NOTAM format (military activity) rant

[Mak]

I picked this up on the NOTAM for my route today. I also saw similar ones in the past. I quote:

"TLP MISSION. UP TO 32 FAST JET ACFT WILL CONDUCT HIGH ENERGY MANOEUVRES WI 5322N 00130W 5338N 00030E 5328N 00230E 5237N 00253E 5213N00235E 5213N 00022W ORIGIN AND 5230N 00151E 5230N 00247E 5130N 00200E 5107N 00200E 5100N 00127E 5045N 00127E 5006N 00000E 5037N 00040W 5045N 00030W 5041N 00030E 5052N 00100E 5110N 00130E 5125N 00130E 5130N 00110E 5155N 00130E 5200N 00139E ORIGIN. ACFT WILL REMAIN CLEAR OF REGULATED AIRSPACE BUT MAY BE UNABLE TO COMPLY WITH RULES OF AIR. CONTACT 0032 7168 1515."

If whoever wrote this is reading, would it not make more sense to mention roughly where this is in English (i.e. closeby airfields or large tows)?

Of course we can check the coordinates one by one but that takes 1/2 hour to do carefully and chances are few will bother. Not me of course...

Not trying to start a flame but though might be worth mentioning.

Mak

[tmmorris]

I've thought that many times; but I'm not sure how they could do it really; the named positions would be approximate and potentially misleading. What I usually do with these is plot a couple of the points and if they seem to be nearby I plot them all to find out; I agree it's time-consuming.

Does Notamplot draw these on for you?

Tim

[stillin1]

The problem Mak is that this NOTAM, quite understandably, covers a large area. Lat and Long coordinates are at least accurate. Anything else would be less so. A little work = a lot safer airborne:cool:

[PPRuNe Radar]

A lot of it is over the sea as well ... not many towns to reference it to ;)

[LondonJ]

I'm still relatively new to this game but as I understand it the only reason why weather, Notams etc. are in this abbreviated format is because they used to be faxed through. Given we are in the days of computers now can't they just plot the points on a map of the UK and if it seems you are going near the area then you can read the exact poisition from the NOTAM. I seem to remember that Farnbourough fo something like this during the airshow when the actual zones they create are quite complex when written on the NOTAM.

[jabberwok]

Fax is a bit modern.. :)

The Daily Nav Warning Summary used to come through by Telex (AFTN) each night around 1800. In many FBU's the data was then plotted on the Danger Area chart in chinagraph. Pilots could see at a glance what was relevant or not..

Given that the format hasn't changed in almost 40 years I agree it could do with updating. There are probably FBU's that still plot this data manually whilst others will leave the info on a clip for pilots to read.

There is no technological reason why this data cannot be available in graphic format these days. Lack of forward vision or resources is much more the likely cause..

JB

[bar shaker]

Does Notamplot draw these on for you?

Yes, Notamplot gave a very good illustration for this one. North sea, from The Wash, out 50 miles (?) and down to the Thames off Foulness.

Everyone who posts on here has internet access, are some still not using Notamplot?

Is it the small charity donation that is putting you off?

Or is wading through 33 pages of fax, over the kippers, an enjoyable experience?

Ian won an award for Notamplot and has effectively given it to us, so that we are safer. A free gift to PPLs. Similarly, Avbrief have given free access for Notamplot users.

I am very surprised that people aren't using it and are plotting what they have judged to be relevant, from said 33 pages.


Notamplot website (http://www.notamplot.flyer.co.uk/)

[El Quiso Grande]

MAK...

A little clue for you why you find it hard to translate the Notam into english... Look at the origionators phone number... there's the clue,

'CONTACT 0032 7168 1515.' dont think thats in England! It'll be belgium then!

Its a little like trying to ask the Russians to change their language to suit you. Unfortunately they won't so you will have to get use to the notam format and if its done by the belgians.... Heaven help us all!!

Fail to plan... Plan to fail!!

[LondonJ]

I must have been off school the day we got told about Notamplot it is fantastic system, hats off to the programmer.:ok: