Purpose: This publication updates the name of the program and identifies the new location of the program’s procedures in the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM).
Background: The Cold Temperature Restricted Airports program name has changed to Cold Temperature Airports (CTA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has updated agency material to reflect this change.
In response to recognized safety concerns over cold weather altimetry errors, in 2010, the FAA completed a risk analysis to determine if instrument approach procedures set forth in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 97 pose a greater risk during cold temperature operations. The study led the FAA to publish information in the Notice to Airmen Publication (NTAP) that provided pilots with a list of airports, affected segments, and procedures needed to correct published altitudes at or below a published temperature limitation.
The FAA no longer publishes the NTAP. As a result, on July 16, 2020, the FAA published the Cold Temperature Airports procedure information in chapter 7 of the AIM. The FAA will publish a list of the airports and affected segments on its digital products search page at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dtpp/search/. The updated list is effective August 12, 2021, and remains in effect until September 8, 2022.
Pilots are responsible for applying altitude corrections and, pursuant to § 91.123, must advise Air Traffic Control (ATC) when these corrections are to be made on any segment other than the final segment. ATC is not responsible for making any altitude corrections and/or advising pilots that an altitude correction is required at a cold temperature airport.
Recommended Action: Operators of aircraft should:
- Understand the procedure required at Cold Temperature Airports.
- Operators conducting international flights should review if and how relevant foreign States (e.g., Canada) address this issue.
- View list at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/aeronav/digital_products/dtpp/search/.
Contact: Direct questions or comments regarding this InFO to the Flight Technologies and Procedures Division at (202) 267-8838.
