Alternate Aerodrome – Canadian Flight Trainers

An alternate aerodrome is an aerodrome to which a flight may proceed when it becomes impossible or inadvisable to land at the intended destination. An alternate must meet minimum weather requirements and is listed in the flight plan when required by regulation.

When an Alternate Is Required

IFR flight: An alternate must be filed unless the destination TAF is forecast at least 2,000 ft ceiling and 3 SM visibility from 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA
VFR flight: Good airmanship requires an alternate when weather is marginal

Alternate Weather Minima

For IFR, the alternate must be forecast above published alternate minima at the time of arrival. These minima are found in the CAIP (Canada Air Pilot). If no instrument approach exists at the alternate, visual meteorological conditions must be forecast.

Related Terms

See also: Alternate Airport, Flight Plan, IFR.