Helicopter IFR Alternates[PDF]

Introduction

The aerodrome/heliport to which a helicopter may proceed when it becomes either impossible or inadvisable to proceed to or to land at the aerodrome/heliport of intended landing where the necessary services and facilities are available, where aircraft performance requirements can be met and which is operational at the expected time of use is called alternate aerodrome/heliport.

Types of Alternates

Take-off alternate

An alternate aerodrome/heliport at which a helicopter would be able to land should this become necessary shortly after take-off and it is not possible to use the aerodrome/heliport of departure.

A take-off alternate aerodrome/heliport shall be selected and specified in the operational flight plan if the weather conditions at the heliport of departure are at or below the applicable heliport operating minima.

For an aerodrome/heliport to be selected as a take-off alternate, the available information shall indicate that, at the estimated time of use, the conditions will be at or above the aerodrome/heliport operating minima for that operation.

En-route alternate

An alternate aerodrome/heliport at which a helicopter would be able to land in the event that a diversion becomes necessary while en route.

Destination alternate

An alternate aerodrome/heliport at which a helicopter would be able to land should it become either impossible or inadvisable to land at the aerodrome/heliport of intended landing.

For a flight to be conducted in accordance with IFR, at least one destination alternate shall be specified in the operational flight plan and the flight plan, unless:

1. The duration of the flight and the meteorological conditions prevailing are such that there is reasonable certainty that, at the estimated time of arrival at the aerodrome/heliport of intended landing, and for a reasonable period before and after such time, the approach and landing may be made under visual meteorological conditions as prescribed by the State of the Operator; or
2. The aerodrome/heliport of intended landing is isolated and no alternate is available. A point of no return (PNR) shall be determined.

The aerodrome/heliport from which a flight departs may be an en-route or a destination alternate aerodrome/heliport for that flight

For a flight departing to a destination which is forecast to be below the aerodrome/heliport operating minima, two destination alternates should be selected. The first destination alternate should be at or above the aerodrome/heliport operating minima for destination and the second at or above the aerodrome/heliport operating minima for the alternate.

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See also

• IFR route planning
• IFR route building methodology

Reference

• None

Author

• VID 522050 - Creation