When determining alternate minima, due weather at your destination, IFR or VFR for that matter, must the forecast be a TAF for your destination or may you use an Area Forecast to determine cloud below LSALT +500 and a visibility of 8 km?
If it must be a TAF, then obviously you must plan for an alternate to a destination that does not have a TAF?
If able to use area forecast, where the destination does have an instrument approach but does not have a TAF or is Provisional can you use the area forecast to determine VFR conditions?
AIP 59.2.12 states clearly that for aerodromes with an instrument approach procedure where an aerodrome forecast is unavailable or is “provisional”, the pilot in command must make provision for a suitable alternate.
For aerodromes without an instrument approach procedure, the alternate minima is the lowest safe altitude for the final route segment plus 500FT and a visibility of 8KM.
Surely you could apply the same logic for an aerodrome with an instrument approach that does not have a TAF available?

I agree with you. I have often asked CASA their opinion. If an aerodrome does not have an instrument approach published you can still go there without an alternate providing the area forecast indicates not more that 4/8 cloud below LSALT over the last route segment +500 feet and visibility not less than 8km.

The AIP does seem to be saying that if the aerodrome does have an instrument approach published, but no TAF is available, then you must plan for an alternate and you cannot use the LSALT +500 rule. The requirement to plan for an alternate then depends on the existence of a piece of paper.

Had the instrument approach not existed, you could use the LSALT +500 rule, but because it does exist, you must plan for an alternate. Makes my little head spin!!!

Thanks Bob
Is it CASA's opinion that you can use an Area Forecast to determine weather at your destination.
The AIP uses terminology like "weather at your destination" do they mean a TAF.

Regards

Tony