Safety Alerts and Charting Notices

AIM ¶ 9-1-3 — Safety Alerts and Charting Notices

AIM 9-1-3 explains FAA Safety Alerts, Charting Notices, and Data Product Notices for pilots. Study guide for written tests, oral exams, and checkrides.

In Plain English

AIM 9-1-3 describes three types of notices the FAA's Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) publishes to keep pilots informed about issues or changes affecting digital aeronautical products (charts, publications, and data).

Safety Alerts (SAs): Notify users of an error discovered or reported in a digital product. The notice identifies the specific product affected and the effective date(s).
Charting Notices (CNs): Announce a planned enhancement to a chart or publication, along with the effective date when the change takes effect.
Data Product Notices (DPNs): Notify users of a system outage, or alternatively a developmental upgrade to a digital product and when that upgrade goes live.

These notices matter because pilots rely on accurate, current charts and data for safe navigation. Checking the AIS website before flight planning — especially when using digital products — helps you catch known errors or upcoming changes that could affect your flight. The full listing is published at the FAA AIS Safety Alerts page referenced in the paragraph.

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AIM Source Text

FAA AIM ¶ 9-1-3

9-1-3. 9-1-3. Safety Alerts, Charting Notices, and Data Product Notices Safety Alerts (SAs) are published to notify users of an error that was reported or discovered in one of our digital products. The specific product and effective date(s) are provided. Charting Notices (CNs) are published to notify users of a planned chart/publication enhancement and the effective date on which the enhancement will be implemented. Data Product Notices (DPNs) are published to notify users of a system outage. DPNs may also be used to notify users of a developmental upgrade to one of our digital products and the effective date on which the upgrade will be implemented. A listing of these notices is found on the AIS website at: https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/ .

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What is a Safety Alert (SA) and when is one issued?

Per AIM 9-1-3, a Safety Alert is published to notify users of an error that was reported or discovered in one of the FAA's digital products. The SA identifies the specific product and the effective date(s).

Q2What is the difference between a Charting Notice and a Data Product Notice?

Per AIM 9-1-3, a Charting Notice (CN) announces a planned chart or publication enhancement and its effective date, while a Data Product Notice (DPN) notifies users of a system outage or a developmental upgrade to a digital product and the date that upgrade takes effect.

Q3Where can pilots find a listing of Safety Alerts, Charting Notices, and Data Product Notices?

Per AIM 9-1-3, these notices are listed on the FAA Aeronautical Information Services (AIS) website at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/safety_alerts/.

Related Paragraphs in AIM Chapter 9

¶ 9-1-1

FAA Aeronautical Charts

¶ 9-1-2

Obtaining Aeronautical Charts

¶ 9-1-4

FAA Charts and Products

¶ 9-1-5

FAA Chart Series Overview

¶ 9-1-6

Foreign Area Charts