Reading NOTAMs
A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions, formerly Notice to Airmen) is a short-notice bulletin about anything relevant to flight safety – closed runways, out-of-service navigation aids, activated restricted areas, apron construction work. Unlike a METAR or TAF, a NOTAM isn't a weather product, but it's just as much a part of complete flight preparation. This article walks through the structure using an example.
A sample NOTAM
A1234/26 NOTAMN Q) EDWW/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5230N00930E005 A) EDDF B) 2608150600 C) 2608151800 E) RWY 09/27 CLSD DUE TO WIP
Five lines, each with its own job. Taking them in order:
Header: number and type
A1234/26 is the series and sequential number, here series A, number 1234 in year 2026. NOTAMN marks a new NOTAM. If it replaces a previous one, you'll see NOTAMR instead (citing the replaced number in the text); if it cancels one, NOTAMC.
The Q-line
Q) EDWW/QMRLC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5230N00930E005 is machine-readable: the FIR (here EDWW, Bremen FIR), a four-letter Q-code for the affected subject (here, roughly "runway closed"), traffic type (IV = both IFR and VFR affected), purpose/scope codes, lower/upper altitude limit in hundreds of feet (000/999 = from the ground to effectively unlimited), and finally coordinates with a radius of effect in nautical miles. For practical flight prep, the plain-language item E is usually enough – the Q-line exists mainly for automated filtering.
Items A, B, C: where and when
A) EDDF names the affected ICAO airport. B) 2608150600 is the start in YearMonthDay-Hour-Minute UTC format: August 15, 2026, 06:00 UTC. C) 2608151800 is the end accordingly: August 15, 2026, 18:00 UTC. Instead of a fixed end date, you might also see EST (estimated) or PERM (permanent).
Item E: plain text
E) RWY 09/27 CLSD DUE TO WIP is the actual content, in plain text – here: runway 09/27 closed due to work in progress. NOTAM plain text frequently uses standardized abbreviations (RWY, CLSD, U/S for unserviceable, and many more), but stays readable at its core. For altitude limits or restricted areas, optional fields F and G add lower and upper bounds.
Frequently asked NOTAM questions
What's the difference between NOTAMN, NOTAMR and NOTAMC?
NOTAMN is a new NOTAM, NOTAMR replaces a previous one (citing its number), and NOTAMC cancels a previous NOTAM entirely.
What do "EST" and "PERM" mean for validity?
EST (estimated) marks an estimated, not-yet-final end date. PERM (permanent) means the change is permanent, usually until the next AIP update.
Where do I find current NOTAMs for my flight?
Through your country's official NOTAM service (in Germany, DFS/AIS briefing) or approved briefing portals. NOTAMs for departure, destination, alternate and the airspace you'll cross should be checked before every flight.
What's next?
NOTAMs are the part of a complete briefing that no weather app delivers – VFR Wetter included. For how NOTAMs fit together with METAR, TAF and official warnings into a complete flight preparation, see VFR Weather Briefing: Process & Checklist. For every Q-line code and plain-text abbreviation at a glance, see the NOTAM Glossary.
This article does not replace aviation training or an official NOTAM/AIP check. Before every flight, current NOTAMs must be checked through an official source at your own responsibility.