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Old 4th Sep 2011, 16:20
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Trim Stab
 
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Sufficient fuel to reach an alternate plus at least an hour is a fundamental requirement.
That's not true. There is provision even in ultra-cautious EU/OPS regulations to operate into isolated aerodromes without an alternate. It requires higher weather minimums and supplementary fuel. Section 1.297(b) if you want to look it up.

The Chileans no doubt have their own regulations, and indeed probably have more experience of operating into isolated aerodromes than most EU regulators anyway, given their long experience of operating to their isolated pacific territories.

There is nothing wrong or irresponsible with operating into an isolated aerodrome as long as accurate weather forecasts are available.

Interestingly though, even EU/OPS regulations for operating into isolated aerodromes do not have any requirements for maximimum wind limits (only visibility & cloud base are defined). It is probable that Chilean regulations are derived or are closely analagous to EU/OPS and US regulations, so maybe there is a lesson in there.

Last edited by Trim Stab; 4th Sep 2011 at 16:37.
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