135.223 need answer asap

[GLSoar]

135.223 b(1)

The ceiling will be be at least 1500 feet above the lowest circling MDA...

does that mean

Ex: Lowest circling approach MDA

MDA(H)
1940(775)-1 1/2



1940(MSL)+1500= 3440 Ceiling?
or

775(agl)=1500= 2275 Ceiling?


I realize that TF ceiling forcasts are AGL,

 

[SDCFI]

B

Answer: 775 + 1500 so round up to 2300. Can not be lower than 2000ft if you can find a circling MDA that low.

 

[Deftone45075]

Yes, it absolutely can be lower than 2000.

If the airport has a circling MDA, you apply 1500 to the lowest circling MDA, regardless of any other factor. If you circle as a Category C airplane, you still add the 1500 to a Category A minimum.

If this does (on a rare occasion) equal less than 2000, you use it.

The Only time you have to compare your result to 2000 and use the higher, is if you are using the lowest straight - in minimum.

 

[SDCFI]

I even confuse myself trying to explain this. What I meant to say was that the minimums to not need an alternate will never be lower than 2000/3. If 1500 + lowest min = 1800 ft you have to use 2000. If it's more than 2000 you have to use the higher.

 

[Jet_Dreamer]

just read theh reg word for word. its that easy.
there is nothing confusing in this reg at all.

 

[Checks]

u would use 1800ft not 2000ft

 

[cvsfly]

RE-READ again.
Condition 1) add 1500' to lowest CIRCLING minimum MDA at that airport (which can be lower than 500' but usually not by much) or
Condition 2) If no circling approaches are available then add 1500' to lowest published minimum or 2000' above airport which ever is higher.
So not exactly straight forward and Contion 1 at an uncontrolled non-precision field can be a lower standard than at an airport with only S-in ILS. But your are splitting hairs as well. An example: KJZI VOR-A cirlcling app MDA (Cat A-C) = 463' agl = 1500' = 1963' (although with no wx reporting you can't even operate IFR there unless you are a recent "eligible operator"). At KDEN (no circling) lowest app min = 200' agl - so 2000' AGL is the figure not 1800'. This is all about planning. If the weather is questionalble plan a fuel load accordingly. If weather is not a factor still plan a fuel load that would get you to some other airport if someone geared up in front of you and closed your destination's runway.

 

[jergar999]

It's just this simple:

Use the 1-2-3 rule unless the lowest published circling minimum is greater than 500. If it is, add 1500 feet to it, and if the weather is below that, you need an alternate.

I also might add that many operations specifications may further restrict the need for an alternate. We require 2000 even if there is a lower published cirlcing minimum, so in our case it really never helps.

 

[Deftone45075]

It's just this simple:

Use the regulation as it reads, this one is very straight foward.

Granted, your circling altitude AGL would have to be 400 or less to get lower than 400 feet, however 1500 + is "1500+". There is nothing about "... or 2000, whichever is higher" when using circling approaches.

 

[100LL... Again!]

There is a restriction preventing the use of a lower-than-2000 ceiling for dtermining if an alternate is required, but I can' remember if it is FAR or Ops Specs.

I'll look it up.