OPSGROUP

SuperNOTAMs update! What's the latest on Fixing Notams? This is. Here we go: 1. Lots of airlines/operators have been asking us for a blueprint to see how exactly AI can be used in solving the Notam problem. Today, we published one. If you want a copy, email fixem@notams.org (airlines/operators only*). 2. We wrapped up Notam Camp in May this year, and finished with a working model called SuperNOTAMs. It works, and works well. But there is more to do. We resume in early 2025 with what is hopefully the last round of Notam-Fixing work. 3. One critical thing is this: We're not just asking AI to determine which Notams are critical. It can't. What we do is show it a list of tags of things we care about (runway closed) and things we don't (birds). It then tags them, so we can sort them. 4. Notams STILL suck. Majorly. But we have learned we cannot solve the problem at source (i.e. expecting ICAO, FAA, national authorities) to fix them. Impossible. The ICAO Notam replacement solution is now called "Doris" and will be released in 2025. Ooops, typo. 2035. To confirm, Doris, 2035. 5. The solution will come from the airlines, aircraft operators, and forward-looking flight planning providers (like, for example, Flightkeys GmbH). Once a straightforward AI model is tested in the live environment and conceptually-proved, we have a win. 6. *Why airlines/operators only? Because we want to keep this a collaborative project, and not have elements of it become proprietary before EVERYONE has a chance to experience a decent Notam briefing. 7. Remember, everyone right now is still using sticky tape, keyword searches, crappy Q-codes, and a short prayer to St. Anthony to try to pick out relevant NOTAMs. And we're still ending up with 150 page briefing packs. 7. Happy Halloween! 🎃🎃🎃 Email us for the full blueprint, and get your airline IT team doing something super useful: Super Notams.

We are HIRING! We’re looking for someone to join our team, in the role of Junior International Ops Specialist. This will suit someone with a couple of years experience in international flight operations (likely a Flight Dispatcher or Flight Operations Officer), who is looking to learn and grow within OPSGROUP. You’ll assist with the daily work that we do for our members, and at the same time learn more than you can imagine about the weird and wonderful world of International Flight Operations. Win-win! Apply here: https://lnkd.in/gniJdkwG

Applying for Letters of Authorization (LOAs) from the FAA can be a tricky old process. Here’s an updated guide which tells you what LOAs are, when you need them, and how straightforward the application process can be… https://lnkd.in/drYce2Fw #Nimbl

Most flights on the North Atlantic have all the necessary bells and whistles to merrily zip along between FL290-410 right through the centre of NAT HLA. But if you fly old planes, broken planes, little planes, or planes straight outta the factory, you will most likely be flying the Blue Spruce Routes. Here’s how they work, and what to expect when flying them… https://lnkd.in/ejp8kqmq

We’ve updated the NAT Circle of Entry for 2025. As always, changes on the North Atlantic continue without pause for breath – this version is the latest information as at October 2024. The Circle of Entry tells you what you need to get into each different sliver of North Atlantic airspace. A new NAT Guide (My First North Atlantic Flight is Tomorrow) is also published today, get it here: https://lnkd.in/gcJcaVfw

Really starting to not look good - latest on Hurricane Milton. KZZZ/USA - Hurricane Milton is rapidly intensifying over the Southern Gulf of Mexico. Its forecast has been upgraded by the National Hurricane Center with ‘explosive’ growth to Category 5 strength expected in the coming hours. Initial impacts will be to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico before a northeasterly track puts Florida at high risk from Wednesday.Several major airports have now published upcoming closures by Notam. These include KTPA/Tampa, KPIE/St. Pete-Clearwater, KSRQ/Bradenton, KMCO/Orlando and KMLB/Melbourne Orlando with more likely to follow. The FAA is hosting telcon briefings for Milton twice daily at 1230z and 2200z. https://lnkd.in/gEQsCveV

A major missile attack has been launched against Israel in the last few minutes. At present the entire country is under a missile warning. Reuters report missiles seen overflying Jordanian airspace, and the Israeli military have made a public announcement that Iran has fired large numbers of missiles at Israel. Separately, missiles have been seen flying above the Iranian capital, Tehran. There are no Notams covering the developing situation, but it does appear that Middle Eastern airspace will be heavily impacted as things progress. 1658 UTC Update: The Amman FIR (Jordan) is now closed until further notice. Notam A0367/24 at 1658Z. OJAC/AMMAN A0367/24 01OCT 1658Z - AMMAN FIR CLSD UFN. 01 OCT 16:50 2024 UNTIL 02 OCT 08:00 2024. Further updates will follow.

TV news is starting to carry the story. It's only taken 3 weeks (not bad!!) for the results of the incredible GPS Spoofing Workgroup to reach the international media. Congratulations once again to the 950 Workgroup participants for such a comprehensive analysis of the issues. Thanks to this, both experts and the wider interested audience have a better technical understanding of the problem - evident from this piece on US national TV news. Your work has made this possible, and will expedite solutions to the problem greatly. Well done everyone in the GPS Workgroup 2024 👍👍

Two issues in Cape Verde: 1. There are ongoing runway closures at the two main airports, GVAC/Sal and GNVP/Praia, that pilots and operators would only know about if they checked the AIP. 2. There are Notams published for these airports which do not show up in the FAA Notam search. Again, you would likely only know about them if you checked the Notams tab on the AIP website. https://lnkd.in/eDXkpt66