ICAO Abbreviations and Codes: Ninth Edition, 2016
ICAO Abbreviations and Codes: Ninth Edition, 2016
ICAO Abbreviations and Codes: Ninth Edition, 2016
This edition supersedes, on 10 November 2016, all previous editions of Doc 8400.
This edition supersedes, on 10 November 2016, all previous editions of Doc 8400.
© ICAO 2016
AMENDMENTS CORRIGENDA
33 8/11/18 — ICAO
(iii)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Abbreviations
Abbreviations and terms to be transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form when
used in radiotelephony
___________________
(v) 10/11/16
FOREWORD
1. Introduction
This document contains abbreviations and codes approved by the Council of ICAO for worldwide use in the international
aeronautical telecommunication service and in aeronautical information documents, as appropriate, uniform abbreviated
phraseology for use in pre-flight information bulletins and ATS data link communications, with the status of Procedures for Air
Navigation Services (in abbreviated form the PANS-ABC).
This document is the outgrowth of study by the Air Navigation Commission in consultation with States in the matter of
controlling and coordinating abbreviations and codes. It brings together all abbreviations and codes for use in aircraft
operations with the following exceptions:
a) Designators for Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services promulgated in Doc 8585.
b) Data designators and geographical designators for meteorological bulletins given in the Manual of Aeronautical
Meteorological Practice (Doc 8896).
d) Additional abbreviations for restricted use in aeronautical information services (AIS) documents given in the
Aeronautical Information Services Manual (Doc 8126).
Table A shows the origin of each edition of the PANS-ABC issued since 1964 and subsequent amendments thereto,
together with a list of the principal subjects involved, the dates on which the amendments were approved by the Council and
the dates on which they became applicable.
a) that allocation of more than one signification to a single abbreviation should be avoided except where it can be
reasonably determined that no instances of misinterpretation would arise;
b) that allocation of more than one abbreviation to the same signification should be avoided even though a different use
is prescribed;
c) that abbreviations should make use of the root word or words and should be derived from words common to the
working languages except that where it is impracticable to apply this principle to best advantage, the abbreviation
should follow the English text;
d) that the use of a singular or plural form for the signification of an abbreviation should be selected on the basis of the
more common use;
(vii) 10/11/16
(viii) ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
e) that an abbreviation may represent grammatical variants of the basic signification where such application can be
made without risk of confusion and the desired grammatical form can be determined from the context of the
message.
With respect to the latter principle, several variants are given for a number of abbreviations where it might not be
obvious that the variant is appropriate or acceptable.
Specifications governing the use of abbreviations and codes are contained in the following ICAO Annexes and PANS:
c) use of abbreviations and codes in the international aeronautical telecommunications service: 3.7 of Annex 10,
Volume II;
e) use of abbreviations in plain language meteorological messages: Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and Appendices 1, 2, 3, 5
and 6 of Annex 3;
f) use of abbreviations in air-reports: 4.12 of Chapter 4 and Appendix 1 of PANS-ATM (Doc 4444);
g) use of abbreviations and designators in flight plans and other air traffic services messages: Chapters 11 and 16 and
Appendices 2, 3, 5 and 6 of PANS-ATM (Doc 4444).
4. Status
The PANS do not have the same status as the Standards and Recommended Practices. While the latter are adopted by
Council in pursuance of Article 37 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, and are subject to the full procedure of
Article 90, the PANS are approved by the Council and recommended to Contracting States for worldwide application.
5. Implementation
The implementation of procedures is the responsibility of Contracting States; they are applied in actual operations only after,
and in so far as, States have enforced them. However, with a view to facilitating their processing towards implementation by
States, this document has been prepared in a manner which will permit direct use by operational personnel.
6. Notification of differences
The PANS do not carry the status afforded to Standards adopted by the Council as Annexes to the Convention and, therefore,
do not come within the obligation imposed by Article 38 of the Convention to notify differences in the event of non-
implementation.
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10/11/16
No. 33
Foreword (ix)
However, the attention of States is drawn to the provision in the Procedures for Air Navigation Services — Aeronautical
Information Management (PANS-AIM, Doc 10066) related to the publication in Aeronautical Information Publications of a
list of abbreviations and their respective significations used by the State in its Aeronautical Information Publications and in
the dissemination of aeronautical data and aeronautical information. Differences from ICAO abbreviations or their
significations should be identified.
7. Editorial presentation
For encoding purposes the abbreviations given in this document are divided among a “general” and several specialized
categories. For the convenience of the user, there is some duplication among these categories. Nevertheless, it may be
necessary to draw on the “general” category of abbreviations when composing messages using one of the specialized
categories.
Certain Q Code signals which through constant use have attained plain language status have been placed with their plain
language significations in the portion of this document which contains the “general” category abbreviations.
Throughout the document, decode material is printed on white paper, encode material on green paper.
Any errors, omissions or discrepancies should be brought to the attention of the Secretary General of ICAO,
999 Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, Montréal, Quebec, Canada H3C 5H7.
Approved
Amendment Source(s) Subject(s) Applicable
1st Edition (1964) Air Navigation Study on the control and coordination of abbreviations and codes. 18 March 1964
Commission 1 November 1964
Amendment 1 MET/OPS Meeting Editorial and consequential amendments emanating from Amendment 44 to 7 June 1965
(1964); Fifth Meeting Annex 10, Amendment 9 to PANS-MET and Amendment 7 to PANS-RAC; 10 March 1966
of the Panel of addition and modification of meteorological abbreviations; amendment of
Teletypewriter abbreviations used on the AFTN.
Specialists (1963)
Amendment 2 ICAO Secretariat Consequential and editorial changes to the Foreword emanating from Air
Navigation Commission and Council action on various regulatory and service 25 August 1966
documents.
2nd Edition AIS/MAP Various changes to abbreviations and codes to reflect current operational 13 June 1967
(1967) Divisional Meeting requirements and practices. 8 February 1968
(includes (1966)
Amendment 3)
Amendment 4 Air Navigation Consequential changes to abbreviations used for air traffic purposes 4 April 1968
Commission emanating from Amendment 2 to the Eighth Edition of Doc 4444 4 April 1968
(PANS-RAC).
Amendment 5 Air Navigation Consequential changes to abbreviations used for plain language meteorology 28 June 1968
Commission messages, emanating from Amendment 14 to Doc 7605 (PANS-MET). 9 January 1969
Amendment 6 Air Navigation Changes arising from Assembly Resolution A16-19 and Amendment 54 to 23 January 1969
Commission Annex 3. 18 September 1969
8/11/18
18/11/10
No. 33
(x) ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Approved
Amendment Source(s) Subject(s) Applicable
3rd Edition Air Navigation Study of NOTAM composition resulting in expanded use of abbreviations and 19 March 1971
(1971) Commission codes in NOTAM Class I; changes in abbreviations emanating from revised 6 January 1972
(includes aeronautical meteorological figure codes introduced by WMO; changes
Amendments 7 introduced as a result of clarification of air traffic control terms contained in
and 8) ICAO regulatory documents.
Amendment 9 Air Navigation Consequential changes emanating from Amendment 1 to the Tenth Edition of 24 March 1972
Commission Doc 4444 (PANS-RAC). 7 December 1972
Amendment 10 Air Navigation Consequential amendments to abbreviations and their significations (QFE and 21 March 1973
Commission; QNH); changes to meteorological abbreviations introduced by WMO. 16 August 1973
Third Meeting
of the Obstacle
Clearance Panel (1971)
Amendment 11 Air Navigation Addition of abbreviations RNAV and STAR; deletion of abbreviation SIA. 29 May 1973
Commission; 23 May 1974
Seventh Air
Navigation
Conference
(1972)
Amendment 12 Air Navigation Inclusion of additional abbreviations for use in the NOTAM Code. 11 December 1974
Commission 9 October 1975
Amendment 13 Air Navigation Additions, deletions and changes in significations of abbreviations mainly 8 December 1975
Commission; emanating from amendments to Annex 3. 12 August 1976
Eighth Air
Navigation
Conference (1974)
Amendment 14 Air Navigation Addition of abbreviations COP, INOP, MRP, RPS and WPT; change in 9 December 1977
Commission; signification of abbreviation ACP as a consequence of Amendment 30 to 10 August 1978
Ninth Air Annex 14.
Navigation Conference
(1976)
Amendment 15 Air Navigation Additions and changes in signification of abbreviations. 26 February 1979
Commission 29 November 1979
Amendment 16 Air Navigation Additions, deletions and changes in signification of abbreviations emanating 11 March 1981
Commission from a study of abbreviations in common use in States’ aeronautical 26 November 1981
information publications.
Amendment 17 Air Navigation Extensive amendment of abbreviations and codes emanating from a proposal 14 December 1981
Commission submitted by the United Kingdom. 9 June 1983
Amendment 18 Air Navigation Extensive addition of abbreviations and codes consequential to a study of the 11 June 1982
Commission revision of the NOTAM Code; addition of abbreviations used in 9 June 1983
Doc 8168 (PANS-OPS).
Amendment 19 Air Navigation Consequential changes emanating from Amendments 64 and 65 to 15 March 1985
Commission; Third Annex 3, Amendment 14 to Annex 5, Recommendations 1/5 and 3/1 of 21 November 1985
Meeting of the ATS ADAPT/3, and a new ITU method of designating radio emissions.
Data Acquisition,
Processing and Transfer
(ADAPT) Panel (1981)
10/11/16
Foreword (xi)
Approved
Amendment Source(s) Subject(s) Applicable
4th Edition Air Navigation Additions, changes and deletions of abbreviations and codes to reflect the 24 February 1989
(1989) (includes Commission current operational requirements and practices; introduction of new sections 16 November 1989
Amendment 20) for abbreviations used in radiotelephony in a spoken form (Decode, Encode)
and for the Procedure signals used in aeronautical telecommunication service
(Decode); consequential and editorial amendments.
Amendment 21 Air Navigation Additions, changes and deletions of abbreviations and codes to reflect the 2 December 1992
Commission; current operational requirements and practices; consequential amendments 1 July 1993
Communications/ arising from Amendment 69 to Annex 3, Amendment 13 to Annex 5,
Meteorology/ Amendment 39 to Annex 14, Amendment 27 to Annex 15 and Amendment 13
Operations to PANS-OPS.
(COM/MET/OPS)
Divisional Meeting
(1990)
5th Edition (1999) AIS/MAP Divisional Extensive amendments emanating from the AIS/MAP Divisional Meeting 26 February 1999
(includes Meeting (1998); (1998) and the Air Navigation Commission, including additions, changes and 4 November 1999
Amendment 23) Air Navigation deletions of abbreviations; addition and deletion of abbreviations and terms
Commission transmitted as spoken words; addition of abbreviations and terms transmitted
using the individual letters in non-phonetic form; addition of a NOTAM Code
for controller-pilot data link communications and automatic dependent
surveillance; deletion of Procedure Signals for use in the International
Aeronautical Telecommunication Service (Decode and Encode); deletion of
the Q-Code (Preface, Decode and Encode).
Amendment 24 Air Navigation Consequential changes emanating from Amendment 71 to Annex 3. 9 June 2000
Commission 2 November 2000
Amendment 25 Air Navigation Consequential changes emanating from Amendment 72 to Annex 3. 10 July 2002
Commission 28 November 2002
Amendment 26 Conclusion 40/51 b) of Consequential changes emanating from Amendment 32 to Annex 15. 23 July 2003
the European Air 27 November 2003
Navigation Planning
Group (EANPG) and
the Secretariat
Sixth Edition (2004) Global Navigation New abbreviations and updated specifications for the NOTAM Code related 6 May 2004
(includes Satellite System Panel to GNSS; and consequential changes emanating from Amendment 73 to 25 November 2004
Amendment 27) (GNSSP/4); MET Annex 3, Amendment 53 to Annex 4 and Amendments 13 and 12 to the
Divisional Meeting PANS-OPS, Volumes I and II, respectively.
(2002); Air Navigation
Commission
Seventh Edition Fourteenth Meeting of New abbreviations related to updated provisions in the PANS-OPS; the use of 3 August 2007
(2007) (includes the Obstacle Clearance ADS-B, ADS-C and RCP in the provision of air traffic services; consequential 22 November 2007
Amendment 28) Panel (OCP/14); Air changes emanating from Amendment 74 to Annex 3 and Amendment 34 to
Navigation Annex 15; and editorial amendments.
Commission; and the
Secretariat
18/11/10
(xii) ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Approved
Amendment Source(s) Subject(s) Applicable
Amendment 29 First working group of New abbreviations related to updated provisions in the PANS-OPS with 7 October 2008
the whole meeting of regard to the performance-based navigation (PBN) concept and ground-based 20 November 2008
the Instrument Flight augmentation system (GBAS) landing system.
Procedures Panel
(IFPP/WG/WHL/1);
Secretariat, with the
assistance of the
Required Navigation
Performance and
Special Operational
Requirements Study
Group (RNPSORSG),
concerning PBN
terminology
Eighth Edition Ninth meeting of the New abbreviations related to cockpit displays, unmanned aircraft, volcanic 23 July 2010
(2010) (includes Operations Panel ash information provided by volcanic ash advisory centres (VAAC), the 18 November 2010
Amendment 30) Working Group of the elimination of routine voice reports, completion of tropical cyclone advisories
Whole (OPSP/WG- in graphical format and the use of data link for meteorological information,
WHL/9); sixth meeting aerodrome observations and forecasts. Update of the NOTAM code.
of the Operations Panel
(OPSP/6); and the
Secretariat with the
assistance of the
Aeronautical
Information
Management Study
Group (AIS-AIMSG/1),
International Airways
Volcano Watch
Operations Group
(IAVWOPSG/4),
Meteorological
Warnings Study Group
(METWSG/2), and
Aerodrome
Meteorological
Observation and
Forecast Study Group
(AMOFSG/7).
Amendment 31 Seventh, eighth, ninth, Amendment concerning procedure design criteria and charting requirements 7 March 2014
tenth and eleventh to support helicopter point-in-space (PinS) approach and departure operations 13 November 2014
meetings of the
Instrument Flight
Procedures Panel
Working Group
of the Whole
(IFPP/WG WHL/7, 8,
9, 10 and 11)
10/11/16
Foreword (xiii)
Approved
Amendment Source(s) Subject(s) Applicable
Ninth Edition Fifty-fourth Meeting of Deletion of abbreviations not in common use; addition of new abbreviations 5 May 2016
(2016) (includes the European Air consistent with common use in NOTAM associated with PBN 10 November 2016
Amendment 32) Navigation Planning implementation, AIM transition, meteorological warnings, PBCS and
Group (EANPG/54); SATVOICE implementation; and consequential changes emanating from
Meteorology (MET) Amendment 77-A to Annex 3.
Divisional Meeting
(2014); fifth meeting of
the Meteorological
Warnings Study Group
(METWSG/5); second
meeting of the
Operational Data Link
Panel (OPLINKP/2);
and the Secretariat.
Amendment 33 Second meeting of the Amendment concerning provision of space weather information; and change 29 June 2018
Meteorology Panel of references concerning PANS-AIM. 8 November 2018
(METP/2); twelfth
meeting of the
Aeronautical
Information Services-
Aeronautical Information
Management Study
Group (AIS-AIMSG/12)
______________________
8/11/18
18/11/10
No. 33
ABBREVIATIONS
DECODE
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
1-1 10/11/16
1-2 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-3
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
1-4 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-5
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-6 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Decode 1-7
G/A Ground-to-air H
G/A/G Ground-to-air and air-to-ground
GAGAN† GPS and geostationary earth orbit H High pressure area or the centre of high
augmented navigation pressure
GAIN Airspeed or headwind gain H... Significant wave height (followed by
GAMET Area forecast for low-level flights figures in METAR/SPECI)
GARP GBAS azimuth reference point H24 Continuous day and night service
GBAS† (to be pronounced “GEE-BAS”) HA Holding/racetrack to an altitude
Ground-based augmentation HAPI Helicopter approach path indicator
system HBN Hazard beacon
GCA‡ Ground controlled approach system or HCH Heliport crossing height
ground controlled approach HDF High frequency direction-finding station
GEN General HDG Heading
GEO Geographic or true HEL Helicopter
GES Ground earth station HF Holding/racetrack to a fix
GLD Glider HF‡ High frequency [3 000 to 30 000 kHz]
GLONASS† (to be pronounced “GLO-NAS”) HGT Height or height above
Global navigation satellite system HJ Sunrise to sunset
GLS‡ GBAS landing system HLDG Holding
GMC . . . Ground movement chart (followed by HLP Heliport
name/title) HLS Helicopter landing site
GND Ground HM Holding/racetrack to a manual termination
GNDCK Ground check HN Sunset to sunrise
GNSS‡ Global navigation satellite system HNH High latitudes northern hemisphere
GOV Government HO Service available to meet operational
GP Glide path requirements
GPA Glide path angle HOL Holiday
GPIP Glide path intercept point HOSP Hospital aircraft
GPS‡ Global positioning system HPA Hectopascal
GPU Ground power unit HR Hours
GPWS‡ Ground proximity warning system HRP Heliport reference point
GR Hail HS Service available during hours of
GRAS† (to be pronounced “GRASS”) Ground- scheduled operations
based regional augmentation HSH High latitudes southern hemisphere
system HUD Head-up display
GRASS Grass landing area HUM Humanitarian
GRIB Processed meteorological data in the HURCN Hurricane
form of grid point values HVDF High and very high frequency direction-
expressed in binary form finding stations (at the same location)
(in meteorological code) HVY Heavy
GRVL Gravel HVY Heavy (used to indicate the intensity of weather
GS Ground speed phenomena, e.g. HVY RA = heavy rain)
GS Small hail and/or snow pellets HX No specific working hours
GUND Geoid undulation HYR Higher
HZ Haze
HZ Hertz (cycle per second)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-8 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-9
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-10 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
MNM Minimum N
MNPS Minimum navigation performance
specifications N No distinct tendency (in RVR during
MNT Monitor or monitoring or monitored previous 10 minutes)
MNTN Maintain N North or northern latitude
MOA Military operating area NADP Noise abatement departure procedure
MOC Minimum obstacle clearance (required) NASC† National AIS system centre
MOCA Minimum obstacle clearance altitude NAT North Atlantic
MOD Moderate (used to indicate the intensity of NAV Navigation
weather phenomena, interference or NAVAID Navigation aid
static reports, e.g. MODRA = NB Northbound
moderate rain) NBFR Not before
MON Above mountains NC No change
MON Monday NCD No cloud detected (used in automated
MOPS† Minimum operational performance METAR/SPECI)
standards NDB‡ Non-directional radio beacon
MOV Move or moving or movement NDV No directional variations available (used in
MPS Metres per second automated METAR/SPECI)
MRA Minimum reception altitude NE North-east
MRG Medium range NEB North-eastbound
MRP ATS/MET reporting point NEG No or negative or permission not granted
MS Minus or that is not correct
MSA Minimum sector altitude NGT Night
MSAS† (to be pronounced “EM-SAS”) Multi- NIL*† None or I have nothing to send to you
functional transport satellite (MTSAT) NM Nautical miles
satellite-based augmentation system NML Normal
MSAW Minimum safe altitude warning NN No name, unnamed
MSG Message NNE North-north-east
MSH Middle latitudes southern hemisphere NNW North-north-west
MSL Mean sea level NO No (negative) (to be used in AFS as a
MSR# Message . . . (transmission identification) procedure signal)
has been misrouted (to be used in AFS NOF International NOTAM office
as a procedure signal) NONSTD Non-standard
MSSR Monopulse secondary surveillance radar NOSIG† No significant change (used in trend-type
MT Mountain landing forecasts)
MTOM Maximum take-off mass NOTAM† Notice distributed by means of
MTU Metric units telecommunication containing
MTW Mountain waves information concerning the
MVDF Medium and very high frequency establishment, condition or change in
direction- finding stations (at the same any aeronautical facility, service,
location) procedure or hazard, the timely
MWO Meteorological watch office knowledge of which is essential to
MX Mixed type of ice formation (white and personnel concerned with flight
clear) operations
NOTAMC Cancelling NOTAM
NOTAMN New NOTAM
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Decode 1-11
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
1-12 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-13
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
1-14 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-15
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-16 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Decode 1-17
___________________
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
ABBREVIATIONS
ENCODE
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
1-19 10/11/16
1-20 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Encode 1-21
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
1-22 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
10/11/16
Abbreviations — Encode 1-23
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-24 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-25
Grass landing area GRASS High frequency [3 000 to 30 000 kHz] HF‡
Gravel GRVL High frequency direction-finding station HDF
Green G High latitudes northern hemisphere HNH
Ground GND High latitudes southern hemisphere HSH
Ground-based augmentation system High pressure area or the centre of high
(to be pronounced “GEE-BAS”) GBAS† pressure H
Ground-based regional augmentation Higher HYR
system (to be pronounced “GRASS”) GRAS† Holding HLDG
Ground check GNDCK Holding/racetrack to a fix HF
Ground controlled approach system or Holding/racetrack to a manual
ground controlled approach GCA‡ termination HM
Ground earth station GES Holding/racetrack to an altitude HA
Ground movement chart (followed by Holiday HOL
name/title) GMC . . . Hospital aircraft HOSP
Ground power unit GPU Hours HR
Ground proximity warning system GPWS‡ Humanitarian HUM
Ground speed GS Hurricane HURCN
Ground-to-air G/A
Ground-to-air and air-to-ground G/A/G
I
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
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No. 33
1-26 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-27
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-28 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-29
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-30 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-31
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-32 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Short (used to indicate the type of Special series NOTAM notifying the
approach desired or required) BRF presence or removal of hazardous
Short range SRG conditions due to snow, ice, slush or
Short take-off and landing STOL standing water associated with snow,
Shower (followed by RA = rain, SN = slush and ice on the movement area,
snow, PL = ice pellets, GR = hail, by means of a specific format SNOWTAM†
GS = small hail and/or snow pellets Speed limiting point SLP
or combinations thereof, e.g. showers Spot wind SPOT†
of rain and snow = SHRASN) SH . . . Squall SQ
Signal SGL Squall line SQL
Significant SIG Stand by SDBY
Significant wave height (followed by Standard STD
figures in METAR/SPECI) H... Standard deviation SD
Simple approach lighting system SALS Standard instrument arrival STAR†
Simultaneous or simultaneously SIMUL Standard instrument departure SID†
Single isolated wheel load SIWL Standard regional route transmitting
Single sideband SSB frequencies RUT
Slow SLW Standards and Recommended Practices
Small hail and/or snow pellets GS [ICAO] SARPS
Smoke FU Start of climb SOC
Snow SN State of the sea (followed by figures in
Snow grains SG METAR/SPECI) S...
South or southern latitude S Station STN
Southbound SB Stationary STNR
South-east SE Status STS
South-eastbound SEB Step down fix SDF
South-south-east SSE Stop-end (related to RVR) END
South-south-west SSW Stopway SWY
South-west SW Stopway light(s) STWL
South-westbound SWB Straight-in approach STA
Space weather SWX Stratiform STF
Space weather centre SWXC Stratocumulus SC
Special air-report (message type Stratus ST
designator) ARS Subject to SUBJ
Special position indicator SPI Sunday SUN
Special series NOTAM notifying by Sunrise SR
means of a specific format change in Sunrise to sunset HJ
activity of a volcano, a volcanic Sunset SS
eruption and/or volcanic ash cloud Sunset to sunrise HN
that is of significance to aircraft Super high frequency [3 000 to
operations ASHTAM 30 000 MHz] SHF
Supersonic transport SST
Supplement (AIP Supplement) SUP
Supplementary flight plan (message type
designator) SPL
Surface SFC
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-33
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
1-34 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
Abbreviations — Encode 1-35
___________________
___________________
† When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted as spoken words.
‡ When radiotelephony is used, the abbreviations and terms are transmitted using the individual letters in non-phonetic form.
* Signal is also available for use in communicating with stations of the maritime mobile service.
# Signal for use in the teletypewriter service only.
8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
ABBREVIATIONS FOR IDENTIFYING
AERONAUTICAL FIXED SERVICE (AFS) MESSAGES
ENCODE
___________________
2-1 10/11/16
ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS TO BE TRANSMITTED AS SPOKEN
WORDS WHEN USED IN RADIOTELEPHONY
DECODE
3-1 8/11/18
10/11/16
No. 33
3-2 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
RAIM Receiver autonomous integrity TACAN UHF tactical air navigation aid
monitoring TAF Aerodrome forecast (in meteorological
RASC Regional AIS system centre code)
RIME Rime (used in aerodrome warnings) TAIL Tail wind
RNAV (to be pronounced “AR-NAV”) Area TCAS RA (to be pronounced “TEE-CAS-AR-AY”)
navigation Traffic alert and collision avoidance
ROBEX Regional OPMET bulletin exchange system resolution advisory
(scheme) TEMPO Temporary or temporarily
TIBA Traffic information broadcast by aircraft
SATCOM Satellite communication (used only when TIL Until
referring generally to both voice and TOP Cloud top
data satellite communication or only TREND Trend forecast
data satellite communication) TSUNAMI Tsunami (used in aerodrome warnings)
SATVOICE Satellite voice communication T-VASIS (to be pronounced “TEE–VASIS”)
SBAS (to be prounounced “ESS-BAS”) T visual approach slope indicator
Satellite-based augmentation system system
SELCAL Selective calling system
SID Standard instrument departure VNAV (to be pronounced “VEE-NAV”) Vertical
SIGMET Information concerning en-route weather navigation
and other phenomena in the VOLMET Meteorological information for aircraft in
atmosphere that may affect the safety flight
of aircraft operations VORTAC VOR and TACAN combination
SNOWTAM Special series NOTAM notifying the
presence or removal of hazardous WAAS Wide area augmentation system
conditions due to snow, ice, slush or WILCO Will comply
standing water associated with snow,
slush and ice on the movement area,
by means of a specific format
___________________
10/11/16
ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS TO BE TRANSMITTED AS SPOKEN
WORDS WHEN USED IN RADIOTELEPHONY
ENCODE
Barometric vertical navigation (to be BARO-VNAV Lateral navigation (to be pronounced LNAV
pronounced “BAA-RO-VEE-NAV”) “EL-NAV”)
Local special meteorological report (in SPECIAL
Cloud base BASE abbreviated plain language)
Cloud top TOP LORAN (long range air navigation LORAN
Common ICAO data interchange CIDIN system)
network
Meteorological or meteorology MET
Data link automatic terminal D-ATIS Meteorological information for aircraft VOLMET
information service (to be in flight
pronounced “DEE-ATIS”) Minimum operational performance MOPS
Distress phase DETRESFA standards
Multi-functional transport satellite MSAS
Electronic flight instrument system EFIS (MTSAT) satellite-based
(to be pronounced “EE-FIS”) augmentation system
Emergency location beacon — aircraft ELBA (to be pronounced “EM-SAS”)
National AIS system centre NASC
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No. 33
3-4 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
None or I have nothing to send you NIL Special series NOTAM notifying the SNOWTAM
No significant change (used in trend- NOSIG presence or removal of hazardous
type landing forecasts) conditions due to snow, ice, slush or
Notice distributed by means of telecom- NOTAM standing water associated with
munication containing information snow, slush and ice on the
concerning the establishment, movement area, by means of a
conditions or change in any specific format
aeronautical facility, service, Spot wind SPOT
procedure or hazard, the timely Standard instrument arrival STAR
knowledge of which is essential to Standard instrument departure SID
personnel concerned with flight
operations Tail wind TAIL
Temporary or temporarily TEMPO
On-line data interchange OLDI Traffic alert and collision avoidance TCAS RA
Operational meteorological OPMET system resolution advisory (to be
(information) pronounced “TEE-CAS-AR-AY”)
Operations OPS Traffic information broadcast by TIBA
aircraft
Precision approach path indicator PAPI Trend forecast TREND
Probability PROB Tsunami (used in aerodrome warnings) TSUNAMI
T visual approach slope indicator T-VASIS
Receiver autonomous integrity RAIM system (to be pronounced “TEE–
monitoring VASIS”)
Regional AIS system centre RASC
Regional OPMET bulletin exchange ROBEX UHF tactical air navigation aid TACAN
(scheme) Uncertainty phase INCERFA
Rime (used in aerodrome warnings) RIME Until TIL
Satellite-based augmentation system (to SBAS Vertical navigation (to be pronounced VNAV
be pronounced “ESS-BAS”) “VEE-NAV”)
Satellite communication (used only SATCOM Visibility, cloud and present weather CAVOK
when referring generally to both better than prescribed values or
voice and data satellite conditions (to be pronounced
communication or only data ‘‘KAV-OH-KAY’’)
satellite communication) VOR and TACAN combination VORTAC
Satellite voice communication SATVOICE
Selective calling system SELCAL Wide area augmentation system WAAS
Will comply WILCO
___________________
10/11/16
ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS TO BE TRANSMITTED USING
THE INDIVIDUAL LETTERS IN NON-PHONETIC FORM
WHEN USED IN RADIOTELEPHONY
DECODE
ACC Area control centre or area control MLS Microwave landing system
ADF Automatic direction-finding equipment
ADS-B Automatic dependent surveillance — NDB Non-directional radio beacon
broadcast NOZ Normal operating zone
ADS-C Automatic dependent surveillance — NTZ No transgression zone
contract
AFTN Aeronautical fixed telecommunication PAR Precision approach radar
network PDC Pre-departure clearance
ATA Actual time of arrival PSR Primary surveillance radar
ATC Air traffic control (in general)
ATD Actual time of departure QDM Magnetic heading (zero wind)
QFE Atmospheric pressure at aerodrome
CB (to be pronounced “CEE BEE”) elevation (or at runway threshold)
Cumulonimbus QNH Altimeter sub-scale setting to obtain
CPDLC Controller-pilot data link communications elevation when on the ground
___________________
4-1 10/11/16
ABBREVIATIONS AND TERMS TO BE TRANSMITTED USING
THE INDIVIDUAL LETTERS IN NON-PHONETIC FORM
WHEN USED IN RADIOTELEPHONY
ENCODE
___________________
4-3 10/11/16
DESIGNATION OF TYPICAL RADIOCOMMUNICATION EMISSIONS
5-1 10/11/16
5-2 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Note.— For additional assistance, see ITU Radio Regulations, Appendix 1 and Recommendation ITU-R SM.1138.
___________________
10/11/16
SIGNAL REPORTING CODES
Introduction
1. A signal report shall consist of the code word SINPO or SINPFEMO followed by a five- or eight-figure group
respectively rating the five or eight characteristics of the signal code.
2. The letter X shall be used instead of a numeral for characteristics not rated.
3. Although the code word SINPFEMO is intended for telephony, either code word may be used for telegraphy or
telephony as may be desired.
S I N P O
Degrading effect of
Overall
Rating Signal Interference Noise Propagation readability
scale strength (QRM) (QRN) disturbance (QRK)
5 Excellent Nil Nil Nil Excellent
4 Good Slight Slight Slight Good
3 Fair Moderate Moderate Moderate Fair
2 Poor Severe Severe Severe Poor
1 Barely audible Extreme Extreme Extreme Unusable
S I N P F E M O
Degrading effect of Modulation
Rating Signal Interference Noise Propagation Frequency Overall
scale strength (QRM) (QRN) disturbance of fading Quality Depth rating
5 Excellent Nil Nil Nil Nil Excellent Maximum Excellent
4 Good Slight Slight Slight Slow Good Good Good
3 Fair Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Fair Fair Fair
2 Poor Severe Severe Severe Fast Poor Poor or Nil Poor
1 Barely audible Extreme Extreme Extreme Very fast Very poor Continuously Unusable
overmodulated
___________________
6-1 10/11/16
THE NOTAM CODE
PREFACE
(See 5.2.5.1.2 and Appendix 3 of the PANS-AIM.)
1. Introduction
The NOTAM Code is provided to enable the coding of information regarding the establishment, condition or change of radio
aids, aerodromes and lighting facilities, dangers to aircraft, or search and rescue facilities. The NOTAM Code is a
comprehensive description of information contained in NOTAM. It serves as an important criterion for storage and retrieval
of information, as well as for deciding whether an item is of operational significance or not. It also establishes the relevance
of the NOTAM to the various types of flight operations and determines whether it must therefore be part of a pre-flight
information bulletin. In addition, it assists in specifying those items which are subject to immediate notification processes.
The NOTAM Code also standardizes the presentation of the related plain-language text required at Item E) of the NOTAM
Format as contained in Appendix 3 of the PANS-AIM. Thus, the NOTAM Code is the basis for determination of the
qualifiers TRAFFIC, PURPOSE and SCOPE used in the Q (Qualifiers) line and the related text to appear in Item E) of the
NOTAM Format.
2. Procedures
The transmission of NOTAM over the international aeronautical telecommunication service is governed by the appropriate
sections of Annex 10, Volume II, Annex 15 and the PANS-AIM. The former contains information on the acceptability of and
priority to be accorded to NOTAM for transmission over the aeronautical fixed service (AFS), the latter full instructions on
the textual format and contents of NOTAM.
3. Composition
General
3.1 All NOTAM Code groups contain a total of five (5) letters. The first letter of the code group is always the letter Q
to indicate that it is a code abbreviation for use in the composition of NOTAM. The letter Q has been chosen to avoid conflict
with any assigned radio call sign.
3.2 The second and third letters identify the subject reported upon and the fourth and fifth letters denote its status of
operation. The code identifying the subject or denoting its status of operation is, whenever possible, self-evident. Where more
than one subject could be identified by the same self-evident code, the most important subject is chosen.
3.3 If the subject of the NOTAM is not listed in the NOTAM Code, insert “XX” as the second and third letters.
3.4 If the condition of the subject is not listed in the NOTAM Code, insert “XX” as the fourth and fifth letters.
3.5 When a NOTAM is issued containing a checklist of valid NOTAM, use KKKK as the second, third, fourth and fifth
letters. When a NOTAM containing operationally significant information is issued in accordance with Chapter 6 of Annex 15
and Chapter 6 of the PANS-AIM, and when it is used to announce the existence of AIRAC AIP amendments or supplements
(trigger NOTAM), insert “TT” as the fourth and fifth letters.
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No. 33
7-2 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
3.6 Facilities, services and other information which require coding have been classified by subject into sections and
subsections. The second letter of the code group, which may be any letter of the alphabet except Q, indicates the subject
subsections as follows:
AGA (Aerodromes)
Navigation Warnings
Other Information
3.7 The fourth letter of the code group, which may be any letter of the alphabet except Q, indicates status subsections
as follows:
A AVAILABILITY
C CHANGES
H HAZARD conditions
L LIMITATIONS
XX Other
10/11/16
The NOTAM Code — Preface 7-3
3.8 The following fourth and fifth letters of the NOTAM Code should be used in NOTAM cancellations:
AO: OPERATIONAL
CC: COMPLETED
The significations/approved uniform abbreviated phraseology assigned to NOTAM Code groups, as required for use in
Item E) of the NOTAM Format (PANS-AIM, Appendix 3), are to be amplified or completed where necessary by the addition
of appropriate location indicators, name of station, geographical coordinates, abbreviations, frequencies, call signs, figures
and plain language. ICAO abbreviations are to be used in preference to plain language wherever possible. In order to
facilitate the dissemination of NOTAM by reducing the transmission time over telecommunication channels, eliminate
translation and provide a suitable pre-flight information bulletin entry, the approved uniform abbreviated phraseology
assigned to each signification of a two-letter combination in the NOTAM Code — Decode part is to be used in preference to
significations wherever possible.
Note.— In addition, to meet certain requirements, a State may wish to provide a translation of the approved uniform
phraseology in another language.
5. Text in parentheses
The information necessary to complete a signification/uniform abbreviated phraseology, as indicated between parentheses,
shall be given as applicable.
a) amplifications relating to significations/uniform abbreviated phraseology of the second and third letters (subject of the
NOTAM) must precede signification/uniform abbreviated phraseology of the NOTAM Code;
b) amplifications relating to significations/uniform abbreviated phraseology of the fourth and fifth letters (status of
operation) must follow signification/uniform abbreviated phraseology of the NOTAM Code.
a) The touchdown zone lights of RWY 27 are not available due to power failure.
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10/11/16
No. 33
7-4 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
d) The minimum sector altitude in the sector 90° to 180° inbound VOR ident DOM changed to 3 600 ft MSL.
7.1 Five-letter NOTAM Code groups are to be used in conjunction with the NOTAM Format (Annex 15, 5.4.2.2 and
PANS-AIM, 5.2.5.1.1 and Appendix 3). They also constitute the basis for determination of the qualifiers Traffic, Purpose and
Scope. Both NOTAM Code groups and NOTAM qualifiers are to be inserted in the Q (Qualifiers) line of the NOTAM
Format.
Note.— The most commonly used NOTAM Code groups and their respective relation with the qualifiers Traffic, Purpose
and Scope are presented in the NOTAM Selection Criteria tables (Doc 8126 — Aeronautical Information Services Manual,
Appendix B to Chapter 6).
7.2 Five-letter NOTAM Code groups are formed in the following manner:
FIRST LETTER
The appropriate combination of two letters selected from the Second and Third Letters section of the NOTAM Code to
identify the facility, service or danger to aircraft being reported upon. (See 3.3, 3.5 and 3.6.)
The appropriate combination of two letters selected from the Fourth and Fifth Letters section of the NOTAM Code to
denote the status of operation of the facility, service or danger to aircraft reported upon. (See 3.4, 3.5 and 3.7.)
Examples
Note.— In the examples of NOTAM below, the letters Q to G inclusive, each followed by a closing parenthesis, identify
an item in the NOTAM Format (PANS-AIM, Appendix 3).
a) The distance measuring equipment (DME), at Paris/Orly, will not be available from the 31st day of March 1992 at
2359 UTC until the 1st day of April 1992 at 0600 UTC.
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No. 33
The NOTAM Code — Preface 7-5
NOTAM:
Q) LFFF/QNDAU/IV/BO/AE/ . . .
A) LFPO B) 9203312359 C) 9204010600
E) DME NOT AVBL
Meaning of NOTAM:
Item Q):
— LFFF: ICAO location indicator identifying Paris FIR in which the facility reported on is located;
— QNDAU: The letter “Q” identifies the five-letter code group as the NOTAM Code group. Second and third letters
“ND” identifying “distance measuring equipment” and fourth and fifth letters “AU” denoting that the facility is “not
available”;
— IV: Letters identifying that the information affects both IFR and VFR traffic;
— BO: Letters identifying that NOTAM is selected for pre-flight information bulletins entry and that it is operationally
significant information for IFR flights;
— AE: Letters identifying that facility is serving a dual purpose as terminal and en-route aid.
Item A):
— LFPO: ICAO location indicator identifying Paris/Orly, the location of the facility being reported on.
Item B):
— 9203312359: Date/time group of the beginning of the period of validity in which the facility is not available.
Item C):
— 9204010600: Date/time group of the end of the period of validity in which the facility is not available.
Item E):
b) With immediate effect, the VHF omnidirectional radio range on frequency 116.9 MHz at New York/La Guardia will be
out of service until approximately the 13th day of November 1992 at 0900 UTC.
NOTAM:
Q) KZWY/QNVAS/IV/BO/AE/ . . .
A) KLGA B) 9211020615 C) 9211130900 EST
E) 116.9 MHZ VOR U/S
Note.— In the above example, the amplification (i.e. VOR frequency 116.9 MHz) relating to the second and third letters
precedes the NOTAM Code signification.
10/11/16
7-6 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
NOTAM:
Q) ESOS/QMRLV/V/NB/A/ . . .
A) ESSB B) 9210221430 C) PERM
E) RWY 30 CLSD TO VFR OPS
d) The VHF omnidirectional radio range on frequency 116.30 MHz station VOZICE in PRAHA FIR will be out of service
from the 10th day of November 1992 at 0800 UTC until the 13th day of November 1992 at 0900 UTC.
NOTAM:
Q) LKAA/QNVAS/IV/BO/E/ . . .
A) LKAA B) 9211100800 C) 9211130900
E) VOZ 116.30 MHZ VOR U/S
Note.— In the above example, the amplification (i.e. station identification VOZ and VOR frequency 116.30 MHz)
relating to the second and third letters precedes the NOTAM Code signification.
e) In the Montreal FIR, gun firing will take place on the 21st day of February 1993 from 0800 UTC until 1100 UTC within
an area of 10 NM radius around the location 45°37´ North, 74°00´ West from the surface up to an altitude of 6 100 m
(20 000 ft) MSL.
NOTAM:
Q) CZUL/QWMLW/IV/BO/W/000/200/4537N07400W010
A) CZUL B) 9302210800 C) 9302211100
E) GUN FRNG WILL TAKE PLACE RADIUS 10 NM AROUND 4537N07400W
F) SFC G) 6100 M (20000 FT) MSL
___________________
10/11/16
THE NOTAM CODE — DECODE
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
AGA
Lighting facilities (L)
AGA
Movement and landing area (M)
7-7 10/11/16
7-8 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
AGA
Facilities and services (F)
FA Aerodrome ad
FB Friction measuring device (specify type) friction measuring device
FC Ceiling measurement equipment ceiling measurement eqpt
FD Docking system (specify AGNIS, BOLDS, etc.) dckg system
FE Oxygen (specify type) oxygen
FF Firefighting and rescue fire and rescue
FG Ground movement control gnd mov ctl
FH Helicopter alighting area/platform hel alighting area
FI Aircraft de-icing (specify) acft de-ice
FJ Oils (specify type) oil
FL Landing direction indicator ldi
FM Meteorological service (specify type) met
FO Fog dispersal system fg dispersal
FP Heliport heliport
FS Snow removal equipment sn removal eqpt
FT Transmissometer (specify runway and, where applicable, designator(s) of transmissometer
transmissometer(s))
FU Fuel availability fuel avbl
FW Wind direction indicator wdi
FZ Customs/immigration cust/immigration
ATM
Airspace organization (A)
10/11/16
The NOTAM Code — Decode 7-9
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
ATM
Air traffic and VOLMET services (S)
ATM
Air traffic procedures (P)
CNS
Communications and surveillance facilities (C)
10/11/16
7-10 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
CNS
Instrument and microwave landing systems (I)
CNS
GNSS services (G)
CNS
Terminal and en-route navigation facilities (N)
10/11/16
The NOTAM Code — Decode 7-11
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
Navigation Warnings
Airspace restrictions (R)
Navigation Warnings
Warnings (W)
10/11/16
THE NOTAM CODE — DECODE
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
Availability (A)
Changes (C)
CA Activated act
CC Completed cmpl
CD Deactivated deactivated
CE Erected erected
CF Operating frequency(ies) changed to opr freq changed to
CG Downgraded to downgraded to
CH Changed changed
CI Identification or radio call sign changed to ident/rdo call sign changed to
CL Realigned realigned
CM Displaced displaced
CN Cancelled cnl
CO Operating opr
CP Operating on reduced power opr reduced pwr
CR Temporarily replaced by tempo rplcd by
CS Installed instl
CT On test, do not use on test, do not use
10/11/16 7-12
The NOTAM Code — Decode 7-13
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
HA Braking action is . . .
1) Poor
2) Medium/Poor
3) Medium
4) Medium/Good
5) Good ba is...
HB Friction coefficient is . . . (specify friction measuring device used) friction coefficient is
HC Covered by compacted snow to a depth of cov compacted sn depth
HD Covered by dry snow to a depth of cov dry sn depth
HE Covered by water to a depth of cov water depth
HF Totally free of snow and ice free of sn and ice
HG Grass cutting in progress grass cutting inpr
HH Hazard due to (specify) hazard due
HI Covered by ice cov ice
HJ Launch planned . . . (specify balloon flight identification or project code launch plan
name, launch site, planned period of launch(es) — date/time, expected
climb direction, estimated time to pass 18 000 m (60 000 ft), or reaching
cruise level if at or below 18 000 m (60 000 ft), together with estimated
location)
HK Bird migration in progress (specify direction) bird migration inpr
HL Snow clearance completed sn clr cmpl
HM Marked by marked by
HN Covered by wet snow or slush to a depth of cov wet sn/slush depth
HO Obscured by snow obscured by sn
HP Snow clearance in progress sn clr inpr
HQ Operation cancelled . . . (specify balloon flight identification or project code opr cnl
name)
HR Standing water standing water
HS Sanding in progress sanding inpr
HT Approach according to signal area only apch according signal
HU Launch in progress . . . (specify balloon flight identification or project code launch inpr
name, launch site, date/time of launch(es), estimated time passing
18 000 m (60 000 ft), or reaching cruising level if at or below 18 000 m
(60 000 ft), together with estimated location, estimated date/time of
termination of the flight and planned location of ground contact, when
applicable)
HV Work completed work cmpl
HW Work in progress wip
HX Concentration of birds bird concentration
HY Snow banks exist (specify height) sn banks hgt
HZ Covered by frozen ruts and ridges cov frozen ruts and ridges
18/11/10
7-14 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
Uniform abbreviated
Code Signification phraseology
Limitations (L)
Other (XX)
XX Plain language
___________________
10/11/16
THE NOTAM CODE — ENCODE
7-15 10/11/16
7-16 ICAO Abbreviations and Codes (PANS-ABC)
18/11/10
The NOTAM Code — Encode 7-17
___________________
10/11/16
THE NOTAM CODE — ENCODE
10/11/16 7-18
The NOTAM Code — Encode 7-19
— END —
10/11/16