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# Altimetry

Your altimeter is a marvelous piece of machinery that is highly accurate throughout almost the entire flight envelope of your aircraft. Almost, but not all. When it gets very cold, the error can be enough to lower your actual altitude well below any minimums. You, ATC, or your aircraft will have to make adjustments.

I've included the math here just to show there is science behind the method. But, as a pilot, what you need to know is that when it gets cold, your altimeter puts the airplane lower than it should. In most cases the error is insignificant. The colder than 0°C it is, and the higher you are than the airport's elevation, the more significant the error. You can use a set of tables, included below and in Jepps, or if your aircraft is allowed to automatically compensate, you can do that. But if you make the corrections, you need to let ATC know. They might be giving you corrected altitudes or your correction could put you in the way of aircraft that are not correcting.

Figure: KLEB Altimeter Temperature Correction Example, from Eddie's notes.

### Altimeter Temperature Correction

[ICAO Doc 8168 - Aircraft Operations - Vol I, Part III, §1, Ch. 4] Note.— This chapter deals with altimeter corrections for pressure, temperature and, where appropriate, wind and terrain effects. The pilot is responsible for these corrections, except when under radar vectoring. In that case, the radar controller issues clearances such that the prescribed obstacle clearance will exist at all times, taking the cold temperature correction into account.

4.1.1 Pilot’s responsibility. The pilot-in-command is responsible for the safety of the operation and the safety of the aeroplane and of all persons on board during flight time (Annex 6, 4.5.1). This includes responsibility for obstacle clearance, except when an IFR flight is being vectored by radar.

4.1.3 State’s responsibility. Annex 15, Appendix 1 (Contents of Aeronautical Information Publication), indicates that States should publish in Section GEN 3.3.5, “The criteria used to determine minimum flight altitudes”. If nothing is published, it should be assumed that no corrections have been applied by the State. Note.— The determination of lowest usable flight levels by air traffic control units within controlled airspace does not relieve the pilot-in-command of the responsibility for ensuring that adequate terrain clearance exists, except when an IFR flight is being vectored by radar.

4.1.4 Air traffic control (ATC). If an aircraft is cleared by ATC to an altitude which the pilot-in-command finds unacceptable due to low temperature, then the pilot-in-command should request a higher altitude. If such a request is not received, ATC will consider that the clearance has been accepted and will be complied with. See Annex 2 and the PANS-ATM (Doc 4444), Chapter 6.

4.3.1 Requirement for temperature correction. The calculated minimum safe altitudes/heights must be adjusted when the ambient temperature on the surface is much lower than that predicted by the standard atmosphere. In such conditions, an approximate correction is 4 per cent height increase for every 10°C below standard temperature as measured at the altimeter setting source. This is safe for all altimeter setting source altitudes for temperatures above –15°C.

4.3.2 Tabulated corrections. For colder temperatures, a more accurate correction should be obtained from Tables III-1-4-1 a) and III-1-4-1 b). These tables are calculated for a sea level aerodrome. They are therefore conservative when applied at higher aerodromes. To calculate the corrections for specific aerodromes or altimeter setting sources above sea level, or for values not tabulated, see 4.3.3, “Corrections for specific conditions”.

Note 1.— The corrections have been rounded up to the next 5 m or 10 ft increment.

Note 2.— Temperature values from the reporting station (normally the aerodrome) nearest to the position of the aircraft should be used.

These are the same tables reproduced by Jeppesen. No matter where you get them, if you do a lot of cold weather flying you should either have the tables handy or have an aircraft that can do the math for you. (More about that below, using the Gulfstream G450 as an example.) Some aircraft can do the math because that's all it really is, math:

4.3.3 Corrections for specific conditions. Tables III-1-4-1 a) and III-1-4-1 b) were calculated assuming a linear variation of temperature with height. They were based on the following equation, which may be used with the appropriate value of t0, H, L0 and Hss to calculate temperature corrections for specific conditions. This equation produces results that are within 5 per cent of the accurate correction for altimeter setting sources up to 3 000 m (10 000 ft) and with minimum heights up to 1 500 m (5 000 ft) above that source.

$Correction=Hx( 15 - t0 273 + t0 - 0.5 X L0 X ( H + H0 ) )$

where:
H = minimum height above the altimeter setting source (setting source is normally the aerodrome unless otherwise specified)
t0 = taerodrome + L0 × haerodrome . . . aerodrome (or specified temperature reporting point) temperature adjusted to sea level
L0 = 0.0065°C per m or 0.00198°C per ft
H0 = altimeter setting source elevation
taerodrome = aerodrome (or specified temperature reporting point) temperature
haerodrome = aerodrome (or specified temperature reporting point) elevation

### U.S. Procedures

U.S. Procedures change effective January 8, 2015, as discussed in Notices to Airmen (NTAP), U.S. Cold Temperature Restricted Airports, Part 4, Section 1 and soon to be added to the Aeronautical Information Manual. This publication includes a list of U.S. airports where altimeter corrections for cold temperatures are mandatory. See also InFO 15002, Implementation of cold temperature altitude corrections at "Cold Temperature Restricted Airports" found in Notice to Airmen Publication (NTAP).

[Notices to Airmen, U.S. Cold Temperature Restricted Airports, Part 4, Section 1]

• Pilots must make an altitude correction to the published, "at", "at or above" and "at or below" altitudes on designated segment(s) [shown in the NTAP], on all published procedures and runways, when the reported airport temperature is at or below the published airport cold temperature restriction.
• Pilots without temperature compensating aircraft are responsible to calculate and make a manual cold temperature altitude correction to the designated segment(s) of the approach using the AIM 7-2-3, ICAO Cold Temperature Error Table.
• No extrapolation above the 5000 ft column required. Pilots should use the 5000 ft "height above airport in feet" column for calculating corrections of greater than 5000ft above reporting station. Pilots will add correction(s) from the table to the segment altitude(s) and fly at the new corrected altitude. PILOTS SHOULD NOT MAKE AN ALTIMETER CHANGE to accomplish an altitude correction.
• Pilots with temperature compensating aircraft must ensure the system is on and operating for each segment requiring an altitude correction. Pilots must ensure they are flying at corrected altitude. If the system is not operating, the pilot is responsible to calculate and apply a manual cold weather altitude correction using the AIM 7-2-3 ICAO Cold Temperature Error Table. PILOTS SHOULD NOT MAKE AN ALTIMETER CHANGE to accomplish an altitude correction.
• Pilots must report cold temperature corrected altitudes to Air Traffic Control (ATC) whenever applying a cold temperature correction on an intermediate segment and/or a published missed approach final altitude. This should be done on initial radio contact with the ATC issuing approach clearance. ATC requires this information in order to ensure appropriate vertical separation between known traffic. Pilots must not apply cold temperature compensation to ATC assigned altitudes or when flying on radar vectors in lieu of a published missed approach procedure. Pilots should query ATC when vectors to an intermediate segment are lower than the requested intermediate segment altitude corrected for temperature. Pilots are encouraged to self-announce corrected altitude when flying into uncontrolled airfields.
• Example. Hayden/Yampa Valley. Hayden, CO, Reported Temperature -26_ C: Cold weather temperature restriction is -26°C / -15F for both the intermediate and missed approach segment. RNAV (GPS) RWY 28:
1. Intermediate altitude (FAF) (BEEAR) = 10000 ft.
2. Airport elevation = 6606 ft.
3. Difference: 10000 ft. – 6606 ft. = 3394 ft.
4. AIM 7-2-3 ICAO Cold Temperature Error Table: Interception of 3394 ft. and -26_ C 550ft. Add correction to altitudes inside of IF thru FAF. IF HIPNA; 13,000. Stepdown fix PICIN; 11500 + 550 = 12050 (12100). FAF BEEAR; 10000 + 550 = 10550 (10600).
5. Fly new altitudes leaving HIPNA. Passing BEEAR no correction required on final.
6. Missed approach altitude. Follow steps 1 thru 4 to calculate and apply correction. New holding altitude is 10600 ft.
• The following is an example of appropriate pilot-to-ATC communication when applying cold-temperature altitude corrections.
• On initial check-in with ATC providing approach clearance: Hayden, CO (example).
• Intermediate segment: "Require 10600 ft. for cold temperature operations until BEEAR",
• Missed Approach segment: "Require final holding altitude, 10600 ft. on missed approach for cold temperature operations"
• Pilots must use the corrected MDA or DA/DH as the minimum for an approach. Pilots must meet the requirements in 14 CFR Part 91.175 in order to operate below the corrected MDA or DA/DH. Pilots must see and avoid obstacles when descending below the MDA.
• The temperature restriction at a "Cold Temperature Restricted Airport" is mutually exclusive from the charted temperature restriction published for "uncompensated baro-VNAV systems" on 14 CFR Part 97 RNAV (GPS) and RNAV (RNP) approach plates. The charted temperature restriction for uncompensated baro-VNAV systems is applicable to the final segment LNAV/VNAV minima. The charted temperature restriction must be followed regardless of the cold temperature restricted airport temperature.
• Pilots are not required to calculate a cold temperature altitude correction at any airport with a runway length of 2,500 feet or greater that is not included in the airports list below. Pilots operating into airports where all runways are less than 2,500 feet may make cold temperature altitude corrections in actual cold temperature conditions.

### Example

Figure: KLEB ILS 18 Profile view, from JeppView, pg. KLEB 11-1.

Flying into Lebanon, New Hampshire on the ILS Rwy 18 the ATIS reports the surface temperature is -10°C and you have been vectored to intercept the ILS at 3500 feet. What should you do?

This altitude is 3,000 feet above the altimeter setting source so, using the correction table, you need to add 290 feet to your indicated altitude. You should request to fly the intercept at 3,800 feet indicated altitude, then check your glide slope crossing at 2,930 feet and the minimum stepdown at 1,700'.

Notice that this correction, in accordance with the U.S. Cold Temperature Restricted Airports list is not mandatory at Lebanon, New Hampshire until -20°C and even then only on the intermediate and final approach segments. You can apply it, but regardless of the temperature you need to inform ATC that you are doing so. (See U.S. Procedures for more about this.)

### Automatic Temperature Compensation (G450 Example)

G450 aircraft with ASC 059 can automatically modify waypoint constraint altitudes to compensate for the effects of hot or cold weather.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 ¶3.A.] Temperature compensation is calculated when a landing temperature is entered by the pilot (on the LAND/GA INIT page) and a valid runway elevation is present.

#### Temperature Compensation Configuration

Photo: Flight Config 1/2, from Eddie's cockpit.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 ¶3.A.] The first step in the temperature compensation activation procedure is to configure the desired temperature compensation. Temperature compensation configuration is performed on the TEMP COMP CONFIG page. The TEMP COMP CONFIG page is accessed from the FLIGHT CONFIG page 2.

Photo: Flight Config 1/2, from Eddie's cockpit.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 ¶3.A.] Pushing LSK 3R on the FLIGHT CONFIG page 2 displays the TEMP COMP CONFIG page.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 §3.A.] Temperature compensation is configured by selecting the desired temperature compensation mode. Temperature compensation is calculated when the entered landing temperature is valid for the selected temperature compensation mode (COLD or HOT & COLD) and an approach procedure is selected and activated. The compensation modes displayed on the TEMP COMP CONFIG page are as follows

• OFF (LSK 1L) - Selecting OFF turns the temperature compensation off.
• COLD (LSK 2L) - Pushing LSK 2L selects the COLD temperature compensation mode. For COLD temperature compensation, the entered temperature range for the arrival airport elevation must be between --55°C and 0°C
• HOT & COLD (LSK 3L) - Pushing LSK 3L selects the HOT & COLD temperature compensation mode. For HOT & COLD temperature compensation, the entered temperature range for the arrival airport elevation must be from --55°C to + 55° C.

Set this to COLD and keep it there. Nobody uses HOT and hardly anyone uses COLD. But with this set to COLD you will have the option of using it whenever your temperature is below 0°C.

#### Approach Selection and Activation

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 §3.B.] After the desired temperature compensation configuration is selected, an approach must be selected and activated in the active flight plan.

#### Landing Surface Temperature Entry

Photo: LAND/GA INIT page, from Eddie's aircraft.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 §3.C.] The landing surface temperature is entered on the LAND/GA INIT page 1. The LAND/GA INIT page is accessed by selecting the LANDING prompt (LSK 6R) on the ARRIVAL page or the LANDING prompt (LSK 4R) on the PERF INDEX page. Landing surface temperature is entered by entering the temperature value into the scratchpad and pushing LSK 4L on the LAND/GA INIT page 1.

The TEMP COMP prompt is displayed adjacent to LSK 6L when the landing surface temperature is entered. Selecting the TEMP COMP prompt (LSK 6L) on the LAND/GA INIT page displays the TEMP COMP page 1.

#### Temperature Compensation Verification and Activation

Photo: TEMP COMP page, from Eddie's aircraft.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 §3.D.] Verification and activation of temperature compensation for the approach/missed approach waypoint crossing altitudes is performed on the TEMP COMP pages. The TEMP COMP pages are accessed by pushing LSK 6L on the LAND/GA INIT page 1. The TEMP COMP pages are also accessed by selecting TEMP COMP prompt (when it is displayed) on the ACTIVE FLT PLAN page.

The left column lists the names of the waypoints in the flight plan. The middle column lists the database altitude constraints corresponding to the waypoints. The right column lists the corresponding temperature compensated altitude values. If a waypoint does not have a navigation database altitude constraint, the database altitude and baro-corrected altitude fields are blank. Pushing LSK 6R activates temperature compensation. Once temperature compensation has been activated, the prompt at LSK 6R changes to CANCEL. Selecting CANCEL turns off temperature compensation. The final entry on the last TEMP COMP page permits the flight crew to manually enter the appropriate MDA/DA. When the appropriate MDA/DA is entered by the flight crew, the temperature-corrected altitude is displayed. The flight crew uses this temperature-corrected altitude for input on the Display Controller and Flight Guidance Panel.

#### Temperature Compensated Altitude Constraint Display

Photo: TEMP COMP page, from Eddie's aircraft.

[G450 Aircraft Operating Manual §2B-26-80 §3.E.] Once temperature compensation is activated, the temperature compensated altitude constraints are displayed on the ACTIVE FLT PLAN pages.

Temperature compensated altitudes from the NDB are displayed in reverse video on the ACTIVE FLT PLAN pages for pilot awareness. Angle constraints, such as the runway waypoint, are displayed as uncompensated values on the ACTIVE FLT PLAN pages for consistency with the NDB and approach charts. Pushing LSK 6R on an ACTIVE FLT PLAN page when temperature compensation is activated, displays the TEMP COMP page. If the landing surface temperature is deleted after the landing surface temperature is entered and temperature compensation is activated, the temperature compensation is canceled and the message TEMP COMP CANCELED is displayed in the scratchpad. The message is not displayed if the landing temperature is deleted prior to activating temperature compensation. If temperature compensation has been activated and then another landing temperature is entered which is outside the valid temperature range, the entry is not accepted and the temperature compensation is not changed.

### Book Notes

Portions of this page can be found in the book International Flight Operations, Part VIII, Chapter 5.

### References

Aeronautical Information Manual

Cold Temperature Restricted Airports, Notices to Airmen, Domestic/International, December 11, 2014.

Gulfstream G450 Aircraft Operating Manual, Revision 35, April 30, 2013.

Gulfstream G450 Aircraft Service Change Number 059B, Enhanced Navigation, December 22, 2011

Honeywell Direct-To Temperature Compensation, Nov 2013, Feb 2014, and Mar 2014

ICAO Doc 8168 - Aircraft Operations - Vol I - Flight Procedures, Procedures for Air Navigation Services, International Civil Aviation Organization, 2006

InFO 15002, Information for Operators, Implementation of cold temperature altitude corrections at "Cold Temperature Restricted Airports" found in Notice to Airmen Publication (NTAP), 2/10/15

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