A pilot is planning an instrument flight. The destination airport has a published RNAV (GPS) approach. The approach plate shows the 'NA' symbol (a black N/A in a triangle) in the notes section. What does this symbol indicate regarding the airport's suitability as an alternate?
- AThe airport is not authorized as an alternate airport because the RNAV (GPS) approach is not WAAS-enabled.
- BThe airport is not authorized as an alternate airport due to specific conditions, and alternate minimums are not provided.
- CThe airport is not authorized as an alternate airport due to lack of weather reporting.
- DThe airport is authorized as an alternate, but non-standard alternate minimums apply.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. The airport is not authorized as an alternate airport due to specific conditions, and alternate minimums are not provided.
The 'NA' symbol (a black N/A in a triangle) in the notes section of an approach plate indicates that the specific approach cannot be used for qualifying the airport as an alternate airport. This is often due to unmonitored facilities, lack of specific weather reporting, or other operational limitations that prevent it from meeting alternate airport requirements, and therefore no alternate minimums are provided for it.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. WAAS capability is not the sole determinant for the 'NA' symbol; it applies to various reasons for not being a suitable alternate.
- C. While lack of weather reporting can be a reason, the 'NA' symbol broadly means the approach cannot be used for alternate planning, not just due to weather reporting.
- D. Non-standard alternate minimums are indicated by an 'A' in a black triangle, not 'NA'.
NA Symbol (Alternate Airport)
The 'NA' symbol (black N/A in a triangle) on an instrument approach plate signifies that the specific approach procedure is not authorized for use in qualifying the airport as an alternate airport. This is typically due to factors like unmonitored facilities or lack of weather reporting.
- Indicates approach cannot be used to qualify airport as alternate.
- Reasons vary (e.g., unmonitored facility, lack of weather reporting).
- No alternate minimums are provided for such approaches.
Memory trick: NA Means No Alternative for This Approach.