FAA Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA)Regulations and CurrencyHard
An approach chart for an airport shows the notation 'Alternate minimums NA' near the alternate minimums box. A pilot wants to use this airport as a filed alternate for an upcoming IFR flight. What does this notation mean for planning purposes?
- AThe airport may be used as an alternate only during daylight hours
- BThe airport may be used as an alternate only if weather exceeds standard 600-2/800-2 minimums
- CThe airport requires special aircrew authorization to use as an alternate
- DThe airport cannot be used as an alternate under any weather conditions
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. The airport cannot be used as an alternate under any weather conditions
'Alternate minimums NA' (Not Authorized) means the procedure cannot be used to qualify the airport as an alternate at all, regardless of forecast weather conditions, typically due to lack of weather reporting or facility limitations required for alternate use.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — NA is not a day/night restriction; it fully prohibits alternate use.
- B. Incorrect — NA means the airport is unusable as an alternate, not merely subject to higher minimums.
- C. Incorrect — no special crew authorization exception exists for NA alternate minimums.
Alternate Minimums NA
An 'NA' notation for alternate minimums means the airport cannot be used as an alternate airport under any conditions.
- Often due to lack of weather reporting equipment
- Different from approach-only NA notations
- Pilot must select a different airport entirely as alternate
Memory trick: NA on alternates means 'Not an option' — pick a different airport.