EUROPEAN ORGANISATION
FOR THE SAFETY OF AIR NAVIGATION
EUROCONTROL
NOTAM templates
proposals
for volcanic ash events
Edition Number
:
0.3
Edition Date
:
27 April 2012
Status
:
Working Draft
Intended for
:
NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
DOCUMENT CHARACTERISTICS
TITLE
NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
Publications Reference:
ISBN Number:
Edition Number: 0.3.
Document Identifier
Edition Date: 27 April 20122
Abstract
Authors
Contact(s) Person
Tel
Asa Standar
+ 32 2 729 3186
Unit
DSR/CMN/IM
STATUS, AUDIENCE AND ACCESSIBILITY
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Accessible via
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General Public
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Intranet
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Draft
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CND Stakeholders
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Internet (www.eurocontrol.int)
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Electronic copies of this document can be downloaded from :
Edition: 0.3
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
DOCUMENT CHANGE RECORD
The following table records the complete history of the successive editions of the present
document.
EDITION
EDITION
NUMBER
DATE
0.1
22 Feb 2011
REASON FOR CHANGE
First working draft for review
PAGES AFFECTED
All
Definitions included, restructuring of
0.2
21 Apr 2011
sections, revised NOTAM codes and
Pg 7 -- 13
content, editorial changes
Revised NOTAM content, editorial changes,
0.3
27 April 2012
insertion of NOTAM template for on-ground
All
volcanic ash on reported on runway
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
Contents
DOCUMENT CHARACTERISTICS ............................................................................. 1
DOCUMENT CHANGE RECORD ............................................................................... 2
SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 4
CHAPTER 1 – Introduction ....................................................................................... 5
1.1
1.2
1.3
Purpose of document.................................................................................................5
Validation of NOTAM templates ................................................................................5
References ................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 2 – NOTAM Templates ............................................................................ 7
2.1
General ......................................................................................................................7
2.1.1 Structure of NOTAM content ........................................................................7
2.1.2
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
Navigation warnings – Warnings (W) ........................................................................7
2.2.1 Type of operational impact/event ..................................................................7
2.2.2
Structure of information.................................................................................8
2.2.3
NOTAM examples.........................................................................................8
Navigation warnings - Airspace restrictions(R)..........................................................9
2.3.1 Type of operational impact/event ..................................................................9
2.3.2
Structure of information.................................................................................9
2.3.3
NOTAM examples.......................................................................................10
Aerodrome/heliport closure .....................................................................................11
2.4.1 Type of operational impact/event ................................................................11
2.4.2
Structure of information...............................................................................11
2.4.3
NOTAM examples.......................................................................................11
Restrictions on route portions/flight levels ...............................................................11
2.5.1 Type of operational impact/event ................................................................11
2.5.2
Structure of information...............................................................................12
2.5.3
NOTAM examples.......................................................................................12
NOTAM reporting on-ground volcanic ash on the movement area .........................12
2.6.1 Type of operational impact .........................................................................12
2.6.2
Edition: 0.3
Filling instructions and NOTAM codes ..........................................................7
NOTAM examples.......................................................................................13
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
SUMMARY
This document provides draft proposals of NOTAM templates related to the operational
impact and limited access of airspace and routes affected by volcanic ash, with reference to
the action agreed by the AISAIM Study Group/3 (Action agreed 9/3 Aeronautical information
dissemination related to volcanic ash.
The templates are developed with the purpose to create harmonisation in management of
NOTAM messages related to a volcano eruption, where enhancement in ICAO guidance
material for NOTAM creation was proposed to the Study Group.
The templates are providing a structured order of the information that shall be inserted in
item E). The structure of the free text will create a harmonised output of the NOTAM,
improving the readability of the message and processing of the data by the end user.
The proposed structure is taking into account the on-going progress in the digital NOTAM
developments, following the digital NOTAM Event Specification as developed by the
dedicated Focus Group.
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
CHAPTER 1 – Introduction
1.1
Purpose of document
As a consequence of the lessons learned by the European States AIS organisations
regarding the need for harmonisation in management of NOTAM related to a volcano
eruption events, the ICAO AISAIM Study group proposed that the ICAO guidance material be
enhanced to include examples of a series of NOTAM related to the operational impact and
limited access of airspace and routes affected by volcanic ash. The templates are intended
to assist States in expediting the process of originating and issuing NOTAM for the different
of the volcanic activity.
This document provides draft proposals of a series of NOTAM, for consideration by the
AISAIM Study Group.
The NOTAM templates covers the following subjects:





airspace warnings
airspace restrictions
aerodrome/heliport closure
route portion restriction/flight levels
on-ground volcanic ash on the movement area
The document provides guidance to originators and publishers of NOTAM in how to structure
free text for the above mentioned areas, in order to enhance the usabiltiy of the aeronautical
information by the end users. The guidance provides for the full range of NOTAM required for
warnings of the expected or potential volcanic activity and restrictions on airspace, airports
and en route operations as a result of volcanic activity, including recommended NOTAM
codes.
The templates are as closely as possible based on the structured data format of the digital
NOTAM specification and defined event scenarios, by which the information can be provided
in a digital format (AIXM) suitable for automated computer processing.
1.2
Validation of NOTAM templates
The NOTAM templates created for navigation warnings and temporary airspace restrictions
in the previous version (v02) of the document were included in the exercise directives of the
ICAO EUR/NAT Volcanic Exercise VOLCEX 11-01, 13-14 April 2011. Dissemination and
reception of volcanic ash related NOTAM were part of the exercise objectives to ensure that
NOTAM was issued in accordance with the provided templates by the participating States’
NOTAM Offices. Taking into account the evaluation of the effectiveness of the NOTAM
issued during the exercise, the templates are updated in this version. Updates are also made
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
to reflect the terminology used by the International Volcanic Ash Task Force (IVATF) in the
delivery “ATM Volcanic Ash Contingency Plan Template”, for areas of contamination and
phases of an volcanic event.
1.3
References

ICAO Annex 15

ICAO Doc 8126 AIS Manual

ICAO Doc 9426 Air Traffic Services Planning Manual

EUROCONTROL Operating Procedures for AIS Dynamic Data (OPADD)

ICAO Volcanic Ash Contingency Plan - EUR 019/NAT 006

Digital NOTAM Event Specification v 0.7

Volcanic Ash NOTAM Templates NATS UK

ICAO Doc 9766 Airways Volcano Watch Handbook

ICAO Doc 9691 Manual on Volcanic Ash, Radioactive Material and Toxic Chemical
Clouds

International Volcanic Task Force/3-PPT/04 Attachment –ATM01
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
CHAPTER 2 –NOTAM Templates
2.1
General
2.1.1
Structure of NOTAM content
For each subject a short description is followed describing for which situation the examples
can be used. It follows by a description of the structure of the NOTAM text, providing the
sequence of the free text information to be inserted in item E). The structure follows as
closely as possible the information elements that are defined for a dedicated digital NOTAM
event scenario.
2.1.2
Filling instructions and NOTAM codes
The NOTAM examples include some instructions in completion of the qualifier line, the
recommended NOTAM code and instruction in how to describe a published airspace in item
E).
2.2
Navigation warnings – Warnings (W)
2.2.1
Type of operational impact/event
These templates apply for the issuance of navigation warnings for volcanic activity providing
as precise information as is available regarding the activity, for the pre-eruption, start of
eruption, ongoing eruption and recovery phases.
The examples cover elements such as the name and geographical position of the volcano,
alert code indicating the activity, the horizontal extend and base/top of reported ash cloud of
operationally significance, forecast direction of movement of the ash cloud and any
operationally significant information additional to the foregoing.
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
2.2.2
Structure of information
The examples follow as closely as possible the structure of the digital NOTAM event
scenario Ad-hoc special activity area used for the establishment of a new restricted, danger,
prohibited area or navigation warning, which does not exist as published airspace:
activity type – (alert phase or alert code)-volcano note (name of volcano, number,
geographical position) - airspace type – airspace activity/reason – geometry (horizontal) –
vertical limits (lower/upper) – note(s);
Future development of the digital NOTAM event specification may include a separate event
template for the pre-eruptive and start of eruption phases.
2.2.3
2.2.3.1
NOTAM examples
Pre-eruptive volcanic activity
Q) BIRD/QWWLW*/IV/NBO/W/000/999/6337N01901Wxxx**
A) BIRD B) 1002260830 C) 1002261100
E) PRE-ERUPTIVE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY VOLCANO KATLA 1702-03 ICELAND-S 6337.5N
01901.5W, POSSIBLY INDICATING IMMENTENT ERUPTION WITHIN AREA AS
FOLLOWS: CIRCLE WITH CENTRE 6337N 01901W AND RADIUS OF XXXNM***
VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD IS EXPECTED TO REACH FL500 FEW MINUTES FROM START
OF ERUPTION. AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED TO FLIGHT PLAN TO REMAIN CLEAR OF
AREA AND MAINTAIN WATCH FOR NOTAM/SIGMET
F) GND G) UNL
*) Recommended NOTAM code: QWWLW “Significant volcanic activity will take
place…(specify)”.
**) A radius shall be included in the qualifier line in a way that encompasses the total area of
influence of the NOTAM.
***) XXX is a distance established by the Provider State and shall correspond to the radius in
the qualifier line.
2.2.3.2
Start of eruption or ongoing eruption of volcanic activity
Q) BIRD/QWWLW/IV/NBO/W/000/500/6337N01901Wxxx
A) BIRD B) 1002261000 C) 1002261300
VOLCANIC ERUPTION CONFIRMED IN VOLCANO KATLA 17-2-03 ICELAND-S 6337.5N
01901.5W WITHIN AREA AS FOLLOWS: CIRCLE WITH CENTRE 6337N 01901W AND
RADIUS OF XXXNM. VOLCANO ASH CLOUD IS EXPECTED TO REACH FL500.
AIRCRAFT ARE ADVISED TO REMAIN AT LEAST XXXNM CLEAR OF VOLCANO AND
MAINTAIN WATCH FOR NOTAM/SIGMET FOR BIRD AREA
F) GND G) FL500
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2.2.3.3
Reporting on areas of volcanic ash contamination
Q) EIAA/QWWLW/IV/NBO/W /000/200/xxxxNxxxxxE (orW)/xxx*)
A)EIAA B) 1005190700 C) 1005191300
E) VOLCANIC ASH CONTAMINATION AREA AS FOLLOWS: 5243N 00853W - 5330N
00618W - 5150N 00829W - 5243N 00853W**) MOVING EAST
F)SFC G) FL200
*) The geographical reference (coordinates lat/long) shall represent the approximate centre
of a circle whose radius encompasses the whole area of influence. A radius shall be included
in a way that encompasses the total area of influence of the NOTAM.
**) Definition of the area should be done by radius/circle or coordinates only. Definition of
airspace by the use of geographical or administrative features such as State borders, rivers,
sea shores etc) is not supported by the digital NOTAM event scenario and is therefore not
recommended. If operational necessary, this can be defined by providing a simplified
polygon larger than the area and excluding a neighbouring FIR, for example.
Coordinates defining the lateral limits of the area (polygon) should be enumerated in
clockwise order, each point separated by space-hyphen-space. The last and the first points
of the list shall be the same.
2.2.3.4
Recovery phase
NOTAMC shall be issued cancelling the active NOTAM and a new NOTAM (NOTAMN) shall
be promulgated to update the situation for volcanic ash as soon as the volcano has reverted
to its pre-eruptive status, no further eruptions are expected and no ash cloud is detectable or
reported from the FIR concerned.
2.3
Navigation warnings - Airspace restrictions(R)
2.3.1
Type of operational impact/event
These templates apply for established temporary airspace restrictions for areas affected by
volcanic activity:
a)
temporary airspace restrictions for the volcanic eruption response phases,
b)
temporary airspace restrictions based on volcanic ash contamination areas spread
and movement
2.3.2
Structure of information
The examples follow the structure of the digital NOTAM event scenario Ad-hoc special
activity area used for the establishment of a new restricted, danger, prohibited area or
navigation warning, which does not exist as published (static data) airspace:
airspace type – activity/reason – location note (ex. name of volcano) – geometry
(horizontal/vertical) – note(s);
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
2.3.3
2.3.3.1
NOTAM examples
Temporary airspace restriction for confirmed volcanic eruption
Q) BIRD/QRTCA*/IV/NBO/W/000/500/6337N01901Wxxx**
A) BIRD B) 1103260800 C) 1103261200
E) TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA*** ESTABLISHED DUE TO SIGNIFICANT
VOLCANIC ACTIVITY VOLCANO KATLA 1702-03 ICELAND-S (6337.5N 01901.5W) AS
FOLLOWS: CIRCLE WITH CENTRE 6337N 01901W AND RADIUS OF XXXNM****
VOLCANIC ASH CLOUD REPORTED REACHING FL500. AIRCRAFT ARE REQUIRED TO
REMAIN CLEAR OF AREA AND MAINTAIN WATCH FOR SIGMET FOR AREA
F) SFC G) FL500
*) Recommended NOTAM code: QRTCA “Temporary restricted area activated”, QRDCA
“Danger area activated” and QRPCA “ Prohibited area activated”, based on States decision
on established restriction.
**) A radius shall be included in the qualifier line in a way that encompasses the total area of
influence of the NOTAM.
***)” Temporary Danger Area” and “Temporary Prohibited Area” can also be inserted, based
on States decision on established restriction”
****) XXX is a distance established by the Provider State and shall correspond to the radius
in the qualifier line
2.3.3.2
Temporary airspace restrictions for areas of volcanic ash contamination
Q) EGGN/QRTCA/IV/NBO/W/000/350/xxxxNxxxxxW (or E)xxx*
A)EGPX B)1005182300 C)1005190500
E) TEMPORARY RESTRICTED AREA ESTABLISHED FOR VOLCANIC ASH AREA OF
CONTAMINATION AS FOLLOWS: 5812N 00611W - 5718N 00216W - 5552N 00426W 5629N 00652W - 5812N 00611W**)
F)SFC G) FL350
Q) BIRD/QRDCA/IV/NBO/W/000/250/xxxxNxxxxxW(orE)xxx*
A) BIRD B) 1011301214 C) 1011301814
E) TEMPORARY DANGER AREA ESTABLISHED FOR VOLCANIC ASH AREA OF
CONTAMINATION AS FOLLOWS:
7134N 00843W - 7134N 00801W - 6931N 00508W - 6606N 00732W - 6208N 01334W 6254N 01419W - 6823N 00925W - 7134N 00843W**)
F)SFC G)FL250
*) The geographical reference (coordinates lat/long) shall represent the approximate centre
of a circle whose radius encompasses the whole area of influence. A radius shall be included
in a way that encompasses the total area of influence of the NOTAM.
**) Definition of the area should be done by radius/circle or coordinates only. Definition of
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airspace by the use of geographical or administrative features such as State borders, rivers,
sea shores etc) is not supported by the digital NOTAM event scenario and is therefore not
recommended. If operational necessary, this can be defined by providing a simplified
polygon larger than the area and excluding a neighbouring FIR, for example.
Coordinates defining the lateral limits of the area (polygon) should be enumerated in
clockwise order, each point separated by space-hyphen-space. The last and the first points
of the list shall be the same.
2.4
Aerodrome/heliport closure
2.4.1
Type of operational impact/event
These templates cover the event of a temporary closure of an airport/heliport. The closure
can be total (any traffic is forbidden) or partial (with the exception of particular operations,
flight or aircraft categories).
2.4.2
Structure of information
The proposed structure of data items in the examples follow the digital NOTAM event
scenario Airport/Heliport closure:
designator - operational status - forbidden operation - permitted operation – reason - start
closure - end closure – note(s)
2.4.3
2.4.3.1
NOTAM examples
Aerodrome/Heliport closed for all traffic
Q) EFIN/QFALC/IV/NBO/A/000/999/6455N01252E010
A) EFOU B) 1012151600 C) 1012151900EST
E) AD*) CLOSED DUE TO VOLCANIC ASH CONTAMINATION. FOR INFO CALL +
35885207700
*) If the designator concerns a heliport, the word “HELIPORT” shall be included.
2.5
Restrictions on route portions/flight levels
2.5.1
Type of operational impact/event
These templates cover the event of a temporary closure of one or more route portions (could
be on different routes) due to a common cause, such as the activation of a temporary
restricted area.
If more than one route portion is concerned, the eventual vertical layers and schedules
specified by the data originator are assumed to apply identically to all route portions (routes);
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
if one route portion has different layers or schedules, it shall be considered a separate event
and a separate NOTAM shall be issued.
2.5.2
Structure of information
The proposed structure of data items in the examples follow the digital NOTAM event
scenario Route portion closure:
route availability - route designator - start point - end point - direction - lower level - upper
level - start time - end time - schedule - reason - note(s)
:
2.5.3
2.5.3.1
NOTAM examples
Area Navigation (RNAV) routes portion closure with vertical layer
Q) ENOR/QANLC/I/NBO/E/285/400/6230N00300E085
A)ENOR B) 1004151200 C) 1004151400EST
E) RNAV ROUTE SEGMENTS CLSD
UM 996 ISVIG – VIGRA DVOR/DME (VIG)
UL727 ISVIG – FLORO DVOR/DME (FLO)
UP607 INGAL – FLORO DVOR/DME (FLO)
FROM FL285 TO FL400
DUE TO VOLCANIC ASH AREA OF CONTAMINATION
2.5.3.2
ATS route *) portion closure with vertical layer
Q) LFFF/QARLC/IV/NBO/E/200/400/4920N0015E060
A)LFFF B) 1011030800 C) 1011031000EST
E) ATS ROUTE SEGMENTS CLSD UL612 XAMAB – RESMI DUE TO VOLCANIC ASH
AREA OF CONTAMINATION.
*)The second and third NOTAM code letters AR apply for conventional ATS routes,
TACAN routes and routes other than Area Navigation routes.
2.6
NOTAM reporting on-ground volcanic ash on the
movement area
2.6.1
Type of operational impact
This template covers the event where volcanic ash is reported as a contaminant on the
movement area and may be a hazard for flight operations.
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NOTAM templates proposals for volcanic ash events
2.6.2
NOTAM examples
Q) PAZA/QMRHH*)/IV/NBO/A/000/999/6110N14959W005
A) PANC
B) 1307141500
C) 1307151500EST
E) RWY 07L/25R COVERED BY 10 MM VOLCANIC ASH
*) Recommended NOTAM code: QMRHH “Runway (specify runway) hazard due to…” or
QMRXX.
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