CONTENTS

CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................1
THE NOTAM FORMAT........................................................................................................2
1. General......................................................................................................................... 2
2. NOTAM numbering.......................................................................................................2
3. Qualifiers (Item Q)........................................................................................................ 2
A) FIR............................................................................................................................ 2
B) NOTAM CODE..........................................................................................................2
C) TRAFFIC...................................................................................................................2
D) PURPOSE................................................................................................................ 3
E) SCOPE..................................................................................................................... 3
F) LOWER/UPPER....................................................................................................... 3
G) COORDINATES, RADIUS.......................................................................................3
4. Item A).......................................................................................................................... 3
5. Item B).......................................................................................................................... 3
6. Item C).......................................................................................................................... 3
7. Item D).......................................................................................................................... 3
8. Item E).......................................................................................................................... 4
9. Items F) and G).............................................................................................................4
Example............................................................................................................................4
NOTAM CODES...................................................................................................................6
 THE NOTAM FORMAT

1. General
1.1 The qualifier line (Q) and all identifiers (A to G inclusive) each followed by a closing
parenthesis, as shown in the format, must be transmitted unless there is no entry to be
made against a particular identifier.
1.2 Each NOTAM must deal with only one subject and one condition concerning the subject.
2. NOTAM numbering
Each NOTAM shall be allocated a series identified by a letter and a four-digit number
followed by a stroke and a two-digit number for the year (e.g. A0023/03).

3. Qualifiers (Item Q)

This Item is divided in eight fields, each separated by a stroke. If no entry is to be made in a
field, it is not necessary to transmit blanks between the strokes. The definition of each field
is as follows:
A) FIR
ICAO location indicator, FIR or country indicator plus "XX" if applicable to more than one FIR
within a State which will then be listed in Item A).
B) NOTAM CODE
ICAO five-letter code or one of the following combinations as necessary:

 If the subject of the NOTAM (second and third letters of NOTAM Code) is not in the
NOTAM Code list, the following letters should be used in reference to the category:
QAGXX = AGA QRCXX =
RAC QCOXX = COM
QXXXX = Other
 If the conditions of the subject are not in the NOTAM Code list, insert "XX" condition as
the fourth and fifth letters.
Example: QFAXX
 The following fourth and fifth letters of NOTAM Code should be used in NOTAM
cancellations: AK : RESUMED NORMAL OPS
AL : OPERATIVE (OR RE-OPERATIVE) SUBJECT TO PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
LIMITATIONS/CONDITIONS
AO : OPERATIONAL
CC : COMPLETED
XX : PLAIN LANGUAGE.

C) TRAFFIC

I =
IFR
V =
VFR
IV = IFR/VFR is of interest to both types of flights.
 K = NOTAM is a checklist

D) PURPOSE

N = NOTAM selected for the immediate attention of aircraft

operators B = NOTAM selected for PIB entry
O = Operationally significant for IFR flights
M = Miscellaneous NOTAM; not subject for a briefing, but it is available on
request. K = NOTAM is a checklist

E) SCOPE
A=
Aerodrome E
= En-route
W = Nav Warning
K = NOTAM is a checklist

Note. Some radio navigation aids will be both "A" and "E" serving a dual purpose as en-route
and terminal aids, for example; therefore the NOTAM text will be used to determine if the
scope should refer to A, E or AE. If a subject is qualified AE, the aerodrome location indicator
must be reported in Item A).

F) LOWER/UPPER
LOWER and UPPER limits shall always be filled and shall only be expressed in flight
levels (FL). In the case of navigation warnings and airspace restrictions, values entered
shall be consistent with those provided under Items F) and G).
If the subject does not contain specific height information, insert “000” for LOWER and
“999” for UPPER as default values.
G) COORDINATES, RADIUS
The latitude and longitude accurate to one minute, as well as a three-digit distance figure
giving the radius of influence in NM (e.g. 4700N01140E043). Coordinates present
approximate centre of circle whose radius encompasses the whole area of influence.
4. Item A)
Insert ICAO location indicator of aerodrome or FIR in which the facility, airspace, or condition
being reported on is located. More than one FIR/UIR may be indicated when appropriate. If
there is no available ICAO location indicator, use the ICAO nationality letter as given in ICAO
Doc 7910, Part 2 plus XX and followed up in Item E) by the name, in plain language.
5. Item B)
For date-time group use a ten-figure group, giving year, month, day, hours and minutes in
UTC. This entry is the date-time at which the NOTAM N, R or C comes into force. In the case
of NOTAM R which replaces the previous NOTAM and promulgates new information, field B)
must give the date-time group at which this new information supersedes that to which it
refers.

6. Item C)
A date-time group must be used unless the information is PERM. If the information on
timing is uncertain, the approximate duration must be indicated using a date-time group
followed by an EST. Any NOTAM which includes an EST must be cancelled or replaced.
7. Item D)
If the hazard, status of operation or condition of facilities being reported on will be active
during specified periods, insert such information under Item D).
8. Item E)
Use decoded NOTAM Code, completed where necessary by indicators, identifiers, designators, call
signs, frequencies, figures and plain language. ICAO abbreviations should be used where appropriate.
This entry must be clear and concise in order to provide a suitable PIB entry. In the case of NOTAM C,
a subject reference and status message should be included to enable accurate plausibility checks.

9. Items F) and G)
These items are normally applicable to navigation warnings or airspace restrictions and are usually
part of the PIB entry. Insert lower and upper height limits of activities or restrictions, clearly indicating
reference datum and units of measurement.
Example
A1484/16 NOTAMN
Q) DNKK/QMRXX/IV/NBO/A/000/999/5129N00028W005
A) DNKA
B) 1604231540
C) 0910310500 EST
E) RWY 04R/22L DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ LIGHTING OR SALS AVBL
A1484/09 - 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) DNKK/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 DNKK, KANO 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
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) DNKN - ICAO indicator of the aerodrome or FIR (Kano Airport) can include more than one FIR
B) 1604231540 - Date/time group (UTC) when this NOTAM becomes effective

C) 0910310500 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 04/22 DUE WIP NO CENTRELINE, TDZ or SALSLIGHTING AVBL - text of the
notam using ICAO abbreviations.
Decode of this is "Runway 04/22 due to work in progress no centreline, touchdown zone
or simple approach lighting system available"

NOTAM 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).

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Lighting Facilities (L)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
LA Approach lighting system (specify runway and type) apch lgt
LB Aerodrome beacon abn
LC Runway center line lights (specify runway) rwy centreline lgt
LD Landing direction indicator lights ldi lgt
LE Runway edge lights (specify runway) rwy edge lgt
LF Sequenced flashing lights (specify runway) sequenced flg lgt
LH High intensity runway lights (specify runway) high intst rwy lgt
LI Runway end identifier lights (specify runway) rwy end id lgt
LJ Runway alignment indicator lights (specify runway) rwy alignment indicator lgt
LK Category II components of approach lighting system category II components apch
(specify runway) lgt
LL Low intensity runway lights (specify runway) low intst rwy lgt
LM Medium intensity runway lights (specify runway) medium intst rwy lgt
LP Precision approach path indicator (PAPI) (specify papi
runway)
LR All landing area lighting facilities ldg area lgt fac
LS Stopway lights (specify runway) swy lgt
LT Threshold lights (specify runway) thr lgt
LV Visual approach slope indicator system (specify type vasis
and runway)
LW Heliport lighting heliport lgt
LX Taxiway centre line lights (specify taxiway) twy centreline lgt
LY Taxiway edge lights (specify taxiway) twy edge lgt
LZ Runway touchdown zone lights (specify runway) rwy tdz lgt
 THE NOTAM CODE
DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Movement and Landing Area (M)
Code Signification Uniform
Abbreviated
MA Movement area Phraseology
mov area
MB Bearing strength (specify part of landing area or bearing strength
movement area)
MC Clearway (specify runway) cwy
MD Declared distances (specify runway) declared dist
MG Taxiing guidance system tax guidance system
MH Runway arresting gear (specify runway) rwy arst gear
MK Parking area prkg area
MM Daylight markings (specify threshold, centre line, etc.) day markings
MN Apron apron
MP Aircraft stands (specify) acft stand
MR Runway (specify runway) rwy
MS Stopway (specify runway) swy
MT Threshold (specify runway) thr
MU Runway turning bay (specify runway) rwy turning bay
MW Strip (specify runway) strip
MX Taxiway(s) (specify) twy

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
AGA Facilities and Services (F)
Code Signification Uniform
Abbreviated
FA Aerodrome Phraseology
ad
FB Braking action measurement equipment (specify type) ba measurement eqpt
FC Ceiling measurement equipment ceiling measurement
FD Docking system (specify AGNIS, BOLDS, etc.) eqpt
dckg system
FF Fire fighting and rescue fire and rescue
FG Ground movement control gnd mov ctl
FH Helicopter alighting area/platform hel alighting area
FL Landing direction indicator ldi
FM Meteorological service (specify type) met
FO Fog dispersal system fog dispersal
FP Heliport heliport
FS Snow removal equipment snow removal eqpt
FT Transmissometer (specify runway and, where applicable, transmissometer
designator(s) of transmissometer(s))
FU Fuel availability fuel avbl
FW Wind direction indicator wdi
FZ Customs cust

THE NOTAM CODE

 THE NOTAM CODE
DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
COM Instrument and Microwave Landing System (I)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
ID DME associated with ILS ils dme
IG Glide path (ILS) (specify runway) ils gp
II Inner marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils im
IL Localizer (ILS) (specify runway) ils liz
IM Middle marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils mm
IO Outer marker (ILS) (specify runway) ils om
IS ILS Category I (specify runway) ils I
IT ILS Category II (specify runway) ils II
IU ILS Category III (specify runway) ils III
IW Microwave landing system (MLS) (specify runway) mls
IX Locator, outer (ILS) (specify runway) ils lo
IY Locator, middle (ILS) (specify runway) ils lm

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
COM Terminal and En Route Navigation Facilities (N)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
NA All radio navigation facilities (except...) all rdo nav fac
NB Nondirectional radio beacon ndb
NC DECCA decca
ND Distance measuring equipment (DME) dme
NF Fan marker fan mkr
NL Locator (specify identification) l
NM VOR/DME vor/dme
NN TACAN tacan
NO OMEGA omega
NT VORTAC vortac
NV VOR vor
NX Direction finding station (specify type and df
frequency)

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Airspace Organization (A)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
AA Minimum altitude (specify en route/crossing/safe) mnm alt
AC Class B, C, D, or E Surface Area ctr
AD Air defense identification zone (ADIZ) adiz
AE Control area (CTA) cta
AF Flight information region (FIR) fir
AH Upper control area (UTA) uta
AL Minimum usable flight level mnm usable fl
AN Area navigation route rnav route
AO Oceanic control area (OCA) oca
AP Reporting point (specify name or Coded designator) rep
AR ATS route (specify) ats route
AT Class B Airspace tma
AU Upper flight information region (UIR) uir
AV Upper advisory area (UDA) uda
AX Intersection (INT) int
AZ Aerodrome traffic zone (ATZ) atz

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Air Traffic and VOLMET Services (S)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
SA Automatic terminal information service (ATIS) atis
SB ATS reporting office aro
SC Area control centre (ACC) acc
SE Flight information service (FIS) fis
SF Aerodrome flight information service (AFIS) afis
SL Flow control centre flow ctl centre
SO Oceanic area control centre (OAC) oac
SP Approach control service (APP) app
SS Flight service station (FSS) fss
ST Aerodrome control tower (TWR) twr
SU Upper area control centre (UAC) uac
SV VOLMET broadcast volmet
SY Upper advisory service (specify) advisory ser

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
RAC Air Traffic Procedures (P)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
PA Standard instrument arrival (STAR) (specify route star
designator)
PD Standard instrument departure (SID) (specify route sid
designator)
PF Flow control procedure flow ctl proc
PH Holding procedure hldg proc
PI Instrument approach procedure (specify type and inst apch proc
runway)
PL Obstacle clearance limit (specify procedure) ocl
PM Aerodrome operating minima (specify procedure and opr minima
amended minimum)
PO Obstacle clearance altitude oca
PP Obstacle clearance height och
PR Radio failure procedure radio failure proc
PT Transition altitude transition alt
PU Missed approach procedure (specify runway) missed apch proc
PX Minimum holding altitude (specify fix) mnm hldg alt
PZ ADIZ procedure adiz proc

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Navigation Warnings: Airspace Restrictions (R)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
RA Airspace reservation (specify) airspace reservation
RD Danger area (specify national prefix and number) ..d..
RO Overflying of ... (specify) overflying
RP Prohibited area (specify national prefix and number) ..p..
RR Restricted area (specify national prefix and number) ..r..
RT Temporary restricted area tempo restricted

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Navigation Warnings: Warnings (W)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
WA Air display air display
WB Aerobatics aerobatics
WC Captive balloon or kite captive balloon or kite
WD Demolition of explosives demolition of explosives
WE Exercises (specify) exer
WF Air refueling air refueling
WG Glider flying glider flying
WJ Banner/target towing banner/target towing
WL Ascent of free balloon ascent of free balloon
WM Missile, gun or rocket firing frng
WP Parachute jumping exercise (PJE) pje
WS Burning or blowing gas burning or blowing gas
WT Mass movement of aircraft mass mov of acft
WV Formation flight formation flt
WZ model flying model flying

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
SECOND AND THIRD LETTERS
Other Information (O)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
OA Aeronautical information service ais
OB Obstacle (specify details) obst
OE Aircraft entry requirements acft entry rqmnts
OL Obstacle lights on ... (specify) obst lgt
OR Rescue coordination centre rcc

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Availability (A)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
AC Withdrawn for maintenance withdrawn maint
AD Available for daylight operation avbl day ops
AF Flight checked and found reliable fltck okay
AG Operating but ground checked only, awaiting flight opr awaiting fltck
check
AH Hours of service are now hr ser
AK Resumed normal operations okay
AM Military operations only mil ops only
AN Available for night operation avbl night ops
AO Operational opr
AP Available, prior permission required avbl ppr
AR Available on request avbl o/r
AS Unserviceable u/s
AU Not available (specify reason if appropriate) not avbl
AW Completely withdrawn withdrawn
AX Previously promulgated shutdown has been promulgated shutdown cnl
cancelled

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Changes (C)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
CA Activated act
CC Completed cmpl
CD Deactivated deactivated
CE Erected erected
CF Operating frequency(ies) changed to freq change
CG Downgraded to downgraded to
CH Changed changed
CI Identification or radio call sign changed to ident change
CL Realigned realigned
CM Displaced displaced
CO Operating opr
CP Operating on reduced power opr reduced pwr
CR Temporarily replaced by tempo rplcd by
CS Installed installed
CT On test, do not use on test, do not use
 THE NOTAM CODE
DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Hazard Conditions (H)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated
Phraseology
HA Braking action is ... ba is
1)Poor

2)Medium/Poor

3)Medium

4)Medium/Good

5)Good
HB Braking coefficient is ... (specify measurement device brkg coefficient is
used)
HC Covered by compacted snow to depth of cov compacted snow
depth
HD Covered by dry snow to a depth of cov dry snow depth

HE Covered by water to a depth of cov water depth

HF Totally free of snow and ice free of snow and ice

HG Grass cutting in progress grass cutting

HH Hazard due to (specify) hazard due
HI Covered by ice cov ice
HJ Launch planned ... (specify balloon flight identification launch plan
or project Code name, launch site, planned period of
launch(es)_date/time, expected climb direction,
estimate time to pass 18,000 m (60,000 ft), together
with estimated location)
HK Migration in progress migration inpr
HL Snow clearance completed snow clr cmpl
HM Marked by marked by
HN Covered by wet snow or slush to a depth of cov wet snow depth

HO Obscured by snow obscured by snow

HP Snow clearance in progress snow clr inpr

HQ Operation cancelled ... (specify balloon flight opr cnl
identification or project Code name)
HR Standing water standing water
HS Sanding in progress sanding
HT Approach according to signal area only apch according signal
area only
HU Launch in progress ... (specify balloon flight launch inpr
identification or project Code name, launch site,
date/time of launch(es), estimated time passing
18,000 m (60,000 ft), or reaching cruising level if at or
below 18,000 m (60,000 ft), together with
 of the flight, and planned location of ground contact
when applicable)
HV Work completed work cmpl
HW Work in progress wip
HX Concentration of birds bird
concentration
HY Snow banks exist (specify height) snow banks hgt
HZ Covered by frozen ruts and ridges cov frozen ruts
and ridges

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Limitations (L)
Code Signification Uniform Abbreviated Phraseology
LA Operating on auxiliary power supply opr aux pwr
LB Reserved for aircraft based therein reserved for acft based therein
LC Closed clsd
LD Unsafe unsafe
LE Operating without auxiliary power supply opr without aux pwr
LF Interference from interference from
LG Operating without identification opr without ident
LH Unserviceable for aircraft heavier than u/s acft heavier than
LI Closed to IFR operations clsd ifr ops
LK Operating as a fixed light opr as f lgt
LL Usable for length of...and width of... usable length/width
LN Closed to all night operations clsd night ops
LP Prohibited to prohibited to
LR Aircraft restricted to runways and taxiways acft restricted to rwy and twy
LS Subject to interruption subj intrp
LT Limited to limited to
LV Closed to VFR operations clsd vfr ops
LW Will take place will take place
LX Operating but caution advised due to opr but caution due

THE NOTAM CODE

DECODE
FOURTH AND FIFTH LETTERS
Other (XX)
Cod Signification Uniform
e Abbreviated
XX Where 4th and 5th letter Code does not cover the (plain language
situation, use XX and supplement by plain language following the
NOTAM Code)