> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canadava.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# NOTAMs

> Learn how Virtual Air Canada uses NOTAMs to communicate route changes, fleet updates, and operational notices to pilots.

## What are NOTAMs?

<Tooltip tip="Notice to Air Missions" cta="See glossary" href="/aops/additional-resources/glossary/notam">NOTAMs</Tooltip> are notices that alert pilots to important changes or information relevant to their flights. In real-world aviation, they are issued by authorities like NAV CANADA and the FAA. At Virtual Air Canada, we use the same concept - but our NOTAMs serve a different purpose.

## Virtual Air Canada NOTAMs

NOTAMs posted in the Pilot Portal are **operational notices from Virtual Air Canada staff**. Unlike real-world NOTAMs, they are not safety-of-flight warnings - they are communications about changes and updates to our virtual airline operations.

VA NOTAMs typically cover:

* **Route changes** - new routes added, seasonal routes activated or suspended, route removals
* **Fleet updates** - new aircraft added to the fleet, livery changes, aircraft retirements
* **Event announcements** - group flights, fly-in events, special operations
* **Schedule changes** - timetable adjustments, hub changes, codeshare updates
* **System maintenance** - planned downtime for the Pilot Portal, ACARS updates
* **Policy updates** - changes to operational procedures or scoring rules

<Info>
  VA NOTAMs are operational - they tell you what's changed in the airline, not whether a runway is closed. Always check them before flying so you're aware of any updates that may affect your next flight.
</Info>

### Checking NOTAMs in the Pilot Portal

<Steps>
  <Step title="Log in to the Pilot Portal">
    Access the [Pilot Portal](https://app.neoairline.io/portal/aca-cee46b174bfe) and log in with your credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to NOTAMs">
    Go to the [NOTAMs page](https://vamsys.io/phoenix/notams) to view all active notices.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review before flying">
    Check for any NOTAMs that may affect your planned departure or arrival airports before booking and flying your next flight.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Real-World NOTAMs

In the real world, NOTAMs are issued by aviation authorities to warn pilots of hazards and changes along their route - things like runway closures, navaid outages, airspace restrictions, and temporary flight restrictions. These are safety-critical and mandatory for real-world pre-flight planning.

For pilots who want to incorporate real-world NOTAMs into their flight planning for added realism, the following official sources provide current NOTAM data:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="NAV CANADA NOTAMs" icon="leaf-maple" href="https://www.notams.navcanada.ca/">
    Official Canadian NOTAM system. As a Virtual Air Canada pilot, this is your primary source for NOTAMs at Canadian airports and within Canadian airspace.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FAA NOTAM Search" icon="flag-usa" href="https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/">
    The FAA's NOTAM search tool for US airports and airspace. Useful for transborder flights to and from the United States.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Tip>
  Checking real-world NOTAMs is completely optional but adds realism to your flights. When flying international routes, check NOTAMs for both your departure and arrival countries.
</Tip>

## Need Help?

If you have questions about NOTAMs or flight planning, our operations team is available to assist.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Discord Community" icon="discord" href="https://links.canadava.com/kgNgqfb" cta="Join Discord" arrow={true}>
    Get answers to your questions in our active Discord community
  </Card>

  <Card title="Email Support" icon="envelope" href="mailto:support@canadava.com" cta="Contact Us" arrow={true}>
    Contact our support team for personalized assistance
  </Card>
</CardGroup>