Sound familiar? What about these?
“They seem to make up new codes every day, where the heck are we supposed to find the meaning of every abbreviation in there? ”
“It’s just a mess trying to find what is useful information and what is not.”
Or have you ever run into this problem?
“Preflight struggle: scanning through all of the NOTAMs and trying to figure out which ones are relevant to my flight. I’m pretty sure I’ve missed NOTAMs that I probably should have read.”
Yeah, I get it. I was there too. I've said all of those things. Except my situation was worse.
I had over 2000 hours, but I had NO IDEA I was clueless when it came to NOTAMs.
I found out the hard way during my regional airline interview. When it came time for the technical interview, I felt very confident I was prepared (or so I thought).
So, when the interview pilot pointed to a NOTAMs and asked: "what does that mean?" I was taken aback.
I looked down at the paper, scrunched up my eyes hoping that would somehow decode the NOTAM, but I was stumped.
I had no idea what "PAEW" meant.
"Give it your best shot," he said.
I had no best shot! I had no idea what it meant! It looked vaguely familiar, but "familiar" doesn't mean anything in an interview.
I was utterly convinced I'd busted the interview. He gave no indication if I'd passed, he just gave a "thank you, please go back out front."
Luckily, I was hired, but the experience left me shaken.
How had I gotten over 2,000 hours with such a huge gap in my knowledge?
It was then I decided I would learn everything I could about NOTAMs.
But, I couldn't find anything useful on the internet.
Sure, I found the FAA websites and there were some references in the AIM and CFRs, but nothing tangible.
There was no practical one-stop resource.
So, I made one.
You don't have to struggle like I did. You can learn NOTAMs!
Imagine what it'll feel like when you have finally cracked the code on NOTAMs and you can understand all of them, not just a few!
Imagine what you’re going to feel like once you’ve learned how to read them, sort through them, and more importantly figured out if they apply to you.
You’ll be able to teach your fellow pilots the tricks you learned
You won’t have to worry about NOTAM questions during a check ride
Your technical job interview will go off without a hitch
You'll be the one others look to when a difficult NOTAM pops up
Best of all, you won’t have to worry about getting a violation from the FAA or losing your license
I was stuck like you
None of the resources taught me all the different ways to check NOTAMs.
Some of them kind of went into how to decode them, but none of them provided a reference for acronyms I could use for later. Or if they did, it was the generic incomplete FAA one.
No one explained any tricks on how to sort through them. I couldn't figure out how to quickly disregard the irrelevant ones and only pick out the ones I needed for my flight.
The worst part is no one went in depth on what they mean. What does it mean TO ME when the radar is out? Or the VOR isn't working? Should I be concerned?
I wanted someone to hold me by the hand and be there every step of the way when I ran into difficult NOTAMs.
I wanted a foolproof method for reading NOTAMs.
So, I scratched my own itch. I created a resource that doesn't exist.
This resource I created will help you stand on your own two feet during flight planning.
It's a resource you can always reference for the rest of your aviation career when you have a question you need answering.
You may be stuck now, but there is a solution.
What you'll get with this course:
MODULE 1: WHAT ARE NOTAMS?
AIM definition and why you should always check them
Who issues NOTAMs
When they are issued and how long they last
What happens if they are incorrect
Module 2: THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NOTAMS
The 5 different types
The “other” NOTAMs
Module 3: HOW TO CHECK NOTAMS
FAA websites
Third Party applications
Checking the “other” NOTAMs: TFRs and GPS NOTAMs
Module 4: HOW TO READ NOTAMS
The basic structure of NOTAMs
How the time groups work
How to identify the keywords and why they are important
A demonstration of the acronym guide
Module 5: NOTAM BEST PRACTICES
Airport diagrams and NOTAMs
Printing NOTAMs: pros and cons
Why knowing your equipment is vital
How to scan NOTAMs quickly and save you time during flight planning
Tips on deciphering NOTAM times
Module 6: HOW TO DETERMINE WHICH NOTAMS APPLY
Understanding VFR vs IFR NOTAMs
A discussion on aircraft equipment and how that effects NOTAMs
Which NOTAMs only apply to airline pilots
A deep dive into the most important NOTAMs
A look at which NOTAMs most pilots can safely ignore
Module 7: CASE STUDIES
One VFR flight and one IFR flight (additional case studies will be added every month)
Each case study will explore which NOTAMs apply and how they affect each flight scenario in detail
BONUS:
Downloadable Workbook
What people are saying about Sarah's
teaching style:
“Sarah makes it sound so simple and easy (and it is). She is very thorough and does well at instructing step-by-step. She’s an amazing instructor.”
What else will I get with this course?
Access to me through email.
I will research any question you may have about NOTAMs and get back to you as soon as possible.
Two BONUSES!
An acronym PDF guide you can use to decode NOTAMs, METARs and TAFs.
A BONUS workbook to help you understand the lessons and apply it to real life.
THIS IS A DIGITAL COURSE. YOU CAN DO THE COURSE FROM HOME AND ON YOUR SCHEDULE.
You can complete the course lessons from the comfort of your couch or kitchen table, as long as you have an Internet connection!
The entire program is completely digital so you can access it from anywhere through our private course portal.
And you'll never miss a beat: you can go at your own pace and do the lessons on your schedule.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MASTER NOTAMs?
I am not going to lie.
It takes work to master any aviation topic and NOTAMs are no exception. The good news is once you know what to study (which I will show you in the course), you can master NOTAMs in just a few weeks.
Six months from now you'll wonder why you ever had issues with NOTAMs
Others might take a few extra months to feel completely comfortable with NOTAMs. There's no rush and no right or wrong amount of time because you have lifetime access to the program and all future updates!
This isn't a "quick fix" by any means.
This is about understanding the framework so you have the tools to decode difficult NOTAMs the rest of your career.
We recommend you set aside a half hour a week to go through the course and do the homework assignments.
The more time you spend practicing NOTAMs, the quicker you will tackle them with confidence.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS COURSE IS RIGHT FOR ME?
You are ready to take this course if:
• You are tired of not knowing if a NOTAM applies to your flight
• You are frustrated with decoding NOTAMs
• You are worried you'll miss important NOTAMs
• You believe pilots should invest in their continuing education
This course is not right for you if:
• You are already an airline pilot or hold an ATP license.
• You are a drone pilot
• You think you can figure it out on your own even though that hasn’t helped you up to this point.
• You think learning stops once you get your pilot’s license.
What you've been doing hasn't been working.
Starting now will allow you to:
Fly with confidence knowing you understand ALL of the NOTAMS pertaining to your flight
Finally, learn how to read NOTAM at the adult level, not like a first grader.
End your frustration with NOTAMS because you understand the framework.
If you wait, you’ll be in the same place you are now. Six months from now, you’ll wish you had started today!
You’ve got two choices here….
You can muddle along frustrated with the whole NOTAM system. You can go flying with that nagging feeling you don’t quite understand if a NOTAM is going to mess up your flight. You can wonder if you missed something important.
You can learn a system for quickly identifying which NOTAMs you can disregard, learn how to pick out the relevant NOTAMs, and finally understand which ones apply to you.
Think how good it will feel to print a long list of NOTAMs, and go through them with confidence checking off the ones you don’t need and finally understanding the ones that do apply to you.
If you haven’t been able to learn NOTAMs on your own yet, what makes you think that will change?
You need help from an expert.
Let me show you how to easily decipher and understand NOTAMs.
But, wait! What about......
Life! I don’t have enough time. I'm way to busy to take an online course.
That's the beauty of an online course. This course is designed so you can access it anywhere and at any time.
If you have an internet connection, you can do this course.
Everyone has small pockets of time.
Understanding NOTAMS is a vital skill for every pilot. You have to make the decision to make time in your life.
I can figure them out on my own.
If that were true, you wouldn't still be reading this website.
I don’t have enough money. This course is too expensive.
Investing in yourself is the best use of your money. We put money away in our 401ks and savings accounts religiously and we spend outrageous amounts of money on college degrees, but we balk at spending money advancing ourselves in real tangible ways?
This course will make you a better pilot. How is that not worth it?
Can you afford to spend your whole career not knowing about such a vital topic like NOTAMs? They affect every aspect of your flight.
100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE
I wholeheartedly believe in the NOTAMS MADE EASY course. But, I want you to feel confident when you try it out for yourself!
That's why I have a 100% Risk-Free Guarantee.
You can try NOTAMS MADE EASY for 30 days, and if you aren't satisfied, just ask us for a full refund.
Before I'll issue a refund I'll want to know one thing:
What didn't you like about the course?
That's it. Just shoot me a quick note and I'll give you your money back.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUY?
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: When does the course begin and end?
The course starts as soon as you enroll!
You will always have access to the course including all future updates.
FAQ: Do I get lifetime access to the course material?
Yes! You get lifetime access to all updates.
FAQ: Is this course suitable for international aviators?
Right now the course is geared specifically to the FAA and the US NOTAM system. However, I will be adding ICAO specific training in the near future. This is the first iteration of the course. The second iteration will address international NOTAMs in depth. This version of the course will still go into how to determine if a NOTAM applies to you which is applicable to international pilots.
FAQ: What is the refund policy?
We have a 30-day money-back guarantee. I will ask you why you didn't like the course so I can improve it. When you shoot me a quick email, I'll give you your money back.
FAQ: What are the payment options?
The full price of the course is $147 if you pay in full immediately.
Or, you can choose a payment plan of three monthly payments of $59 for a total of $177.
You will save $30 if you purchase the course in full vs the payment plan.
FAQ: Why are you charging so much?
NOTAMs are a skill you will need your entire aviation career. They are a vital part of flight planning and can make the difference between a successful or horrible flight.
This course will teach you the skills you will need navigate NOTAMs forever.
You will always have access to this course and a continually updated NOTAM decoder guide which does not exist anywhere else.
FAQ: Why should I take your course and not another, cheaper option?
Sure, go ahead. But other courses only teach you how to read NOTAMs and the minimum amount of information you need for passing the test. I will teach you all of that as well, but I will show you how to apply that NOTAM to your flight. No other course answers the question: "does this apply to me?"
FAQ: I am a Drone/UAV pilot, should I take this course?
No, this course is geared towards private and commercial pilot license holders. I will be offering a stripped down version of the course in the future. Please remain on my email list as that is how I will announce any UAV courses.
FAQ: I am a student pilot, and I can’t afford this course. Is there a cheaper option?
You can do the payment plan of three monthly payments of $99. You can also read the blog posts on my website for free.
FAQ: Is this course completely online?
Yes, you can access it from anywhere you have the internet and on any device including Android devices.
None of the materials are in print and they will never be in print.
You will not receive anything in the mail. You will need to login to Teachable.com to access the course.
Hey! It's Sarah Fritts, your virtual CFI.
I completely understand where you are right now. I've been there.
I also struggled with NOTAMs even after getting 2,000 flight hours! I'm not proud of it, but I wanted to show you that it's not too late.
Experience is a funny thing. Some things stick and other things don't. Sometimes you have to put in concentrated effort to learn something once and for all.
I had to do that. I buckled down and learned everything I could about NOTAMs, and I want to share that knowledge with you.
Now I'm a 3,700 hour ATP pilot. I've flown combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I've also flown for the airlines and a small government operation.
In other words, I've seen a wide variety of NOTAMs and I can not only decode them, but I understand what they mean.
We're gonna figure this out together.
I created this course because I want to help you look at NOTAMs with confidence and I believe everyone you can master NOTAMs with the right guidance and support.
You can tackle this important skill and I'll be here to help you!
