eNotams Launched by FAA

As of April 20, a computer has been generating digital notices to airmen (NOTAMs) for Atlantic City (NJ) International Airport (KACY). The technical innovation, set to expand to several other airports soon, is said to offer numerous advantages over human-generated notams, according to FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt. For example, notams may now be transmitted to all air traffic management systems simultaneously, enabling pilots and dispatchers instant access to information on airport conditions such as construction and other hazards. Babbitt said, "This is yet another step the FAA is taking to modernize the national airspace system." Among the other advantages, an airport operator will input the notam directly in the new digital format. With traditional notams, the generator of the information had to relay the text to a specialist who would manually type it in; using all uppercase lettering and incorporating contractions and non-standard phrasing based on antiquated teletype systems. Expect digital notams coming next at the following airports: Washington Dulles; Washington Reagan National; Baltimore-Washington International; Richmond and Norfolk Airports, Virginia; Chicago O'Hare and Chicago Midway; Fairbanks, Alaska; and Fort Wayne, Indiana.