What is the primary purpose of NOTAMs?

• A. NOTAMs provide weather forecasts for the next 72 hours.
• B. NOTAMs notify of temporary hazards or changes; pilots adjust routing, altitudes, or procedures accordingly.
• C. NOTAMs list maintenance schedules for fleets.
• D. NOTAMs are used to file flight plans automatically.

Answer: (B)

NOTAMs are notices that deliver timely, temporary information about hazards or changes that can affect flight operations, so pilots can adjust routing, altitudes, or procedures accordingly. They cover things like runway or taxiway closures, outages of navigation aids, new or revised airspace restrictions, construction or obstacles, and other temporary changes that could impact how a flight is planned and executed. They are not weather forecasts, not maintenance schedules for fleets, and not a tool for automatically filing flight plans. Before takeoff and during a flight, pilots consult NOTAMs to stay aware of any evolving conditions and make the necessary adjustments. For example, a NOTAM about a temporary runway closure would lead a pilot to choose a different runway or approach procedure and possibly alter altitude or speed planning to maintain safety.