What a CFI Wants You to Know: Always Check NOTAMs

NOTAM ignorance does not excuse you from being responsible for their contents.

Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at 12:53 PM ET

Verified

NOTAMs can cover everything from ramp closures and navaids out of service to TFRs for VIPS. [Screenshot Courtesy of FAA.gov]

Key Takeaways:

Pilots are legally required by FAR 91.103 to check Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) before every flight to be aware of Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
Violating a Presidential TFR will lead to military interception by NORAD F-16s and subsequent investigation by the FAA and Secret Service, with ignorance of the TFR being no excuse.
The pilot in command is solely responsible for TFR compliance, and complacency in checking NOTAMs, even in familiar airspace, can lead to violations.

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“Everyone gets one. I hope you never need to use it.”

These were my words as I handed out the kneeboard-sized pamphlet on NORAD intercept procedures to my private pilot ground school. The pamphlets—which are also available as a PDF that can be uploaded to a tablet—outline the procedures a pilot should follow in the event they are intercepted by military jets—ostensibly for violating a temporary flight restriction put in place to protect the President of the United States.