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Alternate Minimums

Flight Planning (not landing)

The alternate minimums that must be forecast at the ETA for an airport that has a precision approach is a ceiling of 600' and visibility of 2 statute miles. fbn

91.169(b)(2)(ii) Helicopters: alternate NOT required if...

At the estimated time of arrival and for

1 hour after the estimated time of arrival,

the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet above the airport elevation, or at least 400 feet above the lowest applicable approach minima, whichever is higher,

and the visibility will be at least 2 statute miles. fbn

criteria for filing an alternate airport

other than helicopters 91.169(c)(1)(i)

  • forecast at ETA meets one of these limitations:
    1. precision: 600 ft ceiling, 2 SM visibility
    2. non-precision: 800 ft ceiling, 2SM visibility
    3. no IAP: allowing descent from the MEA, approach, and landing under basic VFR

heli 91.169(c)(1)(ii)

  1. Ceiling 200 feet above the minimum for the approach to be flown
  2. visibility at least 1 statute mile but never less than the minimum visibility for the approach to be flown
  3. no IAP: allowing descent from the MEA, approach, and landing under basic VFR

see also