NOTAM is an abbreviation of the term NOtice To AirMen and is used by pilots of airplanes and helicopters for updates on the latest information for a particular airport. It is released by government aviation agencies (in Italy ENAV, ENAC and the Air Force) in accordance with the specific conventions indicated in Annex 15 of the International Convention on Civil Aviation and Aeronautical Information Services.

In fact, NOTAM contains all the information, notifications, prohibitions and procedures in effect for the airport. Like all international technical communications, NOTAM follows a standard terminology format and is written in English. NOTAMs can be issued for various reasons, including:


• hazards relating to air shows or parachute jumps;

• flights by important people such as heads of state;

• closed runways;

• inoperable navigational aids, for example VOR, inoperable runway lights, breakdowns;

• military exercises with resulting airspace restrictions;

• temporary obstacles near airfields, such as cranes.

Every NOTAM issued contains pertinent information and states a duration (start and end date).