FAA Military Competency Practice Exam

What are the forecast weather conditions required for an airport with an approved instrument approach procedure to be listed as an alternate on an IFR flight plan?

1. Ceiling 1,000 feet and visibility 3 SM

2. Ceiling 800 feet and visibility 2 SM for non-precision

3. No specific requirements for alternate airports

4. Ceiling 500 feet and visibility 1 SM

The correct answer is: Ceiling 800 feet and visibility 2 SM for non-precision

The correct answer outlines the specific forecast weather conditions required for an airport with an approved instrument approach procedure to qualify as an alternate on an IFR flight plan. In this case, the requirement of a ceiling of 800 feet and visibility of 2 statute miles applies to non-precision approaches. These criteria ensure that even in adverse weather conditions, pilots have a reasonable assurance of being able to execute a safe landing if they are diverted to the alternate airport. The 800-foot ceiling and 2 statute miles of visibility offer a minimum threshold that reflects the capabilities of non-precision approaches, which generally rely on basic navigational aids, and thus may not provide as much margin for error compared to precision approaches. This regulatory framework is crucial for flight safety, allowing pilots to assess the viability of alternate airports based on reliably forecasted weather conditions. The other options provide either lower requirements or no clear requirements, which would not be suitable under the established regulatory criteria for alternate airports within IFR flight planning.