Partners and Programs:
  • BARS
  • GSIP
  • SKYbrary
  • ASN
  • Contact Us
  • Members' Center
  • Login
  • Support Aviation Safety

  • Industry Updates
  • The Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • Asia Pacific Centre for Aviation Safety
    • Founders
    • Mission
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Officers and Staff
    • Media/Communications
    • Aviation Award & Scholarship Programs
    • Work with Us
    • Join Us
  • Events
  • AeroSafety World
  • Toolkits & Resources
    • COVID-19 Crisis Resources
    • Fatigue Management
    • Flight Path Monitoring
    • Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (GAPPRE)
    • Go-Around Project
    • Global Safety Assessment Project
    • Learning From All Operations
    • Past Safety Initiatives
    • Pilot Training and Competency
    • Special Reports
  • Industry Updates
  • The Foundation
    • About the Foundation
    • Asia Pacific Centre for Aviation Safety
    • Founders
    • Mission
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Officers and Staff
    • Media/Communications
    • Aviation Award & Scholarship Programs
    • Work with Us
    • Join Us
  • Events
  • AeroSafety World
  • Toolkits & Resources
    • COVID-19 Crisis Resources
    • Fatigue Management
    • Flight Path Monitoring
    • Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions (GAPPRE)
    • Go-Around Project
    • Global Safety Assessment Project
    • Learning From All Operations
    • Past Safety Initiatives
    • Pilot Training and Competency
    • Special Reports
  • Contact Us
  • Members' Center
  • Login
  • Support Aviation Safety
Partners and Programs:
  • BARS
  • GSIP
  • SKYbrary
  • ASN

FLIGHT SAFETY FOUNDATION HEADQUARTERS

701 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 250,
Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone: +1 703 739 6700 Fax: +1 703 739 6708

  • Aviation Safety Experts
  • Industry Updates
  • Bracing for Winter Weather

News, Runway Safety (approach and landing), Winter/Challenging Ops

Bracing for Winter Weather

FAA has introduced a new package of takeoff and landing performance assessment methods to reduce the risk of runway overruns in this winter.

by Linda Werfelman | October 5, 2016

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced a new package of takeoff and landing performance assessment (TALPA) methods designed to reduce the risk of runway overruns caused by runway contamination resulting from standing water, snow or ice.

The changes, which took effect Oct. 1, are discussed at a section of the FAA website at <www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/talpa>. The website includes FAA guidance, notices, alerts, videos and frequently asked questions.

The FAA said the new TALPA methods, which provide more accurate determinations of the distance required to safely stop an aircraft after landing or after a rejected takeoff, were developed based on the work of the TALPA Aviation Rulemaking Committee.

“As a result of the committee’s work, the FAA has developed a revised method for airports and air traffic controllers to communicate actual runway conditions to the pilots in terms that directly relate to the way a particular aircraft is expected to perform,” the agency said. “The TALPA initiative improves the way the aviation community assesses runway conditions, based on contaminant type and depth, which provides an aircraft operator with effective information to anticipate airplane braking performance.”

A key element of the TALPA initiative is the new Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM). Using data supplied by airplane manufacturers and presented in a standardized format, operators assess and report runway conditions, and pilots use that information — along with manufacturer’s data — to determine their aircraft’s expected stopping performance.

“The RCAM replaces subjective judgments of runway conditions with objective assessments tied directly to contaminant type and depth categories,” the FAA said.

The agency added that aircraft operators input runway surface condition information into the federal Notices to Airmen system to generate runway condition codes. Those codes may vary for each one-third of a runway, if different contaminants are present on each third.

Pilot reports on braking action still will be used to assess aircraft braking performance, the FAA said, adding that the term “medium” is now being used to describe braking performance that previously was considered “fair.” Airports are no longer reporting braking action as “NIL” — or no braking action — because “NIL conditions on any surface require the closure of that surface,” the FAA said, adding that such surfaces will be reopened only when the airport operator determines that NIL braking conditions no longer exist.

Compliance with the new TALPA standards is required at all federally obligated airports — all airports that accept grants from the U.S. government.

Share:

Print:

Key Safety Issues

  • Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT)
  • Loss of Control–In Flight (LOC-I)
  • Mechanical Issues
  • Runway Safety (approach and landing)
  • Sabotage/Intentional Acts
  • Midair Collisions (MAC)
  • Runway Safety (Conflicts)
  • Wildlife Issues
  • Fatigue
  • Cabin Safety
  • Emerging Safety Issues
    • Lithium Batteries
    • Safety Information Sharing and Protection
    • Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Related Content

Accident Investigation, Maintenance Matters, News

Crossed Wires

The NTSB cites a wiring problem and malfunctioning antiskid system in a Saab SA-2000’s runway overrun, which killed one passenger.

by Linda Werfelman

Accident/Incident Investigation, News, Runway Safety

Rainy Days

A Fokker 100 overran the landing runway after the crew grappled with wind shear, a contaminated runway and decreased braking action.

by Linda Werfelman

Accident Investigation, News, Runway Safety

Watery Landing

The ‘close to … flooded’ condition of the runway was the primary factor in the 737’s overrun, the NTSB says.

by Linda Werfelman

Read more articles

701 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 250, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Phone: +1 703 739 6700 Fax: +1 703 739 6708

Flight Safety Foundation on Twitter

Stop by the @Boeing booth and drop off your business card for a chance to win this 777-9 model! The drawing is on… https://t.co/iZfKWRtYpI

March 22, 2023

Follow @flightsafety

Projects & Partners

  • Basic Aviation Risk Standard
  • Global Safety Information Project
  • SKYbrary
  • Aviation Safety Network
  • Donate
  • Advertise on our website
  • Sponsor & Exhibit at our Events
  • Work with Us
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
  • Privacy

© 2023 Flight Safety Foundation

Join our group on LinkedIn