TERPS circling protected area

[aterpster]

main dog:

Hi everyone, a quick question for you FAA TERPS experts: as long as I can recall the protected area for Cat D circling aircraft was based on a 2.3 nm radius from the runway and 300' obstacle clearance. Recently whilst reviewing for a checkride I noticed my company Operations Manual now states that the protected area under TERPS for Cat D is 3.7 nm.

Has there been a recent change I was not aware of, or have I found an error in our sacred book?

It hasn't happened yet. At the last FAA/Industry Charting Forum they have finally agreed on the charting symbology that will be placed on an IAP that is in compliance with the new criteria, because the transition will likely take years (10 years in my estimation).

But, some housekeeping tasks remained to be done on the details of the chart symbology and how to best inform the aviation community.
So, for the time being (a very long time being in my view) it remains 1.7 for CAT C; 2.3 for CAT D.

When it does happen incrementally the areas will increase somewhat with airport elevation, thus a table explaining that in the AIP has to be finalized. 3.7 is a good ballpark figure for the incrementally future Cat D circling area.

Also, I am jaded, and still believe FAA internal politics will keep any of this from happening. I hope I am wrong.