How to read NOTAM

[Colonel_Hardstone]

I was banned from this forum a long time ago and I have no idea why. A few days ago, I received a notification that so I tried to logon and my ban has been lifted and I have no idea why...

But any ways lets get back to the issue of NOTAMs. It is difficult to accurately discuss military matters without knowing about NOTAM (Notices to Airmen) which are not written from laymen but for airmen but with little help you can learn to decipher them.

NOTAMs (Pakistan):

https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/NOTAMS/NotamView.aspx

They are also listed here in reverse chronological order (i.e. the latest one) being first so lets begin to decipher them. The first thing you need to know are the Airport codes for Pakistan and they are as follows:

1. OPKA = Karachi Jinnah International Airport
2. OPIS = Islamabad International Airport
   
3. OPLA = Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport
4. OPPS = Peshawar Bacha Khan International Airport
5. OPQT = Quetta International Airport
6. OPGT = Gwadar International Airport

Most of the action in Pakistan happens around these airports so these are the codes which you need to know.

Secondly, you need to look at the NOTAM number and the example "A0534/20" has two parts:

1. The four digit A0534 is a computer generated number and you can ignore it
2. Then there is always "/" so you could even have a 5 digit number before the "/"
3. Then it is always the year, in our example it is "20" obviously indicates 2020, last year would have been "19" and then "21" for the next year

Thirdly, you need to know the "status" of the NOTAM and you need to concentrate on "Active" or "Permanent"

Now, you can click on "View" and actually begin to decode/decipher a NOTAM

https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/Notams/A0534-20.TXT

The Q line is the most important line of the NOTAM, decoded as follows:

1. OPKR is Karachi where this NOTAM applies and then there is "/"
2. Q is Q line so ignore the first letter
3. The next two letters "AR", look it up here and they mean ATS ROUTE
4. The next two letters "LC", look it up here and they mean RUNWAY CENTERLINE LIGHTS
5. The next two letters "IV" mean that they are related to "IFR and VFR" flights and you can look up the codes here. In this case, it means all flights are affected and you will usually see this
6. NBO means that it applies to all Flight Crews and should be in their pre-flight bulletins and concerns all flight operations
   1. N = NOTAM selected for the immediate attention of flight crew members
   2. B = NOTAM of operational significance selected for PIB entry
   3. O = NOTAM concerning flight operations
   4. M = Miscellaneous NOTAM; not subject for a briefing, but it is available on request
7. Next is the scope and A = Airport and you will only see 3 codes...
   1. A = Aerodrome(applies to Airports only)
      
   2. E = En-route
   3. W = Nav Warning
8. Then you will see altitude which is our case = 000 (Ground level) to 260 (Flight Level 260) or 26,000 feet above sea-level

You need to know when it starts and when it ends so in our example you have two numbers which are B)2007270400 and C)2007280700, deciphered as follows:

1. 20 = 2020
2. 07 = July
   
3. 27 and 28 are 27th and 28th respectively
4. 0400 = 0400
5. 0700 = 0700

 

[Colonel_Hardstone]

Paradrop Activity (Military)

https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/Notams/A0028-20.txt

Read the Q code again which is QWPLW

1. WP = PARACHUTE JUMPING EXERCISE
   
2. LW = WILL TAKE PLACE

Remember to read the second and third letters

And then fourth and fifth code letters

https://www.notams.faa.gov/common/qcode/qcode.html

 

[Colonel_Hardstone]

Military Weapons Testing at SonMiani: 25June-31 July 2020

https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/Notams/A0448-20.txt

Read the Q code again which is QRRCA

1. RR = RESTRICTED AREA
   
2. CA = ACTIVATED

Remember to read the second and third letters

And then fourth and fifth code letters

https://www.notams.faa.gov/common/qcode/qcode.html

The coordinates given are 2522N06632E which break down to:

1. 25 22 N or 25.36666667
   
2. 066 32 E or 66.53333333

Open Google Map and plug in 25.36666667 66.53333333 and you will get the advisory area, click here to go to Google Maps

The testing is possibly being done between the hours of:

1. 02:00 - 09:00
2. 13:00 -16:00

So whatever they are testing, its probably night time and day time firing

The warning is from 0 (Sea Level) to 260 (Flight Level 260) or 26,000 feet above sea-level

UAV Training: 20APRIL-31AUG2020

https://www.caapakistan.com.pk/upload/Notams/A0264-20.txt

Lahore Airport at a warning from 0 (Sea Level) to 120 (Flight Level 120) or 12,000 feet above sea-level due to something related to Drone training