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Canada Air Pilot · Operating Minima — Alternate

Alternate weather minima calculator

Work out the IFR alternate-aerodrome weather minima the way the Canada Air Pilot (CAP GEN) actually requires — the greater of the standard floor or the additive over your lowest usable approach — and check a forecast against it. Handles the sliding scale, aerodromes without a TAF, helicopters, and the GNSS restrictions.

Guidance only, based on the CAP GEN "Operating Minima – Alternate" tables. Not a dispatch tool — always verify against the current CAP GEN and your ops manual.

Aircraft
Aeroplane
Helicopter
Forecast available at the alternate
The standard tables assume a TAF. Aerodromes without a TAF have their own, higher requirements.
TAFAerodrome forecast
Aerodrome AdvisoryNo TAF
GFA onlyGraphic Area Forecast
Best usable approach(es) at the alternate
Use the lowest usable approach(es), considering NOTAMs and your aircraft's equipment.
Two+ precisionto separate runways
One precision / APV
Non-precision only
No IFR approach
Height above touchdown of the lowest usable approach.
ft
The vis on that approach's minima line.
SM
The lowest IFR altitude from which you could complete a VFR approach and landing.
ft
Height above touchdown/aerodrome of the lowest usable approach at the alternate.
ft
Cumulonimbus (CB) in the GFA for the area?
No CB forecast
CB forecast
Forecast at your ETA (at the alternate)
The ceiling and visibility the forecast shows for your estimated arrival time.
ft AGL
SM
Is the usable approach satellite-based (GNSS / RNAV)?
No — conventional
Yes — GNSS/RNAV
Operator
General Aviation
Private (PORD) / Commercial (AOC)
RNP AR approach [RNAV (RNP)]?
No
Yes — RNP AR
Destination also satellite-based?
No
Yes
Fill in the fields above to calculate your alternate minima.

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Guidance based on the Canada Air Pilot (CAP GEN) "Operating Minima – Alternate" tables. It is not a dispatch or flight-planning system and does not replace the CAP GEN, the TC AIM, or your operations manual. Confirm every value against the current publications before you rely on it.

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