Alternate Notams
I would like to resolve an issue concerning the legal requirement for Notams and AIS information to be obtained at the planning stage for the declared alternate on the ATC flight plan.
Is it a requirement to have Notams for the declared alternate in the ATC flight plan or is it sufficient to have notams to cover the alternate chosen by the commander at the preflight stage; given that the alternate chosen is suitable and weather and sufficient diversion fuel has been obtained?
Many company computer flight plans list a number of alternates and my view is that any one can be chosen in the preflight stage (or during flight of course) and this is perfectly satisfactory if fuel,weather and notams are in order.
I was recently told by an official that Notams for the alternate in the filed ATC flight plan had to be produced by dispatch and if they were not then another flight plan had to be filed for an airport where notams were available notwithstanding that other suitable alternates with notams were available at the same time.
EUR OPS 1 state very simply that "appropriate notam/AIS information should be available" and leave it at that as far as I can tell.
Clarification on this rather fine point would be welcome.