Notice to Airmen: Check all NOTAMs

COPA recently became aware that Transport Canada and NAV CANADA made changes to the Canadian NOTAM Procedures Manual, which details the format and content of NOTAMs. We understand the changes were made to be compliant with ICAO and to eliminate some perceived problems with NOTAM procedures.
The Manual is not a normal reference document for pilots (it can be found at www.navcanada.ca/ ContentDefinitionFiles/Publications/NOTAM/NOTAM_Manual_en.pdf), so our concern is that two of the changes in particular may affect the way we use or NOTAMs or assumptions pilots may make about where information is located and under what circumstances NOTAMs are issued.
We brought our concern to the attention of NAV CANADA. Until the situation is rectified, including proper educational material released to pilots, make sure that you check all NOTAM files before you fly and check the condition of runways before you land because there may not be NOTAMs issued about work in progress. Read on for more detail. The first change involves where airspace-related NOTAMs are located. NOTAMs are divided into one of three classifications: Headquarters – for NOTAMs that are of a national nature; Flight Information Region (FIR) – for airspace-related NOTAMs; and Aerodrome – for issues at or near an aerodrome.
It is common knowledge that a NOTAM will appear for a particular aerodrome if there is and issue within 25 miles of the aerodrome. Until now, airspace NOTAMs appeared in both the FIR and aerodrome files if the restriction was within 25 miles of an aerodrome. It was decided to eliminate this duplication by removing airspace NOTAMs from the aerodrome file. Even though pilots should check all NOTAM files before flight, many do not always do so, particularly when they will be on a local flight, assuming that the aerodrome file will contain all NOTAMs that are within 25 miles. Be aware this is no longer the case. Due to COPA’s intervention, this decision is now under review but in the meantime please note the change.
The second change involves work-in-progress (WIP) NOTAMs. These NOTAMs are issued by aerodrome operators to indicate the landing surface, although either still available or not available for very short durations, has something happening on or near it such as snow clearing or lighting repairs. Apparently, Transport Canada feels that pilots may have been lulled into complacency from expecting that NOTAMs will be issued anytime there is a temporary change in runway condition, so they decided to eliminate work-in-progress NOTAMs. They also felt pilots should always check runways to ensure that they are safe for use, so eliminating WIP NOTAMs should not have a negative effect. While this may be true, there are economic, safety and liability implications from this change.
For example, when someone changes a runway edge light bulb, the change to the Manual leaves aerodrome operators with only two options: close the runway entirely or leave it open and hope that pilots will see the problem. Apart from whether or not it was wise to introduce this change, pilots have not been informed about the change and this has introduced a safety issue that may be even greater than the perceived one that is supposedly solved.
COPA has voiced our concerns to NAV CANADA and they responded by agreeing that these changes will be reviewed and an education package will be developed, although to date they have not decided on which media they will use. The change for airspace-related NOTAMs remains in place but they have decided to reinstate the WIP NOTAMs while the situation is reviewed with Transport Canada. In the meantime, the revised NOTAM manual remains in effect, leaving potential confusion on the part of some aerodrome operators and many pilots unaware of the situation.
If you use NAV CANADA’s flight planning website, make sure that you check all three of the NOTAM files carefully or ask your flight service briefer to check all files. When you arrive at your destination, especially at uncontrolled airports, be extra careful to check the status of the landing area.
Do not assume that it is clear just because there is no WIP NOTAM in effect. Contact Kevin Psutka.