The Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) initiative reduces the risk of runway overruns by providing airport operators with a method to accurately and consistently determine runway conditions when a paved runway is not dry. Federally obligated airports and many other airports use TALPA procedures to conduct runway assessments and to report those conditions in Field Condition (FICON) Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs).
FICON NOTAMs provide pilots and flight planners information that helps determine the runway length needed to safely stop an aircraft after a rejected takeoff or a landing.
- TALPA Update Meeting
- TALPA Resources
- For Operators & Pilots
- For Airport Operators
- For Air Traffic
- For Manufacturers
- TALPA-Related Regulations
- Feedback
TALPA Update Meeting (July 11 and 12, 2017)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and members of the aviation community met on July 11-12, 2017, to share data on new standards developed to improve safety at U.S. airports during inclement weather. Read more on the TALPA Update Meeting.
TALPA Resources
The following tables identifies existing FAA publications that are significant to the TALPA initiative. Additional publications will be added to the tables for use by the aviation community in the next several months.
Additional information can be found on the National Business Aviation Association's (NBAA) site. Educational videos are also available on the NBAA YouTube channel.
For Operators & Pilots
| Resource | Purpose | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| Order 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 3, Section 1, paragraph 4-503 (PDF) |
Provides a method for determining landing distance required for turbojet and turboprop airplane operators that do not have manufacturer-provided, airplane-specific TALPA data. (See the FAA's Flight Standards Information Management System for the current version of Order 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 3, Section 1.) |
11/13/2017 |
| SAFO 16009 Runway Assessment and Condition Reporting, Effective October 1, 2016 (PDF) | Highlights the TALPA initiative processes. | 08/15/2016 |
| AC 91-79A, Mitigating the Risks of a Runway Overrun Upon Landing | Provides ways for pilots and airplane operators to identify, understand, and mitigate risks associated with runway overruns during landing. | 04/28/2016 |
| Operational (Pilots) Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) Braking Action Codes and Definitions (PDF) | A matrix used to interpret runway condition codes and to define observed assessment criteria. | 08/2016 |
| Reportable Contaminants in Field Condition (FICON) Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) (PDF) | Identifies reportable contaminants as well as the reportable depths. | 06/07/2016 |
For Airport Operators
| Resource | Purpose | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| CertAlert 18-07: NOTAM Procedure Awareness Associated with Winter Operations (PDF) | Emphasizes key NOTAM procedures identified in Advisory Circular 150/5200-28F, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for Airport Operators. Reminds certificate holders and other airport operators that following best practices for Work In Progress (WIP) NOTAMs, Conditions Not Monitored versus Condition Not Reported NOTAMs, Field Condition NOTAMs (FICONs) and timely notification to appropriate air traffic control (ATC) facilities, and the New Field Condition NOTAM policy about the term "Patchy" will enhance NOTAM effectiveness and overall winter operations safety at airports. | |
| AC 150/5200-28F, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for Airport Operators | Provides guidance on using the NOTAM system for reporting airport facilities changes or outages and for utilizing the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix for airport condition reporting. | 12/30/2016 |
| CertAlert 16-10: Announcement of Publication of New Advisory Circular (AC) 150/5200-28F, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) for Airport Operators (PDF) | Announces the release of AC 150/5200-28F, which provides guidance on using the NOTAM system for airport condition reporting. | 12/30/2016 |
| Airport Condition Reporting and the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) Presentation with Notes (MS PowerPoint) | Self-pace presentation with note pages that illustrates revisions to the process of assessing and reporting runway surface conditions. | 10/2016 |
| CertAlert 16-06: Announcement of the Take Off and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Initiative Implementation Date and Time (PDF) | Reminds airport operators of the October 1, 2016, TALPA implementation date and alerts them to pending additional guidance updates. | 9/30/2016 |
| Video: Assessing and Reporting Airport Conditions | An abbreviated version of the Airport Condition Reporting and RCAM video that discusses and demonstrates revisions to the process of assessing and reporting runway surface conditions. | 9/26/2016 |
| Video: Airport Condition Reporting and the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) (Version 2) | Discusses and demonstrates changes to the process of assessing and reporting airport conditions. Narration differs from the 9/8/2016 version. | 9/23/2016 |
| Change 1 to AC 150/5200-30D, Airport Field Condition Assessments and Winter Operations Safety | Change 1 provides additional guidance on implementing TALPA. Specifically, it updates information on reporting wet runway, slippery when wet reporting procedures, unacceptable aspects of reporting Mu values to aircraft operators, using current runway in use for generating runway surface condition reports, airport operators abilities to use mitigations to improve runway conditions, and using Conditions Not Monitored and Surface Conditions Not Reported NOTAMs. | 3/8/2017 |
| CertAlert 17-02, Announcement of Change 1 to AC 150/5200-30D, Airport Field Condition Assessments and Winter Operations Safety (PDF) | Announces the availability of Change 1 to AC 150/5200-30D. | 3/8/2017 |
| Airport Condition Reporting and the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) Video (Version 1) | Discusses and demonstrates revisions to the process of assessing and reporting runway surface conditions. | 09/08/2016 |
| Provides airport operators with an updated Snow and Ice Control Plan (SICP) template to assist them with revisions to their Airport Certification Manual (ACM). | 8/2/2016 | |
| CertAlert 16-04: Informational Webinars on Airport Condition Reporting and the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM) (PDF) | Announces the dates and times for webinars for airport operators and other stakeholders about the new process for assessing and reporting surface conditions using the assessment tool known as the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM). | 8/18/2016 |
| AC 150/5200-30D, Airport Field Condition Assessments and Winter Operations Safety | Provides guidance on developing a snow and ice control plan, assessing and reporting airport conditions using the Runway Condition Assessment Matrix (RCAM), and establishing snow removal and control procedures. | 07/29/2016 |
| AC 150/5300-13, Airport Design | Contains the FAA standards and recommendations for the geometric layout and engineering design of runways, taxiways, aprons, and other facilities at civil airports. | 09/28/2012 |
| Frequently Asked Questions about the Takeoff and Landing Performance Assessment (TALPA) Initiative for Airport Operators (PDF) | Provides answers to questions about TALPA, RCAM, and the process for reporting runway conditions. | 12/22/2016 |
| Order 5190.6, FAA Airport Compliance Manual | Provides guidance to FAA personnel on interpreting and administering the continuing commitments airport sponsors make to the U.S. Government when they accept grants of federal funds or federal property for airport purposes. | 09/30/2009 |
| Airport Safety Information Video Series - Winter Operations Update | Reviews pre-season planning and best practices for winter operations, and takes a look at new approaches, reporting methods, and terminology. | 10/28/2014 |
| Revised Runway Condition Assessment Tool for Airport Operators (PDF) | Allows airport operators to assess a runway surface when contaminants are present in order to generate and report a Runway Condition Code (RwyCC). | 07/29/2016 |
| Reportable Contaminants in Field Condition (FICON) Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) (PDF) | Identifies reportable contaminants as well as the reportable depths. | 06/07/2016 |
For Air Traffic
| Resource | Purpose | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| TALPA-related Changes to the AIM (PDF) | Identifies changes, effective October 1, 2016, to the AIM. Changes will appear in the AIM when it is next published in April 2017. | 9/2016 |
| TALPA-related Changes to the AIP (PDF) | Identifies changes, effective October 1, 2016, to the AIP. Changes will appear in the AIP when it is next published in April 2017. | 9/2016 |
| Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) | Provides basic flight information and ATC procedures for use in the NAS of the US. | Updated periodically |
| Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) | Provides basic flight information and ATC procedures for use internationally, in accordance with the Standards and Recommended Practices of ICAO Annex 15, Aeronautical Information Services. | Updated periodically |
For Manufacturers
| Resource | Purpose | Publication Date |
|---|---|---|
| AC 25-31, Takeoff Performance Data for Operations on Contaminated Runways | Provides guidance that operators can use when developing takeoff performance data for transport category airplanes for ops on contaminated runways. Promotes use of consistent terminology for runway surface conditions. | 12/22/2015 |
| AC 25-32, Landing Performance Data for Time-of-Arrival Landing Performance Assessments | Provides guidance to be used when developing landing performance data for time-of-arrival landing performance assessments for transport category airplanes. Also promotes the use of consistent terminology for runway surface conditions. | 12/22/2015 |
TALPA-Related Regulations
- 14 CFR Part 25, Airworthiness Standards: Transport Category Airplanes
- 14 CFR Part 91, General Operating and Flight Rules
- 14 CFR Part 121, Operating Requirements: Domestic, Flag, and Supplemental Operations
- 14 CFR Part 135, Operating Requirements: Commuter and On Demand Operations and Rules Governing Persons On Board Such Aircraft
- 14 CFR Part 139, Certification of Airports
- 49 CFR Part 1542, Airport Security
- 49 CFR Part 1544, Aircraft Operator Security: Air Carriers and Commercial Operators