Document
ORDER 8260.32G National Policy Effe ctive Date: 11/15/2023 SUBJ: U.S . Air Force Terminal Instrument Procedures Service This order prescribes standardized methods for terminal instrument procedure development and maintenance services provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the United States Air Force (USAF) at domestic airports in the United States and its territories where the FAA has instrument procedure design authority. It is to be used by all personnel responsible for the preparation, approval, and promulgation of these IFPs.
Wesley L. Mooty Acting Deputy Executive Director, Flight Standards Service Distribution: Electronic Distribution Initiated By: AFS - 400 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Chapter 1. General Information Section 1-1. General Purpose of T his O rder. This order provides guidance to all personnel in the administration of the Flight Procedures and Airspace Program. It defines responsibilities regarding terminal instrument procedure development and maintenance service provided by the FAA for the USAF at domestic airports where the FAA has instrument procedure design authority under Department of Transportation (DOT), FAA, Department of Defense (DoD), and USAF Memorandum of Agreement effective July 7, 1978. This order contains guidance that is pertinent to Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations, (14 CFR) Part 97, Standard Instrument Procedures.
Audience. All personnel responsible for procedures services provided by the FAA to the USAF.
Where Can I Find This Order? You can find this order on the FAA's web site .
What This Order Cancels. Order 8260.32F U. S. Air Force Terminal Instrument Procedures Service.
Explanation of Policy Changes.
a. General. All content throughout the document is changed.
b. Chapter 2.
(1) Established chapter 2 as an administrative chapter and moved all procedural content to the newly established chapter 4.
(2) Established Headquarters Air Force Flight Standard Agency TERPS Division (AFFSA TERPS) as the POC for all IFP request from the USAF or Air National Guard Bureau (NGB) to the FAA at civil airports or at joint-use airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development.
(3) Clarified request for a High Altitude Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) must conform to criteria in Order 8260.3 and must not be requested when it can be promulgated as a 14 CFR part 97 IAP.
c. Chapter 3.
(1) Identified Service Center Flight Procedures Team (FPT) as a participant in the process when AFFSA TERPS request production, amendment, or cancelation of an IFP by the FAA at civil airports or at joint-use airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development.
(2) Clarified responsibilities, authorities, and communication requirements between Aeronautical Information Services, AFFSA TERPS, and Service Center FPT.
1-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G (3) Moved all procedural content to the newly established chapter 4.
d. Chapter 4.
(1) Updated processing flow diagram to incorporate the current office symbols and routing codes to reflect current FAA organizational structure.
(2) Introduced the IFP Information Gateway as the primary means to for AFFSA TERPS to request the development, amendment, or cancelation of an IFP and to track the FAA’s progress during the development process.
(3) Introduced required IFP Request Form supplemental information from AFFSA TERPS to the FAA for expeditious processing and tracking of USAF requested IFPs.
(4) Consolidated current supplemental Aeronautical Information Services processing guidance to Order 8260.3 and Order 8260.19, Flight Procedures and Airspace, for requested High Altitude, Contingency or Emergency IFPs.
e. Appendix A. Updated address/telephone on point-of-contact listing as necessary.
f. Appendix B.
(1) Updated and incorporated the current office symbols and routing codes to reflect current FAA organizational structure used with in this document.
(2) Clarified in definition the required use of High Altitude Instrument Approach Procedure design criteria in the development of a High Altitude Instrument Approach Procedure.
(3) Introduced the definition of a Terminal Amendment System (TAS) letter.
(4) Removed the identified forms used for the development of USAF requested IFPs at domestic civil airports. These forms are identified in other more pertinent FAA orders.
1-2 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Chapter 2. Administrative Section 2-1.
General. The FAA formulates, coordinates with the military and industry, and when applicable publishes any IFPs as requested by the Air Force Flight Standard Agency TERPS Division (AFFSA TERPS) to meet military requirements of the USAF or National Guard Bureau (NGB) at domestic airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development. AFFSA TERPS validates and coordinates requests on behalf of the USAF and NGB with the FAA to develop, amend, or cancel IFPs. Additional responsibilities for the publication of high altitude instrument approach procedures are found within this order.
AFFSA TERPS IFP Request. All request to develop, amend or cancel procedures at airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development will be submitted through the IFP Information Gateway as outlined in chapter 4. When AFFSA TERPS requests the FAA to develop or amend an IFP at airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development, requests must be prioritized in the following order as needed to minimize impact on instrument procedure development workload and promote procedure’s use for the widest aviation audience possible: a. Contingency/Emergency IFPs. Contingency/emergency IFPs are intended for a short duration (typically less than one year) and established as special instrument procedures as outlined in Order 8260.60, Special Procedures. These procedures must not be published in the DoD Flight Information Publications and Flight Information Products (FLIP) by National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). AFFSA will identify the intended users and cancelation date of these procedures when submitting an IFP requested.
b. Instrument Approach Procedure (IAP) or Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) Modification or development.
(1) Without adversely affecting civil users, request modification of an existing IAP or ODP processed under 14 CFR part 97 (e.g., addition of Category (CAT) E minima, Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) capability, etc.).
(2) If modification of an existing IAP or ODP will adversely affect civil users, request development of a new IAP or ODP processed under 14 CFR part 97 pursuant to the military users’ request (e.g., develop a TACAN IAP).
(3) If a 14 CFR part 97 IAP is unable to be amended or developed to meet military high descent gradient requirements, a high altitude IAP may be developed in accordance with Order 8260.3. A request for a high altitude IAP must conform to criteria in Order 8260.3 and must not be requested when a 14 CFR part 97 IAP can be promulgated to meet military aviation requirements in lieu of a high altitude IAP.
c. Standard Instrument Departure (SID) or Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) modification or development. The request for modification or development must be coordinated through the servicing FAA approach control facility or FAA Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) as applicable for concurrence prior to submitting the request.
2-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Waivers/Approval requests. The USAF will not process any waivers or approval requests for deviations to TERPS criteria for IFPs developed by Aeronautical Information Services in accordance with this order. When designing an IFP for the USAF at a domestic airports where the FAA is responsible for IFP development that does not conform to TERPS criteria, Aeronautical Information Services will complete and process all required waiver/approval actions in accordance with Order 8260.19, Flight Procedures and Airspace.
Notices to Air Missions (NOTAM). When Aeronautical Information Services issues a NOTAM for an existing civil instrument procedure, they must review all published high altitude IAPs developed for the USAF at the same airport to determine whether corresponding NOTAM action is required. Aeronautical Information Services must issue a separate FDC NOTAM for each effected procedure and notify AFFSA TERPS.
Point of Contact (POC) Information. For any coordination, request, or notification to or from other agencies, use the POC information in Appendix A, table A-1.
Records. All parties will maintain a paper or digital copy of all records as required that support all IFPs developed, maintained, and canceled for the USAF and NGB.
2-2 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Chapter 3. Responsibilities Section 3-1. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and Air Force Flight Standards Agency (AFFSA) Responsibilities Aeronautical Information Services.
a. When amending civil IFPs for maintenance activities, ensure corresponding high altitude IAPs at the same airport have also been coordinated as required for changes.
b. Load all applicable completed 8260-series forms and the Flight Procedure Tracking Form to the IFP Information Gateway for AFFSA TERPS processing and or comments. Always include a flight inspection graphic (FIG) when establishing or amending high altitude IAPs.
c. Coordinate flight inspection with the Flight Program Operations Mission Technical Support Group on all requested IFPs from the USAF. See Order JO 8200.44, Flight Inspection Services Instrument Flight Procedure Coordination.
d. Specify a publication date concurrent with other affected procedures to ensure compatibility with facility schedules, airspace activity, and the charting cycle via the IFP Information Gateway .
e. Perform a post-production FLIP review of the NGA charted FAA IFPs to ensure the publication meets the FAA’s intentions and notify AFFSA TERPS of findings. Charting date of the FAA procedure will be found in the courtesy copy Terminal Amendment System (TAS) letter sent to the NGA.
f. Provide AFFSA TERPS a two-year biennial review forecast for all high altitude IAPs developed by the FAA at the request of the USAF every January.
g. Provide AFFSA TERPS read only access to the active procedure files for record keeping purposes.
Air Force Flight Standards Agency TERPS Division.
a. Manage and process USAF request for high altitude IAP charting in the DoD FLIP.
b. Coordinate with the requesting stakeholders to ensure user needs are met through the development, amendment, and/or cancelation of IAPs as outlined in chapter 2 and track the POC information of the IFP requestor.
c. Sign the “ENDORSED BY” space on the applicable FAA form indicating USAF acceptance of high altitude IAPs as designed by the FAA. Acceptance indicates the appropriate USAF agencies outside AFFSA TERPS have been coordinated with and concur on the high altitude IAPs or amendments.
3-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G d. For high altitude IAPs courtesy copy Aeronautical Information Services on all processing actions to include signed signature page(s) of the applicable FAA form(s), and TAS letter sent to NGA.
e. When the USAF is unable to meet a required effective publication date on a FAA amended or original high altitude IAP, AFFSA TERPS must notify Aeronautical Information Services, who must initiate appropriate NOTAM action.
f. When Aeronautical Information Services sends two-year biennial review forecasts to AFFSA TERPS, validate the requirement to maintain high altitude IAPs with the original requestors one calendar year in advance of the biennial review due date. If unable to reconcile, take the following actions: (1) Coordinate NOTAM action with Aeronautical Information Services stating, “Procedure Not Authorized, contact AFFSA TERPS at HQAFFSA.TERPS.Standards@us.af.mil. ” (2) After six 28-day publication cycles and no requestor confirmation, take action to remove the procedure from the DoD FLIP.
g. Coordinate with Aeronautical Information Services for the biennial review results of contingency, emergency, or high altitude IAPs developed at the request of the USAF if the results are not added to the active procedures files 30 days past the biennial review due date. If the biennial review was not completed, the procedure must be removed from DoD publications and coordinated with Aeronautical Information Services for cancelation.
Service Center Flight Procedures Teams.
a. When developing, amending, and canceling civil IFPs, also develop, amend, and cancel corresponding high altitude IAPs at the same airport as appropriate, and coordinate required changes with AFFSA TERPS.
b. Changes or cancelations to IFPs requested by the USAF must be coordinated with AFFSA TERPS.
c. Ensure all IFPs developed at the request of the USAF include the POC information of the requestor as provided by AFFSA TERPS via the IFP Request Form . Coordinate with Aeronautical Information Services to have the POC information annotation on the applicable 8260-series form.
3-2 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Chapter 4. Processing Section 4-1.
General. USAF request for the design, amendment, or cancelation of high altitude, contingency, or emergency IFPs will be in accordance with this order. For the design, amendment, or cancelation of all other IFPs per USAF request, Refer to Order 8260.43 and Order 8260.19 in conjunction with paragraph 2-1-2 for the order of precedence for request.
Figure 4-1-1 provides a flow diagram of the procedure request and development process for the USAF request of IFPs.
Figure 4-1-1. USAF IFP Processing Flow Diagram Development, Amendment, or Cancelation of IFP(s). Requests for development, amendment, or cancelation of all IFP(s) from AFFSA TERPS must be submitted on an electronic IFP Request Form via the Instrument Flight Procedures Information Gateway (IFP Information Gateway) . The appropriate Service Center FPT, after initial airspace analysis, will coordinate the request with the IFP Validation Team. Upon IFP Validation Team’s concurrence, the request will be forwarded to the IFP Prioritization Team and then to the appropriate Aeronautical Information Services’ team for technical development service. The developing team must coordinate any changes to the original request, with the USAF TERPS office and the FPT.
a. The IFP Request Form must contain a detailed description of the procedure design or revisions requested and any additional supporting information as outlined on the form.
Additionally, include the following supplemental information on the request form: (1) Include the requesting USAF unit’s POC information to AFFSA TERPS for the establishment, amendment, or cancelation of the IFP to include organizational email address, commercial phone number, and name.
4-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G (2) For SIDs and STARs, provide the servicing FAA approach control facility or ARTCC as applicable POC information to include email address, phone number, and name of the FAA personnel who the pre-coordination was conducted with in the remarks section.
(3) Identify the need if circling minima is required. Circling minima will not be provided if not specifically requested.
(4) For high altitude IAP(s): (a) Request establishment of an emergency safe altitude (ESA) in addition to minimum safe/sector-altitudes (MSA) in the remarks section.
(b) Identify the required category(s) of landing minimums, CAT C through E only.
b. The IFP Information Gateway may be used to track the status of the project. The “IFP Information Gateway instructional video” is available on the website home page for a functional explanation and a guide for full access to the website.
In addition to Order 8260.3 and Order 8260.19, Aeronautical Information Services must use the following supplemental guidance for the development and processing of USAF requested high altitude, contingency, or emergency IFPs: a. Prepare applicable FAA forms with the following modifications and emphasis: (1) Ensure the form title includes “U.S. Air Force.” (2) For high altitude procedures, do not refer to the inoperative component table.
However, add a note to each line of minima, where applicable, indicating the visibility increase required for inoperative approach lights (e.g., “For inoperative ALS, increase S-29 CAT C and CAT D RVR to 6000, visibility to 1¼ SM; CAT E visibility to 1½ SM.”). When multiple straight-in minimums are published, use an attention symbol (e.g., an asterisk, to denote which minimums the note(s) applies).
(3) CAT E decision altitude (DA)/minimum decent altitude (MDA) must not be lower than those published for CAT D.
(4) Specify charting of any special use airspace areas in accordance with Order 8260.19 that overlie or underlie procedure tracks.
(5) Establish an ESA and document ESA data on the same line following MSA (i.e., “ESA within 100 NM 10,800.”).
(6) Preface all high altitude procedure titles with “HI-” (e.g., “HI-TACAN RWY 31,” “HI-ILS or LOC RWY 31,” etc.) and an alphabetical suffix “S” through “Z” as appropriate when more than one procedure to the same runway uses the same type of navigation system for lateral guidance within the final approach segment.
4-2 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Appendix A. Address/Telephone Listings Table A-1. POC Listing ADDRESS AREA Aeronautical Information Services, AJV - 5 Worldwide P.O. Box 25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125 Primary: 405-954-8923 Secondary: 405-954-8770 AMC-AJV-IFP-ProdCoordTeam@faa.gov AIS 24/7 NOTAM Office 405-954-8260.
HQ AFFSA/XO TERPS Worldwide Bldg. 8400, Rm 232 5316 South Douglas Blvd Oklahoma City, OK 73150 HQAFFSA.TERPS.Standards@us.af.mil Commercial: 405-739-8500 DSN: 339-8500 Eastern Flight Procedures Team, AJV-E24 TEBW, TEDC, TEJX, TEMA, TENY, TETL 1701 Columbia Ave College Park, GA 30337 AJV-E24-TM@faa.gov 404-305-5940 Central Flight Procedures Team, AJV-C24 TCAU, TCFW, TCHU, TCIM, TCKC, TCMP, TCOB, 10101 Hillwood Parkway TCAB Fort Worth, TX 78177 AJV-C24-TM@faa.gov 817-222-5900 Western Flight Procedures Team, AJV-W24 TWAN, TWSE, TWLC, TWDV, TWOA, TWLA, TWHG th 2200 S. 216 Street Des Moines, WA 98198-6547 AJV-W24-TM@faa.gov 425-917-6720 A-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G Appendix B. Administrative Information 1. Distribution. This order is distributed electronically only.
2. Background. Order 8260.3 chapter 1 provides that where a military requirement has been established, a request for an instrument approach and/or departure procedure must be approved if the minimum standards within that paragraph are met. Under Order 8260.3 chapter 1 the military must request the FAA to develop procedures to meet their requirements where existing FAA approach and/or departure procedures at airports where the FAA has procedure design authority do not suffice. These requirements may be met by modification of an existing FAA procedure or development of a new procedure. Military requirements must be compatible with airspace availability, NAVAIDs, and ATC requirements.
b. Basic criteria for developing IFPs. Order 8260.3 and other associated 8260-series orders provide the basic criteria for developing instrument flight procedures. Additional policy guidance is contained in this order and Order 8260.19.
c. Procedures services. Procedure services provided to the USAF by the FAA include development and maintenance of high and low IFPs, contingency/emergency procedures, criteria waivers, and NOTAM service for these procedures at domestic civil airports.
d. Supporting aeronautical charts. Aeronautical charts to support USAF procedures are created by the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, St. Louis, Missouri, and forwarded to the FAA Aeronautical Information Services for inclusion in the FAA TPPs.
3. Definitions.
a. Contingency/Emergency procedures. IFPs required to support USAF operations defined by an urgent requirement to fly short-notice, humanitarian, contingency, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), “special” access, and urgent State Department missions.
b. Flight Programs Operations (FPO). The FAA office responsible for scheduling and coordinating flight inspection of instrument procedures and navigation aids in support of the National Airspace System (NAS) and Department of Defense (DoD) flight operations.
c. Flight Procedures Team (FPT). The ATO Service Area Operations Support Group element responsible for initial processing of requests for instrument flight procedure development. The FPT also serves as the IFP Validation Team chairperson, in accordance with Order 8260.43, Flight Procedures Management Program.
d. Headquarters Air Force Flight Standards Agency (HQ AFFSA). The USAF office responsible for all program and policy matters related to instrument procedures and air traffic control services for the USAF, NGB and United States Space Force. It is also the focal point for all USAF and NGB instrument flight concerns including pilot procedures, instrument procedure design criteria, and TERPS program management.
e. High Altitude Instrument Procedure. A terminal instrument procedure that usually begins (approach) at or above 18000 ft mean sea level (FL 180). The beginning altitude may be lower to B-1 11/15/2023 Order 8260.32G achieve compatibility with airspace constraints and optimum traffic flows but must conform to the requirements as outlined in Order 8260.3.
f. Aeronautical Information Services, AJV-A. The FAA office responsible for development, maintenance, quality control, technical approval, production, and distribution of public-use instrument procedures for the United States and its territories.
g. Aeronautical Data Team (ADT), AJV-A31. The FAA headquarters office responsible for maintenance of all data necessary to support the NAS and for the compilation, validation, and dissemination of all aeronautical information relating to the NAS.
h. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). The DoD aeronautical charting agency having primary responsibility for all military cartographic matters and aeronautical information products.
i. Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) Validation Team. A team established at each FAA Service Center under Order 8260.43 for the purpose of coordinating and processing requests for new or modified flight procedures and related airspace matters.
j. Terminal Procedures Publications (TPPs). A set of bound United States government flight information publications containing civil and military instrument approach, departure, and arrival charts as well as selected airport diagrams for the United States and its possessions.
k. Terminal Amendment System (TAS) letter. A tasking letter provided by the USAF or NGB TERPS office to the NGA submitting new IFPs, changes to existing IFPs, and deletion of IFPs in the DoD FLIP.
4. Suggestions for Improvements. Please forward all comments on deficiencies, clarifications, or improvements regarding the contents of this order to: a. The Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov or b. Flight Technologies and Procedures Division at 9-AWA-AFS400-COORD@faa.gov .
Your suggestions are welcome. FAA Form 1320-19 , Directive Feedback Information, is located at the end of this order for your convenience.
B-2 Directive Feedback Information Please submit any written comments or recommendation for improving this directive, or suggest new items or subjects to be added to it. Also, if you find an error, please tell us about it.
Subject: FAA Order 8260.32G, U.S. Air Force Terminal Instrument Procedures Service To: 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov and/or 9-AWA-AFS400-COORD@faa.gov (Please mark all appropriate line items) ☐ An error (procedural or typographical) has been noted in paragraph ____ on page ____.
☐ Recommend paragraph _______ on page _______ be changed as follows: (attach separate sheet if necessary) ☐ In a future change to this order, please include coverage on the following subject: (briefly describe what you want added.)
☐ Other comments: ☐ I would like to discuss the above. Please contact me.
Submitted by: __________________________________ Date: __________________ Telephone Number: __________________ Routing Symbol: _________________ FAA Form 1320-19 (08/21) Supersedes Previous Edition