Exceptions to Basic Filing Criteria

T-45C TS INav-08

Fuel, Weather, and Alternate Airfield Planning

PROGRESS CHECK

Question 4 — 2.1.8.2

For planning purposes, if your destination weather is at or above published minimums but

below 3,000-3, forecast weather must be __________ , for a non-precision approach at your

alternate.

ANSWER:

EXCEPTIONS TO BASIC FILING CRITERIA

For reasons of safety, previous editions of OPNAVINST 3710.7 added two requirements to the basic

filing criteria to provide for the exceptional event that you 1) experience total radio failure when flying IFR

to a “radar only” airfield or one without a TACAN, VOR, or ILS approach, or 2) you must execute a

missed approach with radio failure at your destination and proceed at minimum en route altitude to an

alternate that does not have a published TACAN, VOR, or ILS approach.

The current edition of OPNAVINST 3710.7 does not include these requirements, but good headwork

and safety considerations would indicate these “rules” should be adhered to.

Regardless of weather conditions, if you are filing to a destination without aircraft compatible

NAVAIDs, a suitable alternate must have a published approach that you can fly without the use of

two-way radio communications.

If the alternate does not have a published approach compatible with your aircraft equipment, the

forecast weather must allow for descent and landing in visual meteorological conditions (VMC)

from the lowest minimum en route altitude.

PROGRESS CHECK

Question 5 — 2.1.8.2

Do OPNAVINST 3710.7 filing minimums apply after a missed approach at your destination?

ANSWER:

DETERMINING FUEL REQUIREMENTS FOR ROUTE OF FLIGHT 2.1.8.1

To determine the fuel requirements for each stage of flight, apply OPNAVINST 3710.7 minimum fuel

criteria. These criteria ensure that you will have sufficient usable fuel (and a margin for safety) to execute

your flight plan. The following excerpt from OPNAVINST 3710.7, paragraph 4.6.4, fully states the

minimum fuel requirements for naval aircraft.

(2-02) Original

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