NOTICES TO AIRMEN SYSTEM

1.     PURPOSE.  To increase pilot knowledge of the
Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) system through the Accident
Prevention Program.

2.     DISTRIBUTION.  This notice is distributed to
all Accident Prevention Program Managers in the
regional Flight Standards Divisions and Flight
Standards District Offices.

3.     BACKGROUND.  The System Safety and Efficiency
Review team identified a lack of sufficient knowledge
about the NOTAM system within the pilot community. 
Pilots surveyed did not display sufficient
understanding or working knowledge of the complete
NOTAM system.  Their current perception is that by
calling a Flight Service Station for a standard
briefing, they receive ALL the NOTAM information they
need for a given flight.  Team members indicated that
the NOTAM system should eventually be changed to
match pilots' perceptions, but in the meantime
educational efforts are necessary to improve the
utility of the current system.

4.     GUIDANCE.

       a.  This information should be disseminated
through operations inspectors and Accident Prevention
Program Managers to address and clarify the NOTAM
system for pilots through Accident prevention Program
seminars, flight instructor seminars, and local
accident prevention newsletters.  The program
managers should also request that operations
inspectors and designated pilot examiners cover this
subject during the pilot certification process. 
Implementation of this matter should be addressed
immediately.

       b.  Key elements to present should be the
definitions of, and differences between, NOTAM (L),
NOTAM (D), Flight Data Center (FDC) NOTAMS, and the
difference between Class I and Class II NOTAM
distribution.  NOTAM (D) information and FDC NOTAMS
which have been published in the NOTAM publication
are NOT included in pilot briefings unless a review
of this publication is specifically requested by the
pilot.  FDC NOTAMS are regulatory in nature, and
under FAR Section 91.103, the pilot is responsible
for obtaining ALL available information.

       c.  The Accident Prevention Program, AFS-21, of
the General Aviation Staff, AFS-20, will provide
additional clarification of the NOTAM system by
issuance of an FAA-P-8740 series Accident Prevention
Program pamphlet.  This pamphlet will be given wide
distribution through the Accident Prevention Program
Managers in the Flight Standards District Offices.

5.     DISPOSITION.  This notice will not become part
of a permanent order or advisory document.


(original signed by)

Thomas C. Accardi
Acting Director, Flight Standards Service

Action?