NO Instrument App/NO TAF - Alternate ?

[mmm345]

Yes i agree its a very confusing topic with conflicting information.

As you state above 11.7.3.2 is under the Radio Nav aids section, BUT, this same quote is repeated under Weather Conditions section ( 11.72.12 C).

For a destination without an IAP, the alt minima is LSALT + 5 and 8km visibility.

Note, the line referring to " where an aerodrome forecast is unaviable or is provisional, suitable alternate must be planned" is Clause B which begins with " For aerodromes with an IAP"- as the aerodrome forecast is used to be aligned to the alt minima on the IAP chart, which obviosuly isnt applicable to a destination without a published IAP chart, hence clause B begins with " For aerodromes with an IAP".

Heres a hypotheical situation: Planning a IFR charter from Bankstown to Cessnock ( AD north of Sydney near Williamtown).

Cessnock does not have any published IAP, nor nav aids, Nor TAF- however is quite a busy training a GA airport.

By day ( refer ENR 1.10 -1.4.1)- you can plan to a non IAP destination IFR if firstly you can navigate to the destination via an area navigation syste ( ie. GNSS) or visual reference ( since there are no nav aids at the destination ( ENR 1.1 4.1.1 IFR Navigation). So we can fly to the destination, but do we need an alternate.

ENR 1.10 states to refer to the alternate minima in ENR 1.1 11.7.2.12. In this reference, we refer to Clause C), since there is no published IAL chart. It states the Alternate minima is LSALT+5 and 8km visibility for the final route segment. Since the last route segment will probbley be via a waypoint MAKOR, the last route segment is well outside a TAF 5nm bubble ( irresepective of the fact we dont even have a TAF at Cessnock). Hence we consult the GAF for the area and see the lowest cloud we can expect is hypoteically FEW clouds 5000/ 7000, which happens to be above our final routes segment LSALT+500ft. Visibility isnt a problem based on the GAF.

So, we dont need an alternate since we are above the alternate minima for weather conditions. Is there any other things that may make us rewuire an alternate., consult ENR 1.1 approximatly page 90. Navaids alternates- not required since weather is better than LSALT +5 and 8km vis. Lighting- not a factor as daytime.

Therfore, we can plan an IFR flight to Cessnock without an alternate. By consulting ENR 1.5, when there is no published IAL chart, our landing minima will be the visual approach requirements by day. To land at this destination, paraphrasing the visual approach requirements, we will ensure that from an altitude not below the LSALT/MSA ( we could potentially use the Maitland 25nm MSA) or a pilot calculated/ grid LSALT, we are within 30nm,we have 5km vis, are clear of cloud and in continuous sight of ground and water, once this is acheived, we can commence a visual approach to Cessnock by DAY.

Now, lets consider if we are conducting this flight at night. ENR 1.10 states that we must have an alternate ( no ifs or buts), and we cant even do the flight if MTOW > 5700kg. Thus, we dont even need to consider the alternate factors in ENR 1.1 ( weather, aids, lighting etc) since before this is even considered, IFR to a non IAP destination at NIGHT must have an alternate. However, we must check the alternate factors such as Weather, aids, lighting etc when checking that our alternate doesnt actually require an alternate itself.

ENR 1.5 states that the landing minima will be VMC from LSALT within 3nm.
ENR 1.10 states that to conduct a landing at a non IAP destination at night ( Cessnock), we will fly at or above the LSALT until within 3n,. Once within 3nm,and with the aerodrome visually identified and able to maintain VMC, we can manouvere to land within a circling area of 3nm.


This provides a clear exam of how you can fly to a non IAP, Non TAF aerodrome , both by day and night, with compliance to the alternate requirements in ENR 1.1 and 1.10. Note, my example sees an alternate not rwquired by day, but is rewquired by night , cant be even conducted if above 5700kg at night.

Does anyone see if im missing something major here or got something very wrong??.