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 On December 30, 1997, the FAA said that it established a mandatory review for significant terrain features as part of its biennial review process. The FAA stated that Order 8260.19C, "Flight Procedures and Airspace," section 8, includes procedures for reviews of instrument procedures, which are to be conducted every 2 years or more frequently when deemed necessary. According to the FAA, the reviews are to be conducted in accordance with Order 8260.3B, "United States Standard Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS)," chapter 3, "Takeoff and Landing Minimums." Paragraph 323a, "Precipitous Terrain," states that "when procedures are designed for use in areas characterized by precipitous terrain, in or outside of designated mountainous area, consideration must be given to induced altimeter errors and pilot control problems which result when winds of 20 knots or more move over such terrain." The paragraph also states that, for areas in which these conditions are known to exist, the required obstacle clearance in the final approach segment should be increased.

The FAA added that Order 8260.19C stated that user comments should be solicited to obtain the best available local information to ensure that requirements for obstacle clearance, navigational guidance, safety, and practicality were met. The FAA also indicated that, on June 2, 1997, it reemphasized the procedures to be followed when conducting a periodic review of an instrument procedure. According to the FAA, the procedures require that obstacles, including terrain, be considered as potential precipitous terrain when developing or amending a standard instrument approach procedure and that these obstacles are to be evaluated and appropriate adjustments are to be made according to existing FAA orders and guidelines. The procedures also require that discussion and coordination with the users, airline safety departments, and pilot labor organizations are included in the review process.

On April 7, 1998, the Safety Board noted that the FAA had established a mandatory review for significant terrain features as part of its biennial review process. The Board also noted that the FAA had reemphasized that these procedures be followed when conducting a periodic review of an instrument procedure. Because these actions met the intent of Safety Recommendation A-96-132, it was classified "ClosedAcceptable Action."

Safety Recommendation A-96-133 asked the FAA to

Solicit and record user comments about difficulties encountered in flying a particular approach to evaluate approach design accurately.

On February 24, 1997, the FAA stated that it would "invite airspace users to comment on dangerous approaches." On June 11, 1997, the FAA said that it had sent letters to various organizations, including the Allied Pilots Association, ALPA, the Air Transport Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, to request comments and concerns from their members regarding instrument flight procedures.

On September 8, 1997, the Safety Board stated that it had received copies of the letters from the industry organizations that had responded to the FAA's letter. Because the