AINsight: Notams Are Wall of Text and Bunch of Garbage | Aviation International News

AINsight: Notams Are Wall of Text and Bunch of Garbage

Human-factors can improve the dissemination of information.

Notams alerts pilots to potential hazards such as runway closures, navaid outages, or other items that affect flight safety, but are written in a string of confusing codes made up of alphanumeric characters that defy most common human factors conventions for presentation and readability. (Photo: USAF/Senior Airman Zachary Cacicia)

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

October 26, 2018

Artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and machine learning are showing up everywhere in aviation, except in the cockpit and briefing rooms where pilots need it most. Instead, to gather critical information about a flight, pilots rely on tools and technology that are better suited for teletype machines or dot matrix printers. Today, most flight crews rely on a “wall of text” for weather briefings, Notams, and other information; this hasn’t changed in decades.

The origin of the Notam dates back to 1947. This notice alerts pilots to potential hazards such as runway closures, navaid outages, or other items that affect flight safety.

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Stuart “Kipp” Lau

Contributor - Safety

About the author

Pilot, safety expert, consultant, and aviation journalist Stuart “Kipp” Lau writes about flight safety and airmanship for AIN.

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