NOTAM Item Format
Canadian NOTAMs use ICAO Annex 15 item format: lettered items, not all mandatory (TC AIM MAP 3.2).
- RSC NOTAM is the exception: standard ICAO NOTAM format (not SNOWTAM), key information in Item E (MAP 3.8).
- NOTAM number: series letter, 4 digits, stroke, year.
F0002/19= 2nd NOTAM issued in 2019, series "F" (MAP 3.2.3.1).
Item A) location indicator, mandatory. 4-letter code for an aerodrome or one or more FIRs:
| Subject | Item A holds |
|---|---|
| Directly affects one aerodrome, or 5 NM or less from one | That aerodrome's indicator |
| Affects multiple aerodromes, beyond 5 NM from any, affects airspace, or navigation warning | One or more FIR indicators, up to 7 (MAP 3.4). Check both the aerodrome and FIR NOTAMs |
- Letters only. Aerodrome indicator with 3 letters and 1 number (e.g.
CEB5) entersCXXX; real indicator and aerodrome name go in Item E (MAP 3.2.3.3).
Item B) start time, mandatory. 10-digit date-time group YYMMDDHHMM, always UTC (MAP 3.2.3.4).
Item C) end time, mandatory. Three forms:
| Form | Used when | What happens at that time |
|---|---|---|
YYMMDDHHMM |
End time known precisely | Expires automatically |
YYMMDDHHMMEST |
End time uncertain (e.g. equipment outage) | Stays in force unless revised (NOTAMR) or cancelled (NOTAMC) first |
PERM |
Permanent change | Stays in force until revised (NOTAMR) or cancelled (NOTAMC) |
Item D) schedule, optional (MAP 3.2.3.5):
- Only if information recurs across more than one period within the overall in-force span.
-= "to" (range). Space between elements = "and" (both apply).SR/SS= sunrise/sunset.MINUS/PLUS= minutes offset.SR MINUS25= 25 minutes before sunrise.SS PLUS25= 25 minutes after sunset.
Item E) NOTAM text, mandatory. Subject and condition, in ICAO-approved abbreviations, identifiers, call signs, frequencies, numbers, and plain language (MAP 3.2.3.6).
Items F) and G), mandatory only for navigation warnings (MAP 3.2.3.7):
| Item | Limit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| F | Lower vertical | SFC, feet AGL, feet AMSL, or flight level |
| G | Upper vertical | UNL, feet AGL, feet AMSL, or flight level |
Trap: EST in Item C is not an expiry: NOTAM stays in force past that time until revised or cancelled. Only the plain date-time form expires by itself.
References
- TC AIM MAP 3.2
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.1
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.3
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.4
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.5
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.6
- TC AIM MAP 3.2.3.7
- TC AIM MAP 3.4
- TC AIM MAP 3.8