G'day all,

Just had a practice question that got me thinking.

You are to conduct an IFR charter flight into Brisbane in VH-OZY with an ETA of 0100Z. The TAF which will be valid for your arrival is:

TAF YBBN 042218Z 0400/0524 15008KT 9999 RA BKN 009
FEW020 SCT045
INTER 0500/0504 3000 +SH BKN007
FM050300 22020KT 9999 SCT020 SCT040
T 14 19 20 19 Q 1014 1014 1015 1016

The operational requirement/s which will apply to your arrival are -

1 fuel to proceed to an alternate must be carried
2 fuel to hold for 30 minutes or to proceed to an alternate must be carried
3 nil
4 fuel to hold for 30 minutes must be carried

My question relates to which instrument approach you choose in terms of establishing alternate minima. Assuming you are current on all approaches and the aircraft has the necessary equipment, can you simply choose the approach that has the least limiting values? In the case of Brisbane, there is an ILS for RWY 19 and since unless stated otherwise VH-OZY is ILS capable with the ability to use the Special Alternate Minima, in the planning phase would you use the 700/2.5km values?

How do you take wind in to consideration? For example, if the forecast wind precluded a landing on a RWY with an ILS approach, you wouldn't be able to use the ILS minima, would you? I am speaking strictly theoretical, just wondering if the examiners will try to trip you up like that.

Cheers,

Dan

Hi Dan,
Nil alternate required as long as the other requiements are met (Tower is manned and METAR/SPECI forecasting services are available).

For your wind question. You could fly the ILS down to the circling minima and conduct a circling approach from there.
Can't remember if the exam had curly questions like that! Lots of forecast and recency type questions from memory.

Cheers,
Mister W.

Thanks again, Mister W!