3. Weather/Dispatch/GOM

Question 1

What are the standard takeoff minimums for the A320?

Answer 1

Standard take off minimums for 2 engine aircraft are 1SM or 5,000’ RVR.

Question 2

Are we allowed to operate with lower than standard takeoff minimums?
What provides authorization to do so?

Answer 2

o Yes

o Ops Spec C056: IFR takeoff minimums, Part 121 airplane operations

Question 3

What are we allowed to reduce our takeoff minimums to?

Answer 3

o Ops Spec C078: IFR lower than standard takeoff minima

o Lowest authorized takeoff RVR: TDZ RVR 5, MID RVR 5, ROLLOUT RVR 5

Question 4

What is our lowest authorized takeoff minimum for takeoff on JFK RWY 31L?

Answer 4

TDZ RVR 5, MID RVR 5, ROLLOUT RVR 5

Question 5

What are the runway requirements when operating at RVR 5/5/5?

Answer 5

HIRL + CL

Question 6

Is reported visibility or RVR for the takeoff runway controlling?

Answer 6

RVR reports, when available for a particular runway, shall be used for all takeoff
operations on that runway.

Question 7

JFK RWY 31L has three RVR reports: TDZ/MID/ROLLOUT. If reported RVR is 5/4/5, are we
allowed to takeoff? If reported RVR is 5/INOP/5 are we allowed to takeoff?

Answer 7

o No/Yes
o If RVR is more than 1,600 RVR
- The TDZ RVR report if available is controlling
- The MID RVR report may be substituted for an unavailable TDZ report
o If RVR is less than 1,600 RVR
- A minimum of 2 operative RVRs are required
- All reporting RVRs are controlling

Question 8

When is a takeoff alternate required?

Answer 8

If the current departure airport weather is lower than the landing minimums
published for the airport.

Question 9

What is required to list an airport as a takeoff alternate?

Answer 9

o Must be within 1 hour from the departure airport at normal cruising speed in still
air with one engine inoperative.
o Must meet the criteria in Ops Spec C055 for filing as an alternate.

Question 10

What is the weather requirement at our destination airport to dispatch?

Answer 10

Weather must be at or above the authorized minimums at the ETA.

Question 11

The main body of the TAF for our destination airport is reporting visibility at the ETA of ½
SM, however there is a TEMPO for ¼ SM. Can we depart?

Answer 11

o Yes, Exemption 3585 can be applied

o Requires a second alternate

Question 12

The main body of the TAF for our destination airport is reporting visibility at the ETA of ¼
SM. Can we depart?

Answer 12

o No, main body of the report is controlling

Question 13

When is a destination alternate required (domestic)?

Answer 13

An alternate must be designated unless the appropriate weather reports or
forecasts, or any combination of them, indicates that the visibility will be at least
three (3) miles with a ceiling of at least 2,000 feet for at least one (1) hour before
and one (1) hour after the estimated time of arrival at the destination airport.

Question 14

When is a second alternate required to be on the release?

Answer 14

o When exemption 3585 is used

o When weather at the destination and first alternate is marginal

Question 15

How is marginal weather defined?

Answer 15

o A ceiling of less than 500’ above DA(H) or MDA(H) or

o A visibility of less than ½ mile above the lowest operational approach minimum

Question 16

How do you determine that the alternate listed on the release is legal?

Answer 16

o Reference Ops Spec C055: Alternate Airport IFR Weather Minimums
o We use the 1 NAVAID/2 NAVAID rule to derive alternate weather minimums.
- 1 NAVAID: for airports with at least 1 operational navigational facility
providing a straight‐in NPA, or Category 1 precision approach, or, when
applicable, a circling maneuver from an IAP:
• Add 400 ft to MDA(H) or DA(H), as applicable
• Add 1 SM to the landing minimum
- 2 NAVAID: for airports with at least 2 operational navigational facilities,
each providing a straight in approach procedure to difference suitable
runways:
• Add 200 ft to higher DA(H) or MDA(H) of the 2 approaches used
• Add ½ SM to the higher authorized landing minimum of the 2
approaches used

Question 17

Would we use a different method to determine if the takeoff alternate or second
alternate weather is legal?

Answer 17

No. An alternate is an alternate, we always reference C055.

Question 18

Can we apply exemption 3585 to a destination or second alternate?

Answer 18

o Yes
o First alternate: The main body of the TAF must forecast a ceiling and visibility value
at the ETA for the first alternate equal to or greater than the C055 derived
alternate weather minimum ceiling and visibility. A conditional statement must not
forecast a ceiling or visibility, at the first alternate ETA, that is less than ½ of the
derived alternate weather minimum ceiling or visibility.
o Second alternate: Forecast must indicate in the main body and conditionals that
the forecast ceiling and visibility, at the second alternate at ETA, will be at or above
the C055 derived alternate weather minimum ceiling and visibility.

Question 19

With 2 alternates listed on the release what is the required minimum fuel (domestic)?

Answer 19

o Fuel, at the time of takeoff:

• Fly to and land at the airport the flight was dispatched or released, and then
• Fly to and land at the most distant alternate airport, and then
• Fly for 45 minutes at normal cruising consumption.

Question 20

You are planning for an ILS to RWY 27 with published minimums of ½ SM‐1800 RVR.
Prevailing visibility is ¾ SM and TDZ RVR for RWY 27 is 1600 RVR. Can you start the final
approach segment? Can you continue if inside the FAF?

Answer 20

o No, whenever RVR is reported for a particular runway, it becomes the controlling
visibility measurement for operations on the runway.
o Yes, if inside the FAF the weather is reported below minimums you can continue
the approach.

Question 21

Which RVR report(s) is controlling for approach and landing?

Answer 21

o Reference C052
o TDZ reports, when available for a particular runway, are controlling for all
approaches and landings for that specific runway. The MID RVR and ROLLOUT RVR
reports (if available) provide advisory information to the pilots.
Note: The MID RVR report may be substituted for the TDZ RVR report in the event
TDZ RVR report is not available.

Question 22

If you are flying an NPA what do you enter in the MCDU PERF Approach page for
minimums?

Answer 22

DDA: Derived Decision Altitude

Question 23

How is DDA determined for an RNAV (GPS) approach?

Answer 23

DDA is derived by adding 50’ to the appropriate LNAV MDA(H).

Question 24

Why don’t we use LPV or LNAV/VNAV minimums?

Answer 24

o Reference C052
o The certificate holder may not use DA(H) unless paragraph C073 is authorized.
C073 is not authorized.

Question 25

What is required when flying an ILS approach with a report of 1800 RVR if the runway
does not have operative TDZ lights or RCL lights?

Answer 25

o Reference C052
o Must be equipped F/D or A/P
o Required to use the F/D or A/P during the approach to DA

Question 26

If you are flying an RNAV (GPS) approach and lose “GPS primary” inside the FAF can you
continue the approach?

Answer 26

No, the approach must be discontinued.

Question 27

If you are flying a VOR approach and lose “GPS primary” inside the FAF can you continue
the approach?

Answer 27

Yes, raw data is required to be displayed and monitored during the approach. If
flight remains within required tolerances for the approach, then the approach can
be continued.

Question 28

What are the elements of a stabilized approach?

Answer 28

o An approach is considered stabilized only if all of the following elements are achieved
before or upon reaching the applicable stabilization height:
- The aircraft is in correct lateral and vertical flight path (based on NAVAID
guidance or visual references).
- Only small changes in heading and pitch are required to maintain this flight
path.
- The aircraft is in the desired landing configuration.
- The thrust is stabilized, usually above idle, to maintain the target approach
speed along the desired final approach path.
- The landing checklist has been accomplished as well as any specific briefing.

Question 29

What are the minimum HAA stabilization altitudes based on meteorological conditions?

Answer 29

o Meteorological conditions HAA:

• Less than or equal to 1,500 ft ceiling and 5sm visibility: 1,000 ft
• Greater than 1,500 ft ceiling and 5sm visibility: 500 ft

Question 30

What is the proper action if the minimum stabilization height is not met?

Answer 30

If the aircraft is not stabilized on the approach path in landing configuration at the
minimum stabilization height, a go‐around must be initiated unless the crew
estimates that only small corrections are necessary to rectify minor deviations from
stabilized conditions due to external disturbances.

Question 31

When do captain high minimums apply?

Answer 31

High minimums apply to captains who have less than 100 hours PIC under Part 121
in the aircraft type being operated.

Question 32

What are you required to add to weather minimums at your destination as a high
minimums captain?

Answer 32

100’ and ½ SM

Question 33

Do high minimums captain requirements apply to the alternate?

Answer 33

No. The published minimums apply or 300‐1, whichever is higher.

Question 34

What are the notification requirements for a low time pilot? High minimums captain?

Answer 34

o At the beginning of each duty period, each pilot must contact dispatch if he has not
accrued:
- 75 hours of line operating flight time as PIC/SIC, with Allegiant, on type.
- Captains: 100 hours as PIC, with Allegiant, on type.

Question 35

Describe the “green‐on‐green” pairing limitation?

Answer 35

The PIC or SIC must have 75 hours of line operating flight time, either as PIC or SIC
in aircraft type.
Note: This pairing limitation does not apply to a new captain who has greater than
75 hours of line operating flight time in type as first officer.

Question 36

Explain what is required for Consolidation of Knowledge and Skills?

Answer 36

o PIC and SIC crewmembers must accrue at least 100 hours of line operating flight
time to complete consolidation.
o Must be completed 120 days from the completion of type ride or PC.
o If the requirement has been met as an SIC then it is not required at upgrade.
o Includes credit for OE
o Can be extended for 30 days

Question 37

What are the limitations on first officers flying with less than 100 hours time in type?

Answer 37

o The captain must make all takeoffs/landings if:
- At a special airport
- Visibility is at or below ¾ SM (4,000 RVR)
- Contaminated runway (braking action less than good)
- Crosswind greater than 15kts
- Suspected/reported windshear
- Captains discretion
o Captain may allow first officer to manipulate the controls in all phases of flight, if
before takeoff, the captain conducts a pre‐takeoff briefing to review each
crewmembers’ duties.
o First officers are responsible for ensuring the captain is notified when they have
not completed consolidation.

Question 38

When is an aircraft security search required to be completed?

Answer 38

o Prior to beginning of each calendar day
o If aircraft left unsecured/unattended
o Prior to each departure to/from an international destination (Canada is the
exception)
o When there is reasonable cause due to breach of security or a specific threat

Question 39

What is the standard Allegiant clearance from thunderstorms above FL230?

Answer 39

20nm

Question 40

What briefing will the Captain give the LFA in an emergency situation?

Answer 40

o Red or Yellow Emergency
o T‐E‐S‐T Briefing (for Red emergencies)
- T type of emergency expected
- E evacuation type and probability
- S signals to be used for bracing/evacuation
- T time available

Question 41

In an abnormal/emergency situation after the aircraft is stopped on the runway, what
are the 2 commands the Captain shall use to communicate to the passengers and flight
attendants?

Answer 41

o “This is the Captain, Remain Seated” or

o “Standby, Standby, Standby”