Part 135 Dest Alternate Ceiling question

[Bernoulli]

Thanks CVSFLY... By the way...I agree with you and Avbug and the other poster. The reason I am asking is I have seen other pilots in my company use the actual MDA as opposed to the MDA's HAA or HAT. I was really fishing for some legal interpretation of the reg to put any question to rest...because as we all know...what another pilot or even a fed at your local FSDO thinks the reg means is irrelevent. If the s**t hits the fan and the FAA comes a knockin' wondering why you did it one way as opposed to the "correct way"...well...you know what I mean. Thanks again.

 

[avbug]

You've been given the correct way, which is clearly spelled out in the regulation given...no need to interpret anything. How can a pilot be dense enough to think that flying into a 6,000' field elevation with a 700' HAT and a 6,700' MDA, plus 1,500' means 8,200' above the ground? Any instrument student can think better than that.

The regulation need not be interpreted, as I stated before. While 1,500 must be added to MDA, the issue is one of ceiling. Whereas MDA is expressed in ASL/MSL altitudes, ceiling is not, and therefore any derived altitude from MDA MUST be expressed as an AGL altitude (by determining the height above the ground after adding 1,500' to the MDA). One is merely creating a common denominator. My prior post conveyed and fully intended to convey that no interpretation is required as this is clear without any great need for deep thought on the matter.

In the above example, a pilot who would assume a 8,200' ceiling isn't in need of an interpretation, but a competency ride, as well as an evaluation for basic independent living functions for his or her own good. Your friends aren't so dense as to fail to understand this...they're only being difficult. No interpretation necessary.