ifr Flashcards
Alternate WX Minima Based on a GFA
● An aerodrome not serviced by a TAF can qualify as an alternate with the GFA being used as the forecast determinant IF the following minima are adhered to:
➢ No cloud forecast lower than 1 000 feet above the HAT/HAA.
➢ No Cumulonimbus.
➢ Visibility not less than 3 SM
GFAs use asl
Rounding Alternate Minima
● Ceiling minima are calculated by reference to the procedure HAA or HAT.
● Remember that ceiling values in aviation forecasts are established in 100 feet increments.
➢ Up to 20 feet, use the lower 100 foot increment.
➢ Above 20 feet, use the next higher 100 foot increment
‘BECMG’ in Alternate WX Minima
● When conditions are forecasted to improve, the forecast BECMG condition shall be considered to be applicable as of the end of the BECMG time period.
➢ These conditions shall not be below the alternate minima!
● When conditions are forecasted to deteriorate, the forecast BECMG condition shall be considered to be applicable as of the start of the BECMG time period.
➢ These conditions shall not be below the alternate minima!
● Rule of thumb is to apply the worst case scenario weather during calculations
● The forecast TEMPO conditions shall not be below the published alternate minima for the aerodrome
‘PROB’ in Alternate WX Minima
● The forecast PROB condition shall not be below the published landing (not alternate) minima for that aerodrome
Minimum Altitudes
Departure procedures are found on the aerodrome chart and meet obstacle and terrain clearance, based on the premise that on departure, the aircraft will:
➢ Cross at least 35 feet above the end of the runway.
➢ Climb straight ahead to 400 feet.
➢ Maintain a climb gradient of at least 200 feet per NM throughout the climb to a minimum IFR altitude for en route operations.
IFR Position Reports
● Pilots of IFR flights that are not radar identified are required to
make position reports over compulsory reporting points
specified on IFR charts, and over any other reporting points
specified by ATC.
● When radar identified, position reports are only required
upon request by ATC.
● The position report shall include the information in the CFS
Takeoff Minima
● Takeoff Minima for all aircraft is governed by Visibility only.
● Takeoff Visibility is determined in the following order:
➢ An RVR reading (Runway Visual Range), RVR A located
adjacent to the threshold, and RVR B located adjacent to the
runway mid-point.
➢ Ground Visibility as determined by ATC, FSS, a Community
Aerodrome Radio Station (CARS), or an AWOS.
➢ Ground Visibility as determined by the pilot
Landing Minima
● Pilots of aircraft on instrument approaches are prohibited from
continuing the final approach descent below DH (for a precision
approach) or descending below MDA (for a non-precision
approach) as applicable, unless the required visual reference
has been established for lights and markings
Approach Ban
● With certain exceptions, pilots of aircraft are prohibited from
completing an instrument approach past the outer marker or
Final Approach Fix (FAF) to a runway that is served by an
RVR, if the values are below certain minimums (1200).
● The following exceptions apply:
➢ The below-minima RVR is received when the aircraft is
on approach and has passed the FAF, or where there is
no FAF, the point where the final approach course is
intercepted.
➢ The PIC has informed ATC that the aircraft is on a
training flight and that the PIC intends to initiate a missed
approach at or above the DH or MDA, as appropriate
➢ The RVR is fluctuating above and below the minimum RVR.
➢ The RVR is below the minimum RVR for the runway, but
the ground visibility of the aerodrome as reported by an
ATC unit or FSS is at least 1/4 mile.
➢ The PIC is conducting a precision approach to CAT III
minima.
➢ The RVR for the runway is not reported
rvr a/b = 1200; rvra&b = 1200/600
Low Visibility Operations
● Low and Reduced Visibility Procedures apply to ground
movements of aircraft arriving and departing under low and
reduced visibility conditions
● Arrivals and departures below RVR 600 are not authorized.
● When visibility is less than RVR 2 600 (1/2 SM) aircraft and
vehicle operations will be restricted on the movement area.
● When Low Visibility Procedures are in the effect ATIS will have
the following message: “Low visibility procedures in effect” or
“Reduced visibility procedures in effect.”
Low Visibility Operations Plan
(LVOP)
● For aerodromes certified to operate below RVR 1 200 down to
and including RVR 600, the CAP must contain a Low Visibility
Procedures Page and a Low Visibility Taxi Chart.
● Aerodromes with runways certified for Reduced Visibility
procedures (RVR 2 600 down to and including RVR 1 200)
may have a Reduced Visibility Procedures Page and a
Reduced Visibility Taxi Chart if there are special pilot
procedures that need to be published.
● The CAP and CFS will also contain the level of
service for each runway in the Aerodrome Chart
● One of these is required by aerodromes who are certified to
operate when the visibility is less than RVR 1 200 (1/4 SM).
● LVOP (Low Visibility Operations Plan) calls for specific
procedures established by the aerodrome operator and/or
ATC when aerodrome visibility is below RVR 1 200 (1/4 SM).
● If the visibility drops below the aerodrome operating visibility
after an aircraft has commenced taxi for takeoff or after
landing, the aircraft may continue to taxi
obstacle clearance
● Except when taking off or landing, aircraft in IFR flight shall be
operated at least 1 000 ft above the highest obstacle within a
horizontal radius of 5 NM of the aircraft.
● The established MOCA for IFR operations provides 1 000 ft
obstacle clearance above the highest obstacle:
○ Airways and air routes outside of designated mountainous
areas;
○ Certain airway and air route segments within designated
mountainous areas, which are used in the arrival or
departure phase of flight;
○ all MSA
○ Instrument approach transitions; radar vectoring areas
mountainous areas get 1500-2000
No Alternate Aerodrome — IFR Flight
a person may conduct an IFR flight where an alternate aerodrome has not been designated in the IFR flight plan/flight itinerary, if the person
(a) is authorized to do so in an air operator certificate; and
(b) complies with the Commercial Air Service Standards
