Planning Plan B

Most of us who travel from small airport to smaller airport recognize the importance of weather and fuel requirements, but the alternatives available is often neglected in our training. Instead, were focused on getting a weather briefing and knowing things like runway lengths, ATC frequencies and whether the destination has a restaurant. Too often, we learn the hard way that services at the small airports closest to our ultimate destination may not be available when we need them most.

Mike Hart

Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

FAR 91.103 requires pilots to be familiar with all available flight information, including critical alternatives, which often goes beyond basic weather and fuel to encompass ground services.
Pilots must meticulously plan for ground transportation options and varied airport amenities at potential diversion locations, as these services differ greatly and are vital for completing a journey safely.
"Non-traditional" tools like webcams offer essential real-time visual weather and situational awareness, especially in challenging terrain, complementing traditional reports.
Comprehensive pre-flight planning for both airborne and ground alternatives empowers pilots to make safer decisions and avoid "getthereitis" when circumstances necessitate an early landing.

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The word “all” creates an impossible threshold. No brain can hold all information available, and yet FAR 91.103 does not let us off the hook. It requires that “Each pilot in command shall, before beginning a flight, become familiar with all [emphasis added] available information concerning that flight.” Additionally, it requires we know the “alternatives available if the planned flight cannot be completed.” At first blush, that may sounds like a simple task but to exercise an informed option, you have to know what services may be available along your route and beneath your present location. The more you know, the better your outcome will be.