Flight Dispatcher Generic Training Course, 2007 Edition

Updates, Amendments and Revisions

Add the following text to section 1.10: Instrument Flight Rules:

No PIC of an aircraft shall include an alternate aerodrome in an IFR flight plan or IFR flight itinerary unless available weather information indicates that the ceiling and visibility at the alternate aerodrome will, at the expected time of arrival, be at or above the alternate aerodrome weather minima specified in the CAP:

a) Where there are two or more usable precision approaches, each providing straight in minima to separate suitable runways: 400 - 1 [or 200 - 1/2 above lowest usable Height Above Touchdown (HAT) and visibility, whichever is greater].
b) Where there is 1 usable precision approach: 600 - 2 [or 300 - 1 above the lowest usable HAT and visibility, whichever is greater].
c) Where there is a non-precision approach only available: 800 - 2 [or 300 - 1 above the lowest usable HAT/HAA and visibility, whichever is greater].
d) Where there is no IFR approach available: 500 above a minimum IFR altitude that will permit a VFR approach and landing.

Remember that 600 - 2 and 800 - 2 are considered STANDARD ALTERNATE MINIMA. If the selected alternate weather requirements meet the standard minima, then the following ³sliding scales² are authorized: 600 - 2 allows 700 - 1 1/2 or 800 - 1. 800 - 2 allows 900 - 1 1/2 or 1000 - 1.

The above alternate minimum requirements assume that a TAF is available. An aerodrome served with an AERODROME ADVISORY forecast may qualify as an alternate provided the forecast weather is no lower than 500 feet above the lowest usable HAT/HAA and the visibility is not less than 3 miles.

Ceiling minima are calculated based on the HAA or HAT. Round off up to the nearest hundred feet when over 20 feet. For example, if HAA = 620, use ceiling value 600, and if HAA = 621, use ceiling value 700 feet. If calculated visibility is 1 3/4, round off to forecast value of 2, 2 1/4 to 2, and 2 3/4 to 3.