Can you file an airport without an approach as an alternate?


Can you file an airport without an approach as an alternate? This is the ol' 1-2-3 rule. There are a couple of gotchas. If your destination has no approach, an alternate is always required. Curiously, though, the alternate need not have an instrument approach if the weather allows a descent from MEA under basic VFR, assuming the airport isn't otherwise disqualified.


Can an airport with only a GPS approach be used as an alternate?

So you can file with the destination or the alternate having only a GPS approach, but not both. WAAS-equipped aircraft can file for destinations and alternates having only GPS approaches. In both cases, the weather at the time of arrival must satisfy the LNAV or circling minimums or higher if noted.


What airports can never be used as alternates?

Airports without weather reporting, or approaches with unmonitored approach equipment, can't be used as an alternate.


What is the 3585 rule in aviation?

1) Exemption 3585 allows the Flight Follower to release a flight to an airport or alternate when the TAF indicates, through the conditional statements (TEMPO, PROB, BECMG) that the weather could be below authorized landing minimums at the estimated time of arrival.


How far away can an alternate airport be?

Not more than one hour from the departure airport at normal cruising speed in still air with one engine inoperative. (2) Aircraft having three or more engines. Not more than two hours from the departure airport at normal cruising speed in still air with one engine inoperative.


What is the 3 1 rule for descent?

In aviation, the rule of three or 3:1 rule of descent is a rule of thumb that 3 nautical miles (5.6 km) of travel should be allowed for every 1,000 feet (300 m) of descent. For example, a descent from flight level 350 would require approximately 35x3=105 nautical miles.