What is the purpose of NOTAMs?

The purpose of NOTAMs, or Notices to Airmen, is primarily to provide essential information about changes in the status of airports and airspace. This includes a wide range of critical information that could affect flight operations, such as runway closures, lighting outages, changes to airspace usage, and other temporary conditions that pilots need to be aware of for safe flight planning and operations.

By disseminating this information, NOTAMs play a crucial role in maintaining safety and situational awareness in aviation. They keep pilots informed about any unexpected changes that could impact their flight paths or the operational status of the airports they are using. Consequently, NOTAMs are an integral component of flight planning and safety management within the aviation system.