Which statement best describes the weather requirement to use an alternate?

• A. Weather must be equal to or greater than the weather required to file as an alternate.
• B. The ceiling must be at least 200 feet above the minimum for the approach and visibility at least 1 statute mile but not less than the minimum visibility for the approach.
• C. Either the first or the second condition is acceptable.
• D. Both conditions must be satisfied.

Answer: (C)

In IFR planning, there are two independent ways to verify an alternate is usable based on forecast weather. You only need to meet one of them.

First, you can use the alternate minimums themselves. If the forecast weather at the ETA at the alternate meets or exceeds the published minimums for the approach you would fly into that airport, the alternate is usable.

Second, there’s a cushion option. If the forecast ceiling is at least 200 feet above the minimum for the approach and the visibility is at least 1 statute mile more than the minimum visibility for the approach (and not less than the minimum visibility), that also makes the alternate usable.

Since either condition suffices, the best answer is that either the first or the second condition is acceptable.