Why so many abbreviations in NOTAMs, etc.?

On 04/18/07 11:34, Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
Erik wrote:
Mxsmanic wrote:

Why are so many things abbreviated in NOTAMs and other similar
documents? Even words that aren't very long to begin with are often
abbreviated, saving only a letter or two. I can't think of any
situation today in which bandwidth would be so severely limited that
saving a letter or two would make a difference, so I assume there is
some historical reason for the abbreviations. Were such messages
transmitted by Morse code or something in the past, or is someone
still transmitting them that way (or over some other extremely slow
channel) today?

I was told that the fewer characters transmitted, the more
cost-effective it became.

I was hoping that in this age of the internet, they would change this
before I had to take my written (no luck). I passed it anyway, but
I'm certain that part of the questions I got wrong were for the stupid
weather reading.

Well then study up because you will be asked at your check ride.



Are you sure about that?

During my check ride, the DE was concerned about my ability to get current
weather, which I did - from sources like DUATS, etc., where the text is
translated already. The DE didn't care whether I knew any of the abbreviations.

This was true both for my PP-ASEL and IR check rides.

I think the only people that think everyone must learn those abbreviations
are the pilots that had to learn them. It just isn't the case any more, but
some just refuse to let go of the 'old ways'.

--
Mark Hansen, PP-ASEL, Instrument Airplane, USUA Ultralight Pilot
Cal Aggie Flying Farmers
Sacramento, CA