A320 FMGS questions...
It might be a better idea (if you have an ACARS box) to find out which nearby airports have suitable weather, no high terrain and whether your favorite alternate has at least two different approaches in your database. Can you quickly call Dispatch on the #2 radio? An A-320 pilot with my company diverted this spring from ORD and found out that at FWA they were near a crosswind limit, based on the approaches in their database.
Before you even takeoff for an airport with a not so good forecast, glance at your Dispatcher's paperwork and notice whether other enroute or airports near the dest. have good forecasts. Have an idea enroute about the primary approaches and whether the main runway(s) have the full length available, and whether the ILS etc is operating. Be aware of mountain airports and others which have lakes nearby-unforecast fog can easily develop, and one of these (Kalispell, MT) has no operating control tower when large jets come in at night.
You can play 'Cost Index Luke Skywalker' all you want, if you have tons of fuel and time to spare. With unforecast fog or a thunderstorm (an aircraft lands gear up or blows a tire [i.e. an F-5 at Homestead AFB] It will be stuck for a while) etc, you might barely make it to an unfamiliar airport with the available fuel, and need to decide first of all, which way and how high to go.
Before you even takeoff for an airport with a not so good forecast, glance at your Dispatcher's paperwork and notice whether other enroute or airports near the dest. have good forecasts. Have an idea enroute about the primary approaches and whether the main runway(s) have the full length available, and whether the ILS etc is operating. Be aware of mountain airports and others which have lakes nearby-unforecast fog can easily develop, and one of these (Kalispell, MT) has no operating control tower when large jets come in at night.
You can play 'Cost Index Luke Skywalker' all you want, if you have tons of fuel and time to spare. With unforecast fog or a thunderstorm (an aircraft lands gear up or blows a tire [i.e. an F-5 at Homestead AFB] It will be stuck for a while) etc, you might barely make it to an unfamiliar airport with the available fuel, and need to decide first of all, which way and how high to go.
