Idiots guide to using NATS Notam site?

[liam548]

Does one exist? I can find the info I need hoever I am sure I am not doing it correctly.

Can someone explain in a step by step guide how to use the NATS site for, say a typical VFR x-country flight?

There are route briefs, aerodrome briefs, FIR briefs etc etc

[chrisN]

See: Welcome to the British Gliding Association and then down the page,

“the BGA has produced a guide (click here to view/download) ”
Though aimed at glider pilots, it is, I think equally valid for VFR power.

Chris N. (A co-author of the guide)

[oversteer]

Signup is free. Then, after logging in, go to NOTAM

then you probably want the VFR FIR BRIEF - EGTT (unless you are in Scotland, then I think you want the EGPX one?)

Now the page loads up all relevant NOTAMs, first section is aerodromes, read any that you might use, fly over, near etc

After that you get to the "En route" and "Nav warnings" sections. These are ordered north->south, so once you've worked out how to decode the lat/long of the NOTAM, you can quickly eliminate large sections that you won't be flying in

More on decoding NOTAMs:
NOTAM DECODE

If you are relying on a printed list in the clubhouse etc. always make sure it is today's briefing!



I hope Haverfordwest completes its hospital soon.

[liam548]

Thanks for the replies. I look forward to flying to Haverfordwest sometimes in the future!

[dont overfil]

I like the narrow route brief but you will still get a fair bit of unnecessary stuff.
DO.

[liam548]

Originally Posted by dont overfil

I like the narrow route brief but you will still get a fair bit of unnecessary stuff.
DO.

This seems to be the obvious option, put your departure and destination in and any other waypoints and it brings the route up and relevant NOTAMs.


I wondered if there were any other options for obtaining the relevant notams for your route, possibly from other sources?

i.e uploading your route/ altitude, waypoints etc and it giving you a personal brief?

[AliB]

put your departure and destination in and any other waypoints

It is the "any other way-points" that is the problem - the NOTAM site only accepts flight plan style routes which is not exactly user friendly. You cannot, for example, enter another airfield as a way-point (or can you anyone?).

Narrow route is still my preferred method though - I use VORs etc near to my route and then just widen the width as necessary to make sure I get the necessary coverage.

[Deeday]

NOTAMs on Google Maps

There's a nifty little Google Maps application here http://tinyurl.com/uk-notams, which graphically displays all the NOTAMmed areas.
Obviously it's NOT the official source of the information, and should always be cross-checked with the NATS website.

[1800ed]

I use Avbrief for my flight planning. I'm not sure if you specifically wanted to use NATS but Avbrief is pretty good if you're having trouble with the former.

[MFC_Fly]

There is also NotamPlot available free from NotamPlot v2 - you also need a free Avbrief account in order to download the NOTAM data.

This software will download the latest NOTAMs and plots them on a map of the UK. You can then simply click on the map and see full details of the NOTAMs or select them from a full text list (this also gives you access to those NOTAMs that can not be plotted). The lists are split into Enroute and Airfield NOTAMs and the software can also download and list airfield information (runways, frequencies, etc) and weathers (TAFs and METARs).

[IO540]

For years I've been using the NATS site for notams, using the narrow route briefing, and the only time I found it time consuming was when there was some airshow TRA whose coordinates had to be plotted by hand - but in those case there is usually an AIC with a picture in it.

One just needs to skip over all the earth shattering garbage like squadron commander hooton allocating unverified SSR codes

[TractorBoy]

There's a nifty little Google Maps application here http://tinyurl.com/uk-notams, which graphically displays all the NOTAMmed areas.
Obviously it's NOT the official source of the information, and should always be cross-checked with the NATS website.

Haven't seen that before - thats really good !!

[Fake Sealion]

Also.....don't forget to call the NATS hotline EVERY TIME you go flying.

0500 354 802 its FREE ! (from landlines)

This is particularly important during the Summer as most airshow and specifically Red Arrows restricted airspace info is given.

[IO540]

don't forget to call the NATS hotline EVERY TIME you go flying.

Surely you are kidding? Getting an internet briefing must be enough. Think of aviation internationally - nobody flying into the UK from abroad is going to be calling some phone number, even if they can call 0500 from where they are. If somebody is putting vital info on a phone number but not on the notam website, they must be mad. They may as well write it on the side of a cow and publish its GPS coordinates...

[Sky blue and black]

Have you read the user guide which can be downloaded from the homepage?

[Fake Sealion]

If you look again at my post it starts with the word - Also. ie in addition to the internet brief which is the subject of the thread.

I get the impression the thread starter Liam548 is newish to flying and seeking advice?

If you don't believe its sound advice for him to make a free call and listen for a minute or two before going off on a VFR navex - thats up to you my friend.

[cats_five]

There is also the SPINE software, again aimed at glider pilots but again suitable for all VFR flight. It will show a plot of the NOTAMs - obviously you must double-check as all these graphical interfaces seem capable of missing the occasional NOTAM but it helps.

Spine

Also all the various software-based solutions I know of have had occasional glitches when the format they are downloading has altered, another reason for needing to be able to do it using the NATS website.

Personally I think it's high time there was an official, guaranteed graphical interface. IMHO seeing is far easier than reading in this case.

[liam548]

Originally Posted by Fake Sealion

If you look again at my post it starts with the word - Also. ie in addition to the internet brief which is the subject of the thread.

I get the impression the thread starter Liam548 is newish to flying and seeking advice?

If you don't believe its sound advice for him to make a free call and listen for a minute or two before going off on a VFR navex - thats up to you my friend.

New ish yeah. I just want to find easier ways of doing things as I am sure they exist. And some useful pointers are now on this thread. googlemaps and avbrief for example and the phone number is now noted as well.
Thats the whole point of the forum, to discuss things and for me to maybe pick up some shortcuts from other pilots.

And as for "Personally I think it's high time there was an official, guaranteed graphical interface. IMHO seeing is far easier than reading in this case"


I totally agree.

Thanks.

[Miroku]

The google map application is brilliant. Many thanks.

[liam548]

Originally Posted by Deeday

There's a nifty little Google Maps application here http://tinyurl.com/uk-notams, which graphically displays all the NOTAMmed areas.
Obviously it's NOT the official source of the information, and should always be cross-checked with the NATS website.

Had a play around on the link, its excellent. NATS need to launch something similar to this.