When can an airport not be used as an alternate?


When can an airport not be used as an alternate? An airport may not be qualified for alternate use if the airport NAVAID is unmonitored, is Global Positioning System (GPS) based, or if it does not have weather reporting capabilities.


What is alternate rule?

14 CFR 91.169 (b) (2) (i) states that an alternate airport is not required if “for at least 1 hour before and for 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival the ceiling will be at least 2000 feet above the airport elevation and the visibility will be at least 3 statute miles.” To help remember those conditions of the ...


Can you depart IFR from an airport without an approach?

There's no takeoff clearance needed without a tower, but until you get the OK, the release, from approach, you can't depart IFR. So you'll then readback that clearance and they'll say “Cessna 9334H readback correct advise ready for departure.” And they may ask you which runway you're going to depart from.


Can you overfly an airport?

If you do overfly the airport, you'll want to do it at 500-1000 feet above the traffic pattern. And while you're overflying, you also want to make radio calls on CTAF, announcing your current position, as well as what you're planning to do.


Can you use an airport with no instrument 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.


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.


Does ATC know your alternate?

ATC receives only your filed destination, not the alternate. This is why ATC has to ask where a pilot wants to divert. To give ATC a heads up on where you want to go, you can write it in the remarks section, which is transmitted to ATC.