z987k
Well-Known Member
135.219 - No person may take off an aircraft under IFR or begin an IFR or over-the-top operation unless the latest weather reports or forecasts, or any combination of them, indicate that weather conditions at the estimated time of arrival at the next airport of intended landing will be at or above authorized IFR landing minimums.
Pretty straight forward, here's the scenario.
METAR - 010553Z 36004KT 1/4SM R07R/2000V2400FT FG VV003 01/M01 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP132 4/008 T00061011 10006 21011 50004
TAF - 010537Z 0106/0212 VRB03KT 1/4SM FZFG OVC001
TEMPO 0110/0114 4SM BR SCT001 BKN008
FM011400 02004KT 4SM BR SCT002 OVC010
FM012100 02005KT P6SM SCT010 BKN100
FM020600 36008KT P6SM VCSH BKN050
ETA is 1200Z. I don't see a problem with launching. The forecast states that temporarily from 10-14Z, the visibility will be 4SM. More than enough for the ILS.
I have been told that I am incorrect, and that legally I cannot launch because the "weather reports or forecasts or any combination thereof" in the forecast includes the first line. Since that line is worse weather, then according to 8900.1 3-2050, it is controlling. More or less, I've been told the TEMPO means nothing in regards to launching or determining alternates unless it's worse than the other part of the forecast.
Hopefully I am articulating what was told to me.
This seems counter intuitive. If we truly took all the available weather products for an area there's be lots of times I could never launch anywhere. For example if an Area forecast said there would be widespread less than 1/4SM, but the TAF for an airport in that area reads P6SM all day long, and the metars concur, it would be stupid to not be able to go... but that's any combination thereof and the worse of the two controlling.
I guess what I'm looking for is validation that, in fact the TEMPO portion of the TAF can not be used for determining destination and alternate weather if the normally forecasted portion is worse. I didn't find anything super relevant in chief council opinions.