A NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) is an official message that informs pilots about temporary situations that may affect flight safety: construction work, restrictions, events, activated or deactivated zones. For drone (UAS) pilots in Romania, a NOTAM is not "just for airplanes" — many NOTAMs explicitly include restrictions relevant to unmanned aircraft operations.

Simple definition: what a NOTAM communicates

A NOTAM typically describes:

  • The geographic area affected (coordinates, radius, altitude)
  • The validity period (from / until)
  • The reason for the restriction (military exercises, VIP movements, construction, events)
  • Conditions or exceptions, if any

Unlike permanent UAS zones published by ROMATSA, a NOTAM can appear overnight and temporarily cancel a flight that was legally planned yesterday.

Why NOTAMs are critical for drones

European regulation (EU Regulation 2019/947) and the national framework require UAS operators to carry out pre-flight checks. NOTAM verification is part of this process, alongside:

  • UAS geographical zones (geo-zones)
  • required authorisations or clearances (MoD/MApN, AACR)
  • weather conditions and local risks

Ignoring an active NOTAM can lead to illegal operation, equipment confiscation, or fines — even if the area is normally permitted.

Where to find NOTAMs for Romania

Official sources include:

  1. PIB / NOTAM published by ROMATSA — the national aeronautical information flow
  2. ROMATSA UAS map — layers that include NOTAM restrictions for UAVs
  3. Drone Log — aggregates UAS zones and relevant NOTAMs on the pre-flight verification map

Practical recommendation: do not rely on an old screenshot. Check NOTAMs on the day of the flight, as close to takeoff as possible.

How to read a NOTAM (briefly)

When analysing a NOTAM:

  1. Confirm whether your flight point or planned trajectory intersects the zone
  2. Check the time window — some NOTAMs are active for only a few hours
  3. Note the altitude — for drones, even flying at 120 m can be affected
  4. If there is uncertainty, postpone the flight or contact the competent authority

For details on integrating NOTAM checks into your routine, see how to verify flight restrictions.

NOTAM vs permanent UAS zones

| Aspect | NOTAM | UAS zones (geo-zones) | |--------|-------|------------------------| | Duration | Temporary | Usually permanent or long-term | | Updates | Can appear daily | Periodic updates | | Source | ROMATSA / NOTAM series | Restricted UAV zone catalogue |

Both must be checked. A flight that looks "clear" on the UAS map can still be blocked by an active NOTAM.

Quick pre-flight checklist

  • [ ] I checked NOTAMs for the planned date and time
  • [ ] I compared them with ROMATSA UAS zones
  • [ ] I documented the check (logbook / pre-flight report)
  • [ ] I have a plan B if a last-minute NOTAM appears

Conclusion

A NOTAM is a safety tool, not pointless bureaucracy. For drone pilots in Romania, understanding and checking NOTAMs makes the difference between a legal flight and one with legal and safety risks. Use the Drone Log map or ROMATSA sources and integrate the check into every mission.