How to Check NOTAMs Before a UK Drone Flight

What Is a NOTAM?

A NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions, formerly Notice to Airmen) is an official notice issued by aviation authorities to alert pilots of potential hazards or changes along a flight route or at a specific location. NOTAMs cover temporary airspace restrictions, military exercises, obstacles, aerodrome closures, and other factors that may affect flight safety.

While NOTAMs were originally designed for manned aviation, they are equally relevant to drone pilots. The CAA expects remote pilots to be aware of any airspace restrictions that may affect their operations.

Where to Check NOTAMs

• NATS AIS website — provides a searchable NOTAM briefing system where you can filter by area and altitude
• Drone Assist app (by Altitude Angel, endorsed by NATS) — displays NOTAM information overlaid on a map, filtered for drone-relevant altitudes
• CAA Drone and Model Aircraft Registration service — links to relevant airspace tools
• SkyWise and other commercial briefing tools — some integrate NOTAM data with weather and airspace information

Types of NOTAMs That Affect Drone Pilots

Temporary Danger Areas (TDAs)

TDAs are established for specific events such as military exercises, air shows, or emergency operations. They temporarily restrict all aviation activity within a defined area and altitude. If a TDA is active over your planned flying site, you must not fly there.

Temporary Restricted Areas (TRAs)

TRAs impose conditions on flight within a defined area. Some may permit drone operations with specific restrictions; others may prohibit them entirely. Always read the full text of the NOTAM to understand what is and is not permitted.

Royal and VIP Flights

NOTAMs are issued for Royal flights and certain VIP movements. These typically create temporary restrictions along the flight path and around the departure and arrival points. The restrictions apply to all aircraft, including drones.

Military Exercises

The Ministry of Defence conducts exercises that may temporarily restrict airspace at low level. These are particularly relevant to drone pilots because they often affect altitudes below 120 metres (400 feet) AGL.

Obstacle and Construction NOTAMs

Temporary obstacles such as cranes, tall structures under construction, or temporary masts may be notified by NOTAM. These are relevant if you are flying near construction sites or industrial areas.

How to Read a NOTAM

NOTAMs follow a standardised format using ICAO Q-codes. Key fields include:

• A) Location — the affected aerodrome or area (ICAO code)
• B) and C) Validity — start and end date/time in UTC
• D) Schedule — specific times when the NOTAM is active (if not continuous)
• E) Plain text — a human-readable description of the restriction
• F) and G) Altitude limits — lower and upper limits of the restriction

Focus on the E) field first — it tells you in plain language what is happening. Then check the altitude limits (F and G) to see whether the restriction affects drone operating altitudes (surface to 400 feet / 120 metres).

Practical NOTAM Checking Routine

• Check NOTAMs on the day of your flight — they can be issued at short notice
• Filter by your area of operation and altitudes from surface to 500 feet (to allow a safety margin above 400 feet)
• Cross-reference with your chosen airspace map or app
• If a NOTAM restricts your planned area, do not attempt to fly there — find an alternative location or postpone
• Re-check shortly before departure, as NOTAMs can be issued, amended or cancelled at any time