Shutdown prevented printing of latest notam publication
VFR charts now scan-capable for safety information
The FAA is advising pilots that the Notices to Airmen Publication (NTAP) valid from Oct. 17 to Nov.14 will not be available in printed form as a consequence of the recently concluded partial government shutdown.
The agency also announced the addition of quick response codes (QR codes) to visual navigation charts, giving pilots a quick link to safety information.
The electronic version of the newly issued NTAP is available for download. The NTAP is published every four weeks.
AOPA encourages pilots to request that your flight service briefer check the NTAP during preflight briefings—because once a notam is included in the publication, "the information is not provided during pilot weather briefings unless specifically requested by the pilot," as stated in the Aeronautical Information Manual.
Adding quick response codes (QR codes) to aeronautical charts lets pilots scan the chart to receive a direct link to such information as safety alerts, chart notices, notams, Alaska weather camera data, and other data. Scanning the QR code (see illustration) on a navigation chart will bring pilots to this page on the FAA website.
