FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Regulations (14 CFR 117/121/61)Hard
A Part 121 air carrier is planning a domestic flight. The destination airport has a single runway and no instrument approach procedures available. What is the minimum weather forecast for the estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the destination airport that would allow the flight to be dispatched without an alternate airport?
- ANo specific weather minimums are required if no instrument approaches are available.
- BCeiling 1,000 feet and visibility 1 mile.
- CCeiling 1,500 feet and visibility 2 miles.
- DCeiling 2,000 feet and visibility 3 miles.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Ceiling 2,000 feet and visibility 3 miles.
14 CFR 121.619 outlines the conditions for dispatching a flight without a destination alternate. If no instrument approach is available, the forecast weather at the ETA must be at or above 2,000 feet ceiling and 3 miles visibility.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Specific weather minimums are always required for dispatch under Part 121, even if no instrument approaches are available.
- B. These are standard alternate airport minimums for airports with at least one precision approach, not destination minimums without an alternate.
- C. These minimums are not specified in 14 CFR Part 121 for dispatching without an alternate.
121.619 Destination Alternate Rule (No Instrument Approach)
For Part 121 domestic operations, if the destination airport has no instrument approach procedures, an alternate is not required if the forecast weather for the ETA is at or above a 2,000 ft ceiling and 3 miles visibility.
- Applies to Part 121 domestic operations.
- Specific to destinations with no instrument approaches.
- Forecast weather must meet or exceed 2,000 ft ceiling and 3 SM visibility.
Memory trick: Destination's clear, no alternate fear, if it's two thousand up and three miles near.