Combined PA Study

Why did you choose to fly via airways instead of direct?

I chose to fly via airways instead of direct because:

• It gives us ensured obstacle clearance

• it makes it easier for ATC to separate us in this busier airspace near the class Bravo

Were there any considerations for taking off out of Asheville?

There was a SID but I decided not to take it because, even though we can just make the required climb rate, it adds slight complication to our already simple departure in this scenario

Why did you choose this altitude?

• We’re headed east so I had to choose an odd altitude

• It gives over 3,000’ clearance over the highest obstacle

• The winds were fairly neutral along the route

• It’s low enough to ensure no icing will accumulate according to the freezing levels chart

Why did you choose this altitude?

• We’re headed east so I had to choose an odd altitude

• It gives over 3,000’ clearance over the highest obstacle

• The winds were fairly neutral along the route

• It’s low enough to ensure no icing will accumulate according to the freezing levels chart

What made you have to choose an alternate?

Ceilings in the hour before our arrival were expected to be less than 2000’

What made you choose this alternate?

• There’s a thunderstorm near KAIK that’s being pushed NE by winds

• No TAF, however the area forecasts all depicted weather being above minimums at the time of arrival

When do you need an alternate during a cross country?

When ceilings are under 2,000’ OR visibility is under 3sm, for 1 hour before or after ETA. OR the airport does not have an instrument approach.

What are the weather requirements for an alternate with a non-precision approach?

• 2sm viz

• 800’ ceilings

What are the weather requirements for an alternate with a precision approach?

• 2sm viz

• 600’ ceilings

What are the weather minimums for an alternate with no instrument approaches?

VFR conditions

What are VFR weather minimums?

• 3,000’ ceilings

• 5+sm viz

What does WAAS allow for when picking alternates?

Utilization of GPS at primary and alternate

If we didn’t have WAAS what would we have to use at our alternate?

A different type of approach that the one at our main destination

What different weather can be expected from a convective SIGMET?

• Surface winds greater than 50kts

• Embedded thunderstorms

• Tornadoes

• Surface hail greater than 3/4”

• Lines of thunderstorms

• Thunderstorms producing heavy precipitation over 40% of 3000sq mi area

What different weather can be expected from a SIGMET?

• Dust storms

• Severe icing

• Volcanic ash

• Severe turbulence not associated with thunderstorms

How did you choose your route?

1. Preferred IFR Routes

2. SIDS and STARS

Why does KTRI not have anything reported on winds aloft below 7000?

If the reporting altitude is within 1500’ it won’t report anything

When does winds aloft start reporting temperature?

If it’s more than 1500 agl but less than 2500 agl