Part 7FLIGHT PREPARATION (WEATHER ASSESSMENTS) REQUIREMENTS

CHAPTER 7 FLIGHT PREPARATION (WEATHER ASSESSMENTS) REQUIREMENTS

7.01 Purpose

For subregulation 91.230 (1), this Chapter prescribes requirements relating to flight preparation and weather assessments (the flight preparation (weather assessments) requirements).

7.02 Forecasts for flight planning

(1) Subject to subsection (1A), before commencing a flight, the pilot in command must study:

(a) authorised weather forecasts and authorised weather reports for:

(i) the route to be flown; and

(ii) the departure aerodrome, the planned destination aerodrome and any planned alternate aerodrome; and

Note See also subsection 8.04 (3).

(b) any other reasonably available weather information that is relevant to the intended operation.

(1A) If the information mentioned in paragraph (1) (a) is studied more than 1 hour before commencing the flight, the pilot in command must obtain, and review, an update to that information before the flight begins.

(2) For subparagraph (1) (a) (i), the authorised weather forecasts are as follows:

(a) 1 of the following:

(i) for an operation at or below 10 000 ft AMSL — a GAF or a GAMET area forecast;

(ii) for an operation above 10 000 ft AMSL — a SIGWX forecast;

(iii) for any operation — a flight forecast;

(b) a wind and temperature forecast.

(3) An authorised weather forecast used to satisfy the requirement under subparagraph (1) (a) (i) must cover the whole period of the flight for which it is to be used.

(4) For subparagraph (1) (a) (ii), for an IFR flight to a planned destination aerodrome with an IAP that a pilot is able to conduct, the authorised weather forecasts for the planned destination aerodrome and any planned alternate aerodromes must be an aerodrome forecast or an ICAO landing forecast.

(5) For subparagraph (1) (a) (ii), for an IFR flight to a planned destination aerodrome without an IAP, or with 1 or more IAPs none of which a pilot is able to conduct, the authorised weather forecasts must be the following:

(a) for the planned destination aerodrome — an aerodrome forecast, an ICAO landing forecast, or a GAF or a GAMET area forecast;

(b) for any planned alternate aerodrome — an aerodrome forecast or an ICAO landing forecast.

(5A) However, subsections (4) and (5) do not apply if the IFR flight is a Part 121 operation.

(6) An authorised weather forecast used to satisfy the requirement under subparagraph (1) (a) (ii) must be valid for at least 30 minutes before, and 60 minutes after, the planned ETA.