Don’t Ignore NOTAMS

Elaine Kauh

Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 04:57 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

Thorough pre-flight planning is crucial, including meticulous NOTAM review to understand how inoperative components affect approach minimums and to select appropriate alternates.
Pilots must be prepared for dynamic in-flight weather changes and be proactive in decision-making, including the willingness to execute a missed approach early.
Effective and proactive communication with Air Traffic Control regarding intentions (e.g., potential circling, holding, or weather avoidance) can significantly reduce workload and improve safety during challenging approaches.

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When conditions are down to 200-½, the search for approaches and alternates with better weather can take some time. Options are few on a day like this, even if you’re comfortable flying down to mins. And even when finally selecting the airport and backup, you’ve gotta check the NOTAMs for the airports, airspace and procedures—and probably dig up the NOTAM-to-English dictionary, or its closest FAA equivalent.

OTS is U/S