As part of the FAA’s previously announced plan to update the U.S. notam system, AOPA has recommended to the FAA that it consider pilot access, ensure pilots receive only applicable notams, and make sure the transition does not require additional pilot education. AOPA sent the FAA a letter to ensure the FAA had pilots’ needs in mind as it continues its lengthy overhaul of the notam distribution method.
AOPA Manager of Air Traffic Services Pete Lehmann recommended that the FAA continue to offer notams through flight service and DUATS. “The updated notam system should also be designed so that in the future pilots can more frequently utilize graphics and other formats that are easier to use and less cumbersome to interpret,” he said.
Lehmann went on to say the new notam system should filter out unnecessary information that pilots now have to wade through. He also said the system should tailor the notams to the type of operation. Finally, AOPA argued against brining the notam system into the ICAO standard. “Harmonizing with ICAO would likely require all pilots to be trained on the new notam format, a costly and time-consuming effort that could easily be avoided if the FAA designs the future notam system in such a way that pilots can read the notam information in the existing format,” Lehmann said.
AOPA’s current letter is the latest in a series of efforts aimed at ensuring members are well represented through the long process of changing the notam system.
