What constitutes a Usable Airport?
The aircraft is capable of proceeding to and using the airport. There must be a valid forecast with conditions above the landing minima and no NOTAMs preventing landing. INTER/TEMPO can be evaluated against the landing minima.
What constitutes a Suitable Airport?
Company-approved Main/Alternate/Adequate that has forecast conditions above the Alternate Minima for the applicable period.
When is a takeoff alternate required?
The airport weather will be below the landing minima for the most appropriate approach within 30 mins of departure, or any other conditions that preclude a return (eg airport closure etc).
What constitutes a Takeoff Alternate airport?
Any Main, Alternate, or Adequate that is:
- Non-EDTO: within 1 hour flight single engine cruise speed
- EDTO: ideally within 1 hour but up to the max EDTO value at single engine cruise speed
Has conditions above the minima for the most likely instrument approach for the time it could possibly be used plus a 30min buffer (PROBs for INTER and TEMPO conditions can be ignored).
What are the non-EDTO route distance limitations?
Must always be within 60 mins of a usable adequate airport (roughly 400nm depending on variant) at OEI cruise speed.
(This can be increased beyond 60 mins provided there’s enough fuel to go longer OEI and/or DP.
When does an airport need an alternate (or itself cannot be nominated as an alternate)?
During the period 30 mins before and after ETA:
- more than SCT below CMQRC alternate minima (or any VV below the cloud base alternate minima)
- less than vis in the CMQRC alternate minima
- crosswind exceeding aircraft capability
- TS inc PROB
- any possibility of runway contamination (eg +RA)
…Unless holding fuel is carried to cover above periods with 30 mins buffer, or INTER/TEMPO 30mins/60mins.
Buffer doesn’t apply and PROBs for TS/vis can be ignored when arrival is within first 3 hours of a TAF3.
Lighting must be available with 30 prior notice before arrival.
When it’s an international destination with no separate runways.
When in flight, how does the destination alternate minima requirement change?
When in 60 mins of the destination and;
- the destination has a TAF3 or TTF and you’re in the first 3 hours/TTF validity with a 30/60 buffer around your ETA
- there’s no expected increase to traffic holding
- for international ops, the destination has separate runways
…you can use the 7-1 table in OM1 to assess need for alternate.
When are two destination alternates required?
- When there is no TAF available at the destination.
- When the forecast indicates weather below the appropriate instrument approach landing minima.
Can an airport subject to a curfew be nominated as an alternate?
Yes (except SYD).
What constitutes an EDTO Adequate airport?
A company-approved airport with forecast weather below the EDTO minima in the CMQRC (pre-dispatch) or landing minima in the CMQRC (post dispatch).
PROBs don’t need to be considered unless they fall below the landing minima in the CMQRC.
What is flight fuel?
Fuel to commence takeoff and fly to the destination and land. Includes expected SID/STAR or an allowance for manoeuvring.
What is alternate fuel?
Fuel to make a missed approach at the destination and fly to the nominated alternate and land. 15mins if no alternate planned.
What is variable reserve?
5% or at least 5 minutes to a maximum of 1T.
What is holding fuel? How is it calculated when adding TFC and WX holding?
Fuel to cover anticipated holding at 20,000’. TFC holding is added to INTER/TEMPO weather holding and if it exceeds 60/80mins, an alternate must be planned.
What holding fuel must be planned in respect to thunderstorms?
INTER thunderstorms must carry 60mins holding fuel.
What is fixed reserve fuel?
30 mins holding at 1,500’.
What fuel is carried to meet critical fuel scenarios (eg ETP)?
Fuel to:
- proceed to an appropriate airport
- meet all weather and traffic holding +15 mins extra holding
- approach and land
with the most critical failure (OEI/DP). EDTO at the planning stage is compared against EDTO dispatch minima. Non-EDTO and in-flight EDTO; landing minima is used as the basis of assessment. TS don’t need to be considered unless they have associated weather below the landing minima.
What fuel is required to be onboard pre-startup?
Fixed reserve
Variable reserve
Alternate fuel or ALT NIL
Holding fuel
Taxi fuel
Flight fuel
Contingency fuel
What fuel is required to be onboard post-dispatch?
Fixed reserve
Alternate fuel
Flight fuel
Holding fuel when needed
Contingency fuel
What is the minimum FOD? To which fuel category is it added in the flight plan?
60mins, added to tanker if needed. This can be reduced to 45mins for payload if the PIC agrees.
Some ports need 90mins and the requirement is seasonal in some cases.
Can the APU be started or running during refuelling?
Yes to both, but it cannot be restarted following an automatic shut down.
What should be done when fuel is spilled?
- call airport fire services
- have ground shut down any equipment near the spill
- don’t start the APU and perform a normal APU shutdown must be completed
How close can a TS get to the airport before takeoff should be cancelled?
5 nm
What are the TS avoidance distances?
20nm, 5,000’
5nm for approach and landing
