IFR Alternate Change In Route?

[KnowledgeSeeker]

A friend from work asked me if you can change your IFR alternate while enroute. I realized i am not sure of the answer since i have never run into this myself.

 

[Singlecoil]

Sure, as long as you have the fuel to make it to your new alternate, and then fly for 45 minutes. A better question would be why would you want to? A filed alternate is merely a paperwork requirement. If you miss the approach at your primary and decide you want to go somewhere else, you can ask for a clearance to anywhere you wish.
It is certainly good to be checking the weather at your planned alternate and other nearby airports while on the way to your primary. If your alternate goes down, you can have a backup ready in your mind, but there is no requirement to refile the alternate if it was legal when you departed. Telling ATC this doesn't accomplish a whole lot unless your new alternate is such a busy airport and you might run into traffic delays getting a clearance in there.

 

[flx757]

As Singlecoil indicated, filing an alternate is more for fuel planning and paperwork. As long as the original alternate airport you file meets all the requirements for filing as an alternate, and you depart with enough fuel to satisfy all the regulatory requirements, you can go wherever you choose once you make the decision to divert. There is no need to "refile" your alternate.

 

[midlifeflyer]

There is no need to "refile" your alternate.

There may be one reason to "refile" an alternate, although it's certainly not a requirement. In addition to planning, the alternate gives ATC some indication of where you might go in case of communication loss. If enroute weather reports indicate that there are better options that your original filed alternate and conditions are indeed getting low, you might want to give a "just in case" update.

 

[varicam]

There may be one reason to "refile" an alternate, although it's certainly not a requirement. In addition to planning, the alternate gives ATC some indication of where you might go in case of communication loss. If enroute weather reports indicate that there are better options that your original filed alternate and conditions are indeed getting low, you might want to give a "just in case" update.

Unless things have changed in the past few years, the alternate block of the flight plan is not actually "filed" as it isn't transmitted to the center when the flight plan is entered into the system. Further, canned flight plans contain no alternate info. In the case of an individually filed flight plan, flight service can eventually come up with the planned alternate, but likely not in time for it to make any difference during a lost comm missed approach. Listing an alternate is mostly a planning exercise.

 

[HAZ-MAT]

I was talking to Flight Service about this, and when you "add" and alternate to your flight plan, its in their computer system, so center would call flight service and ask what XYZ's alternate was. There was one time where i was unable to make it to a destination, and i told Center i would like to fly to my alternate, and he asked me what it was.. so that shows that its not on the flight strip in front of them... please correct me if i am wrong..

 

[KnowledgeSeeker]

Thanks for the replies. Although i thought i would clarify my question. I really meant it to be in terms of 121 regs (if there is any difference).

Also my understanding of the 121 regs is that you cannot change your destination enroute. Is this true? A friend who flew for Ameriflight seems pretty positive about this one...just want to be sure. thanks!

 

[Singlecoil]

You're thinking of "Planned re-dispatch enroute" Check your ops-specs, you either are or are not approved for it. I believe technically it refers to international long-haul type ops, but I'm not approved for it, so I don't know.

 

[LJDRVR]

Another "strategy" sometimes employed with the use of an alternate would be in the international environment, particuarly Central America.

When flying to a destination bordered by several countries, It's a good idea to file your alternate in one of the other countries. That way, if you encounter a diversion situation, you still have the option of diverting to another airport "in-country", with the added option of an additional airport "next door". Filing another nation's airport usually relieves you of most major customs hassles. (At least down south) A real good example would be flying to Northern Columbia. By filing Panama City as your alternate, if you encounter greater than forecast headwinds or temperatures that result in not enough fuel to safely reach your destination, dropping into Panama City becomes a breeze. Of course this is with the provision that using MPTO as a alternate satifies legal requirements.

I dont often get to emply this technique, but occasionally it's beneficial.

 

[regionalcap]

At our regional, the Op Specs require us to change the alternate enroute if the original alternate goes below minimums.