail.
  • DLY – Daily.
  • SKED – Scheduled.

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Common plain-text abbreviations (item E)

  • RWY – Runway.
  • TWY – Taxiway.
  • APRON – aircraft parking/apron area.
  • CLSD – Closed.
  • U/S – Unserviceable.
  • WIP – Work In Progress.
  • AVBL – Available.
  • OBST – Obstacle.
  • LGT – Light(s).
  • LGTD / UNLGTD – lighted / unlighted.
  • MAINT – Maintenance.
  • ACFT – Aircraft.
  • APCH – Approach.
  • DEP – Departure.
  • ARR – Arrival.
  • CHG – Change(d).
  • FREQ – Frequency.
  • OPR – Operate/Operative.
  • CTC – Contact.
  • NAV – Navigation.
  • THR – Threshold.
  • TFC – Traffic.
  • BTN – Between.
  • DUE – Due to.
  • PSN – Position.
  • REF – Reference.
  • IAW – In Accordance With.
  • O/R – On Request.
  • RTE – Route.
  • EXC – Except.
  • NR – Number.

This glossary follows common ICAO standard abbreviations (including ICAO Doc 8400), but does not claim to be exhaustive or fully current. It does not replace aviation training or an official NOTAM check. Where a specific NOTAM's wording differs, the official text always governs, not this overview.