A pilot is planning an IFR flight to an alternate airport for which the standard alternate minimums apply. What are these standard minimums for an airport with a precision approach?
- A600-foot ceiling and 2 statute miles visibility.
- B2,000-foot ceiling and 3 statute miles visibility.
- C800-foot ceiling and 2 statute miles visibility.
- DThe published approach minimums for the precision approach.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 600-foot ceiling and 2 statute miles visibility.
For an alternate airport to be listed on an IFR flight plan, if it has a precision approach, the forecast weather at the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) must indicate a ceiling of at least 600 feet and visibility of at least 2 statute miles (600-2). If only non-precision approaches are available, the minimums are 800-2.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. These are standard IFR takeoff minimums for Part 91, not alternate minimums.
- C. These are the standard alternate minimums for an airport with only non-precision approaches.
- D. The published approach minimums are for the approach itself, not for designating an airport as an alternate.
Standard Alternate Minimums (Part 91)
For an alternate airport to be designated on an IFR flight plan under Part 91, the forecast weather at the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) must meet specific minimums: 600-foot ceiling and 2 SM visibility for airports with a precision approach, or 800-foot ceiling and 2 SM visibility for airports with only non-precision approaches.
- Precision Approach: 600-foot ceiling, 2 SM visibility.
- Non-Precision Approach: 800-foot ceiling, 2 SM visibility.
- Forecast weather must meet these at ETA.
- These are for planning purposes, not actual approach minimums.
Memory trick: 6-2 for Precision, 8-2 for Non-Precision!