AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2021 - 32

BRIEFING
T H E
F A A
R E L E A S E D its
updated list of cold temperature
airports at which pilots
must apply altitude corrections
on certain segments
of instrument approaches
when outside air temperatures
drop below a published
limitation. At the same time,
the agency renamed the program
from cold temperature
restricted airports to cold
temperature airports. Cold
temperature airport procedures
are detailed in Chapter
7, Section 3 of the Aeronautical
Information Manual, and the
airports are also published on
the FAA's website. Airports in
31 states are included, along
with the associated temperature
restriction, and which
part of affected approaches
requires an altitude correction-the
intermediate, final,
or missed approach segment.
F IRST LOOK /
Frigid
fields
FAA taps the coldest
airports in the United
States, offers guidance
BY ALYSSA J. COBB
" Temperature has an effect on the accuracy of barometric altimeters, indicated
altitude, and true altitude, " says 7-3-1 of the Aeronautical Information Manual. " When
the ambient (at altitude) temperature is colder than standard, the aircraft's true altitude
is lower than the indicated barometric altitude. "
The Aeronautical Information Manual includes a cold temperature error table
as well as details for determining the correction that must be made during preflight
planning.
In addition to barometric altimeter errors, colder-than-standard temperatures
can also affect the rate of descent needed on an approach. " Non-standard temperatures
can result in a change to effective vertical paths and actual descent rates when
using aircraft baro-VNAV equipment for vertical guidance on final approach segments.
A lower than standard temperature will result in a shallower descent angle
and reduced descent rate. Conversely, a higher than standard temperature will result
in a steeper angle and increased descent rate. Pilots should consider potential consequences
of these effects on approach minima, power settings, sight picture, visual
cues, etc., especially for high-altitude or terrain-challenged locations and during
low-visibility conditions. "
Pilots must make the altitude correction on their own and report the correction
to air traffic control if it occurs on the intermediate or missed approach segment. In a
notice released August 10, the FAA emphasized that it is pilots' responsibility to make
the corrections: " ATC is not responsible for making any altitude corrections and/or
advising pilots that an altitude correction is required at a cold temperature airport. "
The updated list of cold temperature airports is in effect until September 8, 2022.
The program previously published the information in the Notices to Airmen
Publication. The FAA no longer publishes the Notices to Airmen Publication, so
in July 2020, the agency began publishing the information in the Aeronautical
Information Manual. alyssa.cobb@aopa.org
aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/Cold_Temp_Airports.pdf
32
AOPA PILOT / November 2021
CHRIS ROSE

http://aeronav.faa.gov/d-tpp/Cold_Temp_Airports.pdf

AOPA Pilot Magazine - November 2021

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