CAT.OP.MPA.182 Destination aerodromes — instrument approach operations

SI No. 1290/2024

Text in magenta in force from 30 October 2025

The operator shall ensure that sufficient means are available to navigate and land at the destination aerodrome or at any destination alternate aerodrome in the case of loss of capability for the intended approach and landing operation.

 

The title and text below will replace the text above on 30 October 2025:

CAT.OP.MPA.182 – Fuel scheme – aerodrome selection policy – aeroplanes

In respect of aeroplanes:

  1. At the planning stage, the operator must ensure that once the flight has commenced, there is reasonable certainty that an aerodrome where a safe landing can be made will be available at the estimated time of use of that aerodrome.

  2. At the planning stage, to allow for a safe landing in case of an abnormal or emergency situation after take-off, the operator must select and specify in the operational flight plan a take-off alternate aerodrome if either:

    1. the weather conditions at the aerodrome of departure are below the operator’s established aerodrome landing minima for that operation; or

    2. it would otherwise be impossible to return to the aerodrome of departure.

  3. The take-off alternate aerodrome must be located within a distance from the departure aerodrome that minimises the risk of exposure to potential abnormal or emergency situations. In choosing the take-off alternate aerodrome, the operator must, at least, consider the following:

    1. actual and forecast weather conditions;

    2. availability and quality of the aerodrome infrastructure;

    3. navigation and landing capabilities of the aircraft in abnormal or emergency conditions, taking into account the redundancy of critical systems; and

    4. specific approvals held.

  4. At the planning stage, for each IFR flight, the operator must select and specify in the operational and ATS flight plans one or more aerodromes so that two safe-landing options are available during normal operation when:

    1. reaching the destination aerodrome; or

    2. reaching the point of no return, to any available FE ERA aerodrome during isolated aerodrome operations; a flight to an isolated aerodrome must not be continued past the point of no return unless a current assessment of weather conditions, traffic and other operational conditions indicates that a safe landing can be made at the destination aerodrome at the estimated time of use. To use an isolated aerodrome as a destination aerodrome, the operator must have prior approval from the CAA.

  5. The operator must provide appropriate safety margins to flight planning to take into account a possible deterioration of the available forecast weather conditions at the estimated time of landing.

  6. For each IFR flight, the operator must ensure that sufficient means are available to navigate to, and land at, the destination aerodrome or at any destination alternate aerodrome in the event of loss of capability for the intended approach and landing operation.