When do you HAVE to produce a NOTAM
 

We're looking at having a fly-in next year, and my understanding is that a NOTAM is professional (and nice to see!), but is not a legal requirement. We've asked for them to be issued in the past on that basis, no problems.

BUT, someone is now telling me that it's a legal requirement. We're doing it anyway, but I'd be interested to know. The example given was kite-flying (their experience), so (in the UK for ease) is there a minimum height AGL (for any activity) over which you must ask for a NOTAM to be promulgated?

Intrigued!

For any activity over 60m agl I would suggest.
Having said that, an Air Navigation Obstruction is one which is 300ft agl or more.
NOTAMs are basically for temporary amendments to information which is contained in the AIP, so if you think about it, if any airfield is not notified in the AIP but suddenly experiences intense activity, it should be NOTAMed.

its just the now usual nonsense in the UK that you have to do something or notify someone before doing something perfectly legal.

I have been told by SB in the past that its a legal requirement to submit a VFR flight plan for every flight. That got a stiff ignoring!

Hi Chevvron,

Thanks. Do you know where I can move forward from 'suggest' and 'should'?

Hi Tescoapp, who is/are SB?

Special Branch.

I guessed that as well and then abandoned as the idea of Special Branch advising on when VFR flight plans should be filed was too ridiculous!

Hence "Special"? :}

Does your airfield have an ICAO Location Indicator because if it does, you can submit directly to AIS who will issue a Series E NOTAM.
If not you will have to submit a request to AUS with the lat and Long of the site requesting a Series E NOTAM.

But when is a notam REQUIRED? Two planes? 10? 30?

There must be guidance or even rules somewhere?

Most local fly-ins I've gone to were not notamed.

Why must there?

...because otherwise there would be far fewer. I think.

Balloon releases, for example. It must be laid down somewhere that it's either recommended or required (and why).

So let me get this straight. You have a legally established airfield. And you have to get a NOTAM if you actually want to use it. Good grief.

Our event is not at an airfield - if that changes anything?

But, even at an established (small) airport, if you do an event and expect 1000 planes (for example), NOTAM required?

Sam, can't help with the should / suggest question, we hold a kite festival at Dunstable and as may be flying kites above 60m agl we apply for a Notam

My understanding is that temporary or permanent changes or additions to the information in the AIP require a NOTAM. Information regarding anything that may affect the safety, regularity or efficiency of aircraft navigation may be advised by NOTAM.

It doesn't hurt to pass the information and leave it to the AIS to decide whether a NOTAM is appropriate.

I know of occasions where they have chosen not to act on advice of a flour bombing and balloon bursting competition at a local fly-in.

Sounds ˋGermanˋ.

there is zero legal requirement for a notam because you are carrying out normal aviation activity's for an airfield.

if there is something special in anyway away from the AIP then a notice is sensible and required to alert airman to the difference form normal operations.

If there is no change to normal AIP operations there is no need for a NOtam.

In any case 90% of the people turning up won't read it anyway if flying fixed wing GA and 100% of microlights won't read it.

Where does the 60m figure come from?

Seriously? In the UK? I'd have thought you'd be doing pretty well to get 20. MAYBE Oshkosh and Sun'n'Fun get this kind of number, but I'm pretty sure nothing else does. Even in the US - with a much higher pilot density - a normal local fly in might get 20 or 30 aircraft.