NOTAM - Notice to Airmen

In order to be optimally prepared for a UAS and UAV flight, pilots must be aware of new obstacles and other information in addition to the SERA. This works through information from German Air Traffic Control (DFS), the NOTAM.

What is NOTAM?

The acronym stands for notice to airmen. This is information and instructions about changes to the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). These changes can be temporary or permanent. They are crucial for orderly, safe and smooth air traffic.

Short-term and urgent instructions, procedures and information from the NOTAM serve as supplementary information for a flight. The fact that changes to the AIP are distributed by post means that they are not necessarily required for new changes.

What does a NOTAM say?

The instructions and information disseminated in a NOTAM are messages about installations, changes and conditions of any aviation facilities, services, procedures or hazards.

A NOTAM therefore warns pilots of obstacles that have been newly installed or are not recognizable due to defective lights, for example. It also contains warnings about drone activity and provides information about temporary flight restriction areas. For example, a disaster control operation site in the event of flooding. This special information is summarized for airlines in a briefing package.

Categories Briefing Package

The briefing package is divided into categories. These are Departure (departure airfield), Enroute (route), Alternate (alternate airfield), Destination (destination airfield) and Company-NOTAM (information that only applies to the airline).

New briefings on the latest amendments and new publications can be found on the DFS website. NOTAMs are also disseminated via the Aeronautical Telecommunications Fixed Network (AFTN).