IFR - Arrivals Alternate

In some cases, pilots may travel to a destination for which there are no instrument approaches

True

When on an airway, ATC will clear the pilot down to what altitude?

The MEA (Minimum Enroute Altitude)

What is the minimum IFR altitude when off airways?

The altitude that ensures obstacle clearance and adequate navigation signal coverage

If VFR conditions are not encountered, to what altitude may a pilot request clearance down?

The MOCA (Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude)

Why might descent to the MOCA be a concern?

It may put the aircraft out of ATC reception range

If arranged prior, how will ATC protect the MEA when descending to MOCA?

ATC will protect the MEA until the pilot reports arrival, for 30 minutes, or until arrival at alternate plus 30 minutes

How long will the MEA be protected if the pilot does not contact ATC after descent to MOCA?

Until the aircraft is estimated to have arrived at the filed alternate plus 30 minutes

When is an alternate aerodrome required for IFR flight?

Always, unless otherwise authorized by the Minister

Why must an IFR flight include an alternate aerodrome?

To ensure a suitable landing area if unable to land at the destination

What factors should be considered when selecting an alternate aerodrome?

Number of runways, types and number of approaches, approach minimums, proximity to destination, and weather independence

Why must proximity to the destination be considered for an alternate?

To ensure the alternate won’t be affected by the same poor weather

How are authorized alternate weather minima determined?

Using tables consistent with aircraft performance, navigation limits, forecast type, runway use, and CAR 605.18(j) compliance

What must alternate minima account for?

Aircraft performance, equipment, functioning navaids, forecast reliability, and applicable regulations

When can a forecast BECMG improvement be considered valid?

At the end of the BECMG time period

When must deteriorating BECMG conditions be considered valid?

At the start of the BECMG time period

What is the requirement for TEMPO forecasts when determining alternate suitability?

TEMPO conditions must not be below published alternate minima

What about PROB conditions?

PROB conditions must not be below the appropriate landing minima

What are the alternate minima for an ILS approach?

300 1 + HAT/Advisory Vis or 600

What is required for one useable precision approach (ILS)?

600 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility

If calculated 300 + 200 = 500 and 1 + ½ = 1½ SM, which applies?

The higher (600 2 or 500

What are the alternate minima for a non precision approach?

300

What is required for one useable non precision approach?

800 ft ceiling and 2 SM visibility

If calculated 300 + 445 = 745 and 1 + 1 = 2 SM, which applies?

The higher (800 2 or 745

What are the requirements for a GFA alternate?

No cloud lower than 1000’ above the lowest usable HAT/HAA, no cumulonimbus, and visibility ≥ 3 miles

How should ceilings be rounded?

20 ft and below round down, 21 ft and above round up to the next 100 ft

What is the rule for visibility calculations?

Calculated visibilities should not exceed 3 miles

When may credit be taken for satellite based approaches?

When predicted satellite outages are accounted for and RAIM/WAAS availability is verified for ETA

For GPS TSO C129/C129a avionics, when must RAIM availability be checked?

Periodically and at least once before the mid point of flight to destination

What is the minimum distance between destination and alternate when both use satellite based approaches?

75 NM north of 56°N (or Nunavut), 100 NM elsewhere in Canada

What RNP approach credits can GA operators take?

None

What RNP credit can private/commercial operators take with authorization?

RNP 0.30 lines of minima only

Can credit be taken for LPV or LP lines of minima?

No

When can LNAV/VNAV credit be taken?

Only if the aircraft is certified for barometric LNAV/VNAV

What determines an aircraft’s approach category?

The indicated airspeed used during the approach

Why are aircraft categories important for approaches?

Different MDA and advisory visibilities apply to each category

Can an aircraft category change?

Yes, depending on configuration and pilot technique

Why are temperature corrections necessary for IFR flight in Canada?

Cold temperatures cause altimeters to overread, reducing obstacle clearance

What altitudes require temperature correction?

100 NM safe altitude, MSA, procedure turn altitude, FAF, MDA/DH, missed approach altitude

Are ATC assigned altitudes temperature

When should ATC be notified about temperature corrections?

When the pilot makes corrections to published altitudes

Should IFR assigned altitudes accepted by pilots be temperature corrected?

No

Are ATC radar vectoring altitudes temperature corrected?

Yes, by ATC

When are remote altimeter settings used?

When a local setting is unavailable at the destination

How are altitude corrections handled when using a remote altimeter setting?

Corrections are included in the authorization or built into the procedure

If a remote altimeter setting is required at all times, how is that indicated?

The corrections are incorporated during procedure development

What is the purpose of radar vectors?

To establish aircraft on the arrival sequence and align with approach aids efficiently

What will the initial vectoring instruction always include?

The purpose of the vector (e.g., for straight in ILS 26 approach)

At what point are aircraft usually vectored to intercept the final approach course?

Approximately 2 NM before the approach begins

In a comm failure during vectors, what should a pilot do?

Dead reckon to complete a straight in or procedure turn and land ASAP

Do some STARs lead directly to an approach facility?

Yes

What must pilots determine when transitioning off airways?

The appropriate minimum safe altitudes for obstacle clearance

What are arc transitions used for?

To lead aircraft smoothly to the final approach course

What is published along the arc for safety?

A minimum safe altitude

How long can the published arc altitude be used?

Only for the published segment until established on final

Why is careful approach planning important?

It improves handling of distractions and emergencies

When does approach planning begin?

Before departure and continues during flight

What information is crucial for approach planning?

Clearance, destination weather, surface wind, runway, minimums, procedure turns, FAF to MAP distance, descent rates, circling limits, missed approach, and navaids

What does AMORTS stand for?

Approach, Minimums, Overshoot, Radios, Timing, Special

What is the purpose of the AMORTS check?

To ensure all aspects of the approach are reviewed and briefed

What is the purpose of an approach briefing?

To verify all considerations are made and to communicate them (multi crew)

A

Approach: “This will be the full procedure ILS 26 Waterloo.”

M

Minimums: “Minimums are 3200 until Wellington beacon outbound, PT altitude 3100, intercept glidepath, DH 1255.”

O

Overshoot: “Missed approach climb to 1500 on track 255, right turn ZKF NDB 3200.”

R

Radios: “Localizer and Wellington tuned and identified.”

T

Timing: “No timing for this approach.”

S

Special: “Nothing special.”