Flight Planning; Weather Assessment - Cirrus SR20 Flight Operations Manual

Cirrus SR20 and SR22
Section 7

Flight Planning

Pilots are encouraged to file VFR or IFR flight plans for all cross-
country flights. Pilots should always plan an alternate, whether
operating VFR or IFR.
The pilot should complete the following flight planning responsibilities:
Determine the best route and altitude considering; winds aloft,
freezing levels, cloud bases and tops, turbulence, terrain, airspace and
TFRs.
• Determine alternate airport.
• Calculate fuel requirements.
• Verify aircraft is within weight and balance limitations.
• Calculate takeoff and landing distances. Verify runway lengths
for intended airports.
• File flight plan.

Weather Assessment

Pilots should determine if the weather conditions exceed their
qualifications and capabilities. A decision should be made to postpone
the flight if the weather is not acceptable. Flight planning should
continue if the weather is acceptable.
To facilitate flight planning, the U.S. Government provides a
free Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) for all
licensed pilots at http://www.duats.com.
IFR Alternate Airport Weather Requirements
If from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival at the
destination airport, the weather is forecast to be at least 2,000 foot
ceilings and 3 mile visibilities, no alternate is required, though it is
important to be familiar with the area if a diversion is required. If
forecasted weather conditions are less than 2,000 feet and 3 miles, an
alternate must be filed.
A pilot may only include an alternate airport in an IFR flight plan when
appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or a combination of them,
indicate that, at the estimated time of arrival at the alternate airport,
P/N 23020-002
June 2008
• Note •
Flight Operations Manual
Supplementary Information
7-9