Takeoff Alternate Airport Requirement
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Takeoff Alternate Airport Requirement
”Takeoff Alternate Airport is required when the takeoff airport weather is at or below landing minimum.”
Does it mean both VISIBILITY and CEILING (below DH) or only the VISIBILITY counts at the takeoff airport?
For example, visibility is good enough (RVR 1200) but the ceiling is at or less than minimum (DH of 200) for CAT I but above CAT II (RA 100) and CAT III (RA 50).
This runway has CAT II & III approach.
Do I need an Takeoff Alternate Airport according to the example above?
Does it mean both VISIBILITY and CEILING (below DH) or only the VISIBILITY counts at the takeoff airport?
For example, visibility is good enough (RVR 1200) but the ceiling is at or less than minimum (DH of 200) for CAT I but above CAT II (RA 100) and CAT III (RA 50).
This runway has CAT II & III approach.
Do I need an Takeoff Alternate Airport according to the example above?
Last edited by ckcrew; 19th Apr 2019 at 02:15.
EU-OPS 1.297
Planning minima for a take-off alternate aerodrome. An operator shall only select an aerodrome as a take-off alternate aerodrome when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts or any combination thereof indicate that, during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome, the weather conditions will be at or above the applicable landing minima specified in accordance with OPS 1.225. The ceiling must be taken into account when the only approaches available are non-precision and/or circling approaches. Any limitation related to one-engine-inoperative operations must be taken into account.
Planning minima for a take-off alternate aerodrome. An operator shall only select an aerodrome as a take-off alternate aerodrome when the appropriate weather reports or forecasts or any combination thereof indicate that, during a period commencing one hour before and ending one hour after the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome, the weather conditions will be at or above the applicable landing minima specified in accordance with OPS 1.225. The ceiling must be taken into account when the only approaches available are non-precision and/or circling approaches. Any limitation related to one-engine-inoperative operations must be taken into account.
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Thank you for your reply.
I am asking about the weather right now at the Takeoff Airport, not the weather at Alternate Airport.
Takeoff airport reports right now “RVR 1200, 200 BKN”
Takeoff airport has ILS Approach :
CAT I - DA(H) 250 (200) / RVR 550
CAT II - RA 100 / RVR 300
CAT III - RA 50 / RVR 175
Looks like I could come back and land at my departure airport with CAT II or III, but CAT I is questionable due to 200 feet ceiling.
Do I need a Takeoff Alternate?
I am asking about the weather right now at the Takeoff Airport, not the weather at Alternate Airport.
Takeoff airport reports right now “RVR 1200, 200 BKN”
Takeoff airport has ILS Approach :
CAT I - DA(H) 250 (200) / RVR 550
CAT II - RA 100 / RVR 300
CAT III - RA 50 / RVR 175
Looks like I could come back and land at my departure airport with CAT II or III, but CAT I is questionable due to 200 feet ceiling.
Do I need a Takeoff Alternate?
No, unless your operations manual specifies otherwise. Minima are listed as both ceiling and visibility because either can be controlling your ability to complete a landing. In your case you mentioned the Cat 2 and 3 minima. If you are low limits qualified and your aircraft can operate to those lower limits then you don’t need to go elsewhere. Unless of course your ability to perform a Cat 2 with a critical failure is compromised.
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No, you are legally not required to select a takeoff alternate with let's say 5km visibility and ILS with higher than standard minima (400ft), even though the weather was 5000 BKN001 and practically you will not be able to return.
Now, practically speaking, it's nevertheless desired to have a plan where to go / what to do.
Now, practically speaking, it's nevertheless desired to have a plan where to go / what to do.
