ICAO NOTAM Format
The format of NOTAM is defined in Annex 15 to the International
Convention on Civil Aviation. An explanation of the format can be found
here. Here is a typical NOTAM and its decode.
A1484/02 NOTAMN
Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A) EGLL
B) 0208231540
C) 0210310500 EST
E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL
NOTAM Decoder
A1484/02
- One letter to indicate the Series, a 4-digit NOTAM number followed by a
stroke and two digits to indicate the year.
NOTAMN
- Suffix N Indicates this is a new NOTAM.
Other options are R for NOTAM replacing another or C for one cancelling
another.
Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
This is the "Q" or qualifier line, it
always starts Q) and contains the following
fields, each separated by a stroke.
FIR (here
EGTT,
London FIR)
NOTAM Code, a 5 letter code starting
with Q, defined in Annexe 15. Here QMR
indicates that it concerns a Runway. XX
indicates that remaining detail is in Plain Language. In this particular
case the text shows that certain runway lighting is unavailable. Strictly
speaking under ICAO rules this should have appeared as separate NOTAM for
each type of lighting. QLCAS is the code for centreline lighting u/s QLZAS
is the code for Touch Down Zone lighting u/s and QLAAS is the code for
Approach Lighting u/s (note in all cases AS indicates unserviceable). The
use of QMRXX here is a sensible compromise that
reduces the number of NOTAM from three to one. A full list of codes is
included in ICAO document 8126 (Aeronautical Information Services Manual).
IV
- Indicates that this is significant for IFR
and VFR traffic
NBO
- Indicates for immediate attention of aircraft operators, for inclusion in
PIB's and Operationally significant for IFR flights
A
- Indicates scope, here Aerodrome, others are E (en-route) or W (nav
warning)
000/999
- Lower and upper limits expressed as a flight level. In this case it has
been left as the default as it is not applicable.
5129N00028W005
- Indicates the geographical centre and radius of influence, always this
number of digits. In this case the radius is 5 n.m.
A) EGLL
- ICAO indicator of the aerodrome or FIR
(London Heathrow) can include more than one FIR
B) 0208231540
- Date/time group (UTC) when this NOTAM becomes effective
C) 0210310500 EST
- Date/time group (UTC) when the NOTAM ceases to be effective. Note "EST"
means "estimated" (NOT Eastern Standard Time!). All NOTAM with EST remain in
force until cancelled or replaced.
E) RWY 09R/27L DUE
WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL
- Text of the notam using ICAO abbreviations.
Decode of this is "Runway 09/27 due
to work in progress no centreline, touchdown zone or simple approach
lighting system available"
Here's the whole thing again
A1484/02 NOTAMN
Q) EGTT/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A) EGLL
B) 0208231540
C) 0210310500 EST
E) RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL
and here's the same thing as it appears in the PIB produced by ANAIS
AGA : FROM
02/08/23 15:40 TO 02/10/31 05:00 EST A1484/02
E)RWY 09R/27L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ OR SALS LIGHTING AVBL
You can see that the Q line is omitted entirely,
A)
has been stripped out because it appears as the header to the section and
B) and C) have
been reformatted and placed in the first line. AGA has been derived from the
Q Code "QMR" (see Annex 15)
INTERNATIONAL NOTAM (Q) CODES
This appendix is to be used to interpret the contents
of coded international NOTAM's.
a. A NOTAM code group contains five letters. The first
letter is always the letter "Q'' to indicate a code abbreviation for use
in the composition of NOTAM's.
b. The second and third letters identify the subject
being reported. (See Second and Third Letter Decode Tables).
c. The fourth and fifth letters identify the status of
operation of the subject being reported. (See Fourth and Fifth Letter
Decode Tables).
