Instrument Flight Planning
Instrument Flight
FILING MINIMUMS
When filing an IFR flight plan, base your weather requirement on the existing weather at your point of
departure and the forecast weather at your destination and alternate from 1 hour before to 1 hour after
your ETA. Figure 10 outlines the weather criteria to follow when selecting an alternate for an IFR flight.
The following are filing criteria for your destination:
1. Single-piloted aircraft (T-45C) absolute minimums are 200-1/2.
2. Use minimums for instrument approach to probable runway based on forecast surface winds.
3. Use the lowest minimums for any approach you and your aircraft are equipped to fly.
For single-piloted aircraft, you may not commence an instrument approach if the weather is below the
minimums published for your planned approach unless you do not intend to land. However, if you have
commenced the approach prior to the weather being reported below minimums, you have the option of
continuing down to the published minimums for that approach.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Fuel requirements are a chief concern in planning for a flight. In addition to having enough fuel for the
route, you must also account for all the fuel you will use from engine start to the approach at your
destination. On top of this, you will have to include the required amount of reserve fuel and the fuel you’ll
need from destination to alternate (if required) under various circumstances, including a divert at enroute
altitude, at the destination IAF altitude, or from a missed approach at the destination. Additionally, you
must be prepared for unusual occurrences such as unforecasted weather en route.
TAKEOFF MINIMUMS
Special Instrument Rating
1. No takeoff ceiling or visibility limits apply.
2. Takeoff dependent on judgment of pilot and urgency of flight.
Standard Instrument Rating
1. Lowest non-precision minimums for runway in use but not lower than 300-1.
2. If runway has a precision approach, takeoff is permitted to precision minimums or 200-1/2,
whichever is higher.
Use the STANDARD T-45C FUEL PLANNING DATA chart (Figure 12) to determine your fuel
requirements for a flight.
OPNAVINST 3710.7 and CNATRA cross-country instructions set policy for minimum fuel requirements.
Local directives may impose further fuel requirements for your cross-country flights, and the situation may
dictate that you need to plan for more reserve fuel than the minimum required in the event of higher winds,
worse weather, increased distance to a suitable alternate, or other unusual circumstances.
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