Flight Preparation
Flight preparation questions test whether you can decide that a flight can legally and safely be started: aerodrome suitability, weather and NOTAM study, alternate selection, planning minima, performance, mass and balance, fuel, and the ATS flight plan. Expect scenario items with a weather table and a list of alternates.
Elements of preparation
- Weather: METAR, TAF, trend, significant weather, wind and temperature aloft, turbulence and icing; NOTAM and AIS; airspace restrictions.
- Aerodrome suitability: declared distances and strength, approach aids, rescue and firefighting category, night lighting, terrain.
- Aircraft status: MEL/CDL, technical log, performance and mass and balance, fuel, specific approvals.
- Crew briefing, flight plan filing, and for CAT the operational flight plan signed by the PIC.
Aerodrome and alternate rules (CAT.OP.MPA.107 to .115)
- A destination alternate is normally required for IFR; dispensation is only per approved OM procedures with the required weather margin.
- A take-off alternate is needed when the departure aerodrome weather is below landing minima and the aircraft cannot return.
- En-route alternates are required where the route cannot be covered by the destination alternate, and for isolated aerodromes.
Planning minima
- Destination: at or above the applicable approach minima for the expected time of use.
- Destination alternate: approach minima plus increments - typically 200 ft ceiling and 800 m visibility for a precision approach, 400 ft and 1500 m for a non-precision approach or circling.
- Take-off alternate: at or above take-off minima with a usable approach.
Worked example
Destination forecast 400 ft ceiling, 1500 m visibility; ILS CAT I minima 200 ft and 550 m - the destination itself is acceptable. The chosen alternate has only an NDB with MDH 500 ft and 2400 m visibility. Planning minima for that non-precision alternate become 900 ft and 3900 m, and the forecast of 700 ft and 5000 m fails the ceiling. The alternate is not usable and another one must be found, or two alternates selected.
Traps
- Applying the alternate increments to the destination instead of the alternate.
- Using the actual minima of the alternate approach with no increment.
- Accepting a PROB30 group as the planning forecast.
- Ignoring the RFF category or runway condition when judging suitability.