Document
OAS-25A (4/18)
Interagency Aviation
Accident Prevention Bulletin
No. IA APB 22-05 Date: July 14, 2022 Page 1of 2 Subject: Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) NOTAMs Area of Concern: Flight Safety Distribution: All Aviation Operations Discussion : With the integration of UAS in the National Airspace System, UAS operations and capabilities are expanding and could be present in the wildland fire flighting environment. UAS Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) are becoming more prevalent and should be used to heighten our level of situational awareness of defined UAS areas of operation. Extreme caution should be exercised in these known environments as UAS operations could coincide with the Fire Traffic Areas.
UAS NOTAMs can be found textually at: Defense Internet NOTAM Service ( faa.gov ) or Federal Aviation Administration: NOTAM Search ( faa.gov ). For better situational awareness, UAS NOTAMs (also referred to as DROTAMs, sUAS NOTAMs, and UAS Operating Areas or UOA) are depicted on flight planning services like SkyVector or Foreflight. Generally, the UAS NOTAM will provide effective dates and altitudes.
Figure 1 . UAS NOTAM or DROTAM depicted in purple in SkyVector. The UAS NOTAM shows an effective time of 6/27 to 8/31 from the Surface to 150 feet above ground level. Notice the lack of contact phone number or frequency.
No. IA APB 22-05 July 14, 2022 Page 2 of 2 SkyVector.com displays UAS NOTAMs (called DROTAMs in their application) by selecting “show DROTAMs” at the top of the page.
Foreflight depicts UAS NOTAMS as well, but they are not distinguished by any different visual indication, and they look the same as any other NOTAM.
As always, to get the most current briefing before a flight you can call the FSS at 1-800-WX-BRIEF (1–800–992–7433).
Presently, frequencies and/or telephone contact information are not provided for UAS NOTAMs as they are with conventional NOTAMs. To obtain the NOTAM originators telephone number for airspace deconfliction, please call the Flight Service Operations Center (FSOC) 703-724-7552 or 703- 439-9790 .
Recommendations: • Always exercise extreme caution in and around UAS operations.
• Pilots should always obtain all NOTAMS, including UAS NOTAMs for the anticipated flight route prior to launching.
• Call the FSOC to obtain the telephone number of the NOTAM originator to ensure airspace deconfliction. On rare occasions the FSOC may not be able to provide the NOTAM originators contact information.
• Have ground resources verify no UAS activity is occurring prior to sending aircraft.
• If an Initial Attack occurs at the same time/location or area as a UAS NOTAM, consider implementing a Temporary Flight Restriction.
• Consider a Memorandum of Understanding with DoD partners that define roles, responsibilities, and notification procedures for UAS operations.
While our desire is to be good stewards of the National Airspace System by being strategic with the use of TFRs, protecting our aviators by separating nonparticipating aircraft will always take precedence.
/s/ John Mills /s/ Lori Clark John Mills Lori Clark Acting Chief, Aviation Safety, Program Branch Chief - Aviation Safety Management Evaluation, and Quality Management Systems DOI, Office of Aviation Services USDA, Forest Service