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Nonstandard Alternate Minimums

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Non-standard alternate minimums are published for approaches when their "no-light" minimums exceed the standard alternate minimums (600-2 for precision, 800-2 for non-precision).
  • These special minimums ensure alternate planning doesn't rely on an approach that would be below its safe operating minimums, especially considering inoperative lighting.
  • They are calculated individually for each approach category, often tying to the circling minimums, and will always be at least 2 statute miles visibility even if the raw calculation is lower.
See a mistake? Contact us.

The article covered how procedures can be unavailable for alternate planning, but what about those that are available, but require non-standard alternate minimums? The standard alternate minimums are simple: 600-2 for precision approaches, and 800-2 for non-precision approaches. But non-standard alternate minimums can seem quite complicated.

Non-standard alternate ceilings and/or visibilities are published for an approach whenever the no-light approach minimums (using the local altimeter setting) exceed the standard alternate minimums. This makes sense—you wouldn’t want the alternate minimums to lure you to an approach that was below its approach minimums.

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