FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Navigation and AirspaceHard
A CFI is explaining the difference between NOTAM (D) and FDC NOTAMs to a student pilot. Which statement best describes a NOTAM (D)?
- AA regulatory NOTAM affecting flight data such as TFRs and instrument procedure amendments
- BA NOTAM published only within the Chart Supplement
- CA nationally disseminated NOTAM containing information such as taxiway closures, airport lighting outages, and obstruction data
- DA locally issued NOTAM available only from the originating flight service station
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A nationally disseminated NOTAM containing information such as taxiway closures, airport lighting outages, and obstruction data
NOTAM (D), or 'Distant' NOTAM, is disseminated nationally and includes information about airport and navigational facility conditions such as taxiway/runway closures, lighting outages, and obstructions—unlike FDC NOTAMs, which are regulatory in nature (e.g., TFRs, chart or procedure amendments).
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This describes an FDC NOTAM, not a NOTAM (D).
- B. NOTAM (D) is distributed through the NOTAM system, not solely the Chart Supplement.
- D. NOTAM (D) information is distributed nationally, not restricted to a single FSS.
NOTAM (D) vs FDC NOTAM
NOTAM (D) provides operational data like closures and outages distributed nationally; FDC NOTAMs are regulatory, covering TFRs and procedure changes.
- NOTAM (D) = distant, nationally distributed
- Covers taxiway/runway closures, lighting, obstructions
- FDC NOTAMs are regulatory (TFRs, amended procedures, chart changes)
Memory trick: 'D is for Details on the field, FDC is for Flight rules Changed'