91.169

[Iceman21]

My guess would be minimum VFR conditions that pertained to the class of airspace the airport was in. However, I cannot think of an example which applies to the above situation.

 

[midlifeflyer]

My guess would be minimum VFR conditions that pertained to the class of airspace the airport was in. However, I cannot think of an example which applies to the above situation.

I think that was tarp's point.

Assuming we don't want to go far out of our way, the effective range of most light singles and twins are not going to allow for an alternate with substantially different weather conditions than our destinations.

And whether the weather is "iffy" of not, if we have to plan for an alternate, why not make it a real one?

 

[cjh]

Good discussion.

I wonder how often this is the culprit when we see NTSB stats that involve "minimal fuel" issues. It's not that the pilot tried to stretch the original destination, but that he didn't think through the real life issues involved. You're headed to Podunk airport, can't get in, and your alternate is so close by that for the average GA pilot who couldn't make it into the first airport, heading to the alternate just wastes more fuel. Perhaps as instructors we don't drill hard enough on the importance of checking weather enroute and stopping BEFORE arriving at the destination rather than going the distance, finding a landing isn't possible, and THEN discovering your nice, legal flight plan is likely to make you lawn dart material.

 

[Iceman21]

I think the proper education would be practical fuel planning, not minimum fuel requirements. 45 minutes of reserve fuel at 100 KTAS is not a whole lot of ground covered.

 

[cjh]

Frankly, if I only had 45 minutes of fuel left in my tanks I'd be scared sh##less.

 

[bigD]

Usually the plane's not full and I'm carrying full fuel. It's a rare case when I'm having to think about having adequate reserves at my alternate.

I don't know about you guys, but I not a big fan of being cooped up in a small plane for a length of time close to its full fuel endurance. I've done 5.5 in a 182 while IFR and no AP...I think I'm good for about 1 of those per year, tops!

 

[midlifeflyer]

I don't know about you guys, but I not a big fan of being cooped up in a small plane for a length of time close to its full fuel endurance. I've done 5.5 in a 182 while IFR and no AP...I think I'm good for about 1 of those per year, tops!

With full fuel, the airplane's endurance is almost always greater than my bladder's!!