We have all been told old wives tales. Their problem is that they can take on a life of their own. Are the old wives right? Is there a bit of truth to them? Or are they just plain wrong? When it comes to ceilings as part of landing minimums the answer is a bit complicated. It begs the question, are ceilings sealing for instrument pilots or not?
Many instrument pilots are incorrectly taught that ceiling is a controlling factor for IFR landing minimums in the U.S.
U.S. FAA regulations for Part 91 and Part 121 operations state that only flight visibility, not ceiling, is legally controlling for continuing an instrument approach below MDA/DA, a policy established in the mid-1960s.
While ceiling is not legally controlling for destination approaches, it remains a factor for determining suitable alternate airports and serves as a useful consideration for pilot judgment.
We have all been told old wives tales. Their problem is that they can take on a life of their own. Are the old wives right? Is there a bit of truth to them? Or are they just plain wrong? When it comes to ceilings as part of landing minimums the answer is a bit complicated. It begs the question, are ceilings sealing for instrument pilots or not?
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