Readback: November 2021

IFR Staff

Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 01:42 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

FAA regulations for IFR alternate airports (§91.169) permit the use of various reliable weather forecasts, beyond just TAFs, to determine if an alternate is required, provided they unequivocally predict weather above 2000 feet and 3 miles visibility.
Proposed legislation for a mandatory pilot retirement age of 70 for large Part 135 and Part 91K operations (like NetJets) did not pass into federal law, meaning no such federal mandate currently exists.
Aviation safety critically relies on honesty, trust, and proactive decision-making, encouraging pilots to consider safer alternatives (e.g., VFR flyways) and uphold high ethical standards even when not strictly mandated.

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Need an Alternate?

I read your reply, “That’s Just Some Clouds” in August, to a letter stating an alternate was not required because the forecast of 1800 scattered at a nearby Class C airport doesn’t constitute a ceiling. I agree with that but my CFII says if your destination airport doesn’t have a TAF, you must file an alternate even if there’s a TAF 10 miles away predicting VFR weather. Is he wrong?