NOTICE Changes to NOTAM terminology and format

A review of existing rules and new guidelines provided by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), have resulted in changes to NOTAM terminology and format. The change should add clarity to NOTAMs. Item 1 is effective immediately. Changes 2-5 are effective June 27, 2013 to coincide with the publication of version 11 of the Canadian NOTAM Procedures Manual. 1. Taxiway intersections availability: There has been confusion on the availability of taxiway intersections when a taxiway is closed, which often resulted in complex NOTAM. As a rule, when a taxiway is closed, intersecting taxiways are available for use (unless they too are closed by NOTAM). Example 1:
130001 NOTAMN CAAA SUMSPOT/SUNNY SUMSPOT MUNI CAAA TWY A CLSD YYMMDDHHMM TIL YYMMDDHHMM

Fig. 1. Graphical representation of NOTAM 130001

Example 2:
130002 NOTAMN CAAA SUMSPOT/SUNNY SUMSPOT MUNI CAAA TWY A CLSD YYMMDDHHMM TIL YYMMDDHHMM

Fig. 2. Graphical representation of NOTAM 130002

2. In the past, the phrase "aerodrome closed" for short term closures of land aerodromes/airports was not permitted. This rule is obsolete and not aligned with ICAO's recommended NOTAM phraseology. Therefore, the phrase "AD CLSD" is used for short-term closure of land aerodrome or airports, water aerodrome and heliports. A reason for the closure may be included. 3. ICAO has provided additional guidance to describe areas (exercises, forest fires, etc.) defined by a polygon or a circle. a) Polygons are defined by coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds, listed in clockwise order and separated by hyphens. The last point is always the same as the first point to "close the polygon". (Note that seconds may be omitted if the value is zero for example 432700N) Example: 6400N 12050W6355N 12030W6350N 1203430W6345N 12100W6355N
12100W-6400N 12050W

Fig.3 polygon definition

b) A circular area is defined by the word RADIUS followed by the value of the radius in nautical miles (NM), followed by the words CENTRE followed by coordinates of the centre of the circle in degrees, minutes and seconds. (Note that seconds may be omitted if the value is zero for example

432700N)

Example: CEM4 SAR ACT RADIUS 25 NM CENTRE 520443N 1140139W (AD) Example: CSR3 GLIDER ACT RADIUS 5 NM CENTRE 461015N 721020W (APRX 10
NM NW AD)

Example: CZUL MIL ACT RADIUS 10 NM CENTRE 471230N 732615W (APRX 27 NM

W CYQL AD)

4. Runway Threshold: The term displaced threshold can no longer be used in NOTAMs when a runway is partially closed. The phrase "THR IS RELOCATED" is used in these situations. The term displaced threshold only applies when the threshold is moved due to obstacle(s) penetrating the obstacle limitation surface of the approach path to the runway. 5. Runway Availability vs. Closure: When a runway cannot be used but can be made available under certain conditions in whole or in parts, it is said to be unavailable. The NOTAM states the conditions in which can be or cannot be used. Example: RWY 09/27 NOT AVBL FOR ACFT HEAVIER THAN Example: RWY 09/27 AVBL MIL USE ONLY Example: FIRST 500 FT RWY 08 NOT AVBL DUE MAINT. THR 08 IS RELOCATED 500
FT. USABLE LEN REMAINING WHEN THR IS RELOCATED 2510 FT. FULL RWY LEN AVBL 30 MIN PN 555-111-2222.

If a runway is not useable for all types of aircraft or operations, it is said to be closed. The only exception is a mention of availability for taxiing, when required by Air Traffic Services. Example: RWY 06L/24R CLSD, AVBL AS TWY

6. NOTAMJ Runway Surface Condition Coverage: Coverage can be reported in 5% increments; the change will be effective upon the next release of the RSC software SNOWiz in fall 2013. Additional information and examples are available in the Canadian NOTAM Procedures Manual (CNPM): http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.asp?Language=en&Content=ContentDefinitionFiles/Pu blications/AeronauticalInfoProducts/NOTAMProcedure/default.xml