FAA Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)Flight Planning and PerformanceHard
A dispatcher needs to verify whether a temporary runway closure has been published for a towered airport. This type of NOTAM, covering airport facility conditions such as runway or taxiway closures and obstructions, is normally classified as which type of NOTAM?
- AFDC NOTAM
- BMilitary NOTAM
- CPointer NOTAM
- DNOTAM (D)
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. NOTAM (D)
NOTAM (D) (Distant) items are distributed via the National Airspace System and cover airport and facility conditions such as runway/taxiway closures, lighting outages, and obstructions. FDC NOTAMs, by contrast, cover regulatory items like amended instrument approach procedures, TFRs, and changes to charts.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. FDC NOTAMs cover regulatory/procedural changes (e.g., approach minimums, TFRs), not routine airport facility closures.
- B. Military NOTAMs pertain to military airports/facilities, not civil towered airport runway closures generally.
- C. A 'Pointer NOTAM' is not a standard FAA NOTAM classification used for this purpose.
NOTAM Classification
NOTAMs are categorized by type based on content: NOTAM (D) covers airport/facility conditions; FDC NOTAMs cover regulatory and procedural changes.
- NOTAM (D): runway/taxiway closures, lighting, obstructions
- FDC NOTAM: TFRs, approach procedure amendments, chart changes
- Both are distributed through the NOTAM system but serve different purposes
Memory trick: D is for the Dirt on the runway — facility stuff; FDC is for the Federal rules.