IFR Alternate Requirements

The 1-2-3 Rule

For an IFR flight, you do not have to file an alternative if the following conditions are forecast at ETA +/- 1 hour:

  • At least 2000 ft ceiling
  • At least 3 SM visibility

Alternate Minimums

In order to qualify as an alternate, an airport must be forecast to have at least:

  • 600 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility for precision approaches
  • 800 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility for non-precision approaches

If the airport has non-standard alternate minimums defined for it (identified by an “A” icon in the notes section of their FAA approach plates)), those values apply instead. These non-standard minima are published in the U.S. Terminal Procedures Publication (TPP).

Backlinks

  • Aviation