According to the KPIE TAF and using the proposed time of departure in the scenario guide, do the weather conditions at the destination require the need to select and file an alternate airport for this XC?

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Question restatement: The task asks, using KPIE TAF and the proposed time of departure from the scenario guide, whether the weather conditions at the destination require filing an alternate airport for this cross-country (XC) flight. Answer options: Yes or No.

Option 1: Yes
- The key idea is that an alternate airport must be filed if the destination’s weather meets certain criteria (e.g., marginal or below minimums, ceilings, visibility, winds, or forecast conditions near or at the time of arrival) that would prevent a comfortable or legal landing at the primary destination. If the KPIE TAF, when interpreted in conjunction with the proposed departure time, indicates that the destination is likely to have weather that fails to meet the required landing minimums at the expected arrival time, then a filed alternate is typically required to ensure a safe and legal option if the primary destination becomes unusable. In routine practice, pilots cross-check TAFs for intended arrival windows and compare to approach minimums and alternate planning rules; findings that the forecast at arrival would not meet required minimums would justify filing an alternate.

Option 2: No
- Arguing against filing an alternate would require evidence that the forecasted conditions at the destination are expected to be above landing minimums, with reliable VFR or acceptable IFR conditions, and that only an actual deterioration would necessitate an alternate. If the TAF shows consistently favorable forecasts at the expected arrival time, or if there is confidence that local meteorological conditions won’t reduce visibility or ceiling below approach minimums, one might conclude that filing an alternate is not required. However, this requires strong confidence in the forecast and in the applicability of the standards used for alternate filing, including any regulatory or company-specific guidelines.

Further considerations for differentiating the options:
- Forecasts can change between forecast hours; using the proposed time of departure helps ensure alignment with the valid window of the TAF. If the TAF suggests marginal or deteriorating conditions at the destination around arrival, that tends to support filing an alternate. If the forecast remains well above minimums or the risk of deterioration is low, one could justify not filing an alternate. The scenario guide’s assumed departure time plays a crucial role in interpreting the forecast; mismatches between departure planning, arrival time, and the valid period of the TAF could lead to different conclusions.

Summary of reasoning differences:
- Yes: Supported when the forecasted arrival conditions at the destination fail to meet landing minimums or imply uncertainty that could lead to inability to land under legal minima, necessitating a backup plan.
- No: Supported when the forecast clearly stays above minimums at the expected arrival window and there is confidence in the forecast stability, reducing risk and removing the need for an alternate according to standard planning rules.

Note on interpretation: Since the question references KPIE TAF and the scenario guide’s proposed departure time, the final determination hinges on the specific forecast data for the destination and the timing. If the provided answer key marks Yes, that implies the forecasted conditions at the destination around the planned arrival time do not reliably meet the required landing minimums or expectations for a safe approach, thereby requiring an alternate plan.

FA_221 Lesson 31 Quiz

According to the KPIE TAF and using the proposed time of departure in the scenario guide, do the weather conditions at the destination require the need to select and file an alternate airport for this XC?

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