Why Some Instrument Approaches Can't Be Used as Alternates

Most instrument pilots know the standard alternate minimums: • 600-2 for a precision approach • 800-2 for a non-precision approach But what happens when the approach you planned to use says: A NA — Alternate Not Authorized? In this video, we'll walk through a real-world alternate planning scenario and uncover a common IFR trap that catches many pilots during flight planning and checkride preparation. Using Winchester, Virginia and Falwell Airport as examples, you'll learn: • Why an airport can still be a legal alternate even when one approach is marked "A NA" • Why RNAV approaches are treated differently for alternate planning purposes • How to determine the correct alternate minimums • What the black triangle with the "A" actually means • Where to find non-standard alternate minimums • What the FAA means by "unmonitored facility" • Why some ILS approaches cannot be used as alternates • How the absence of weather reporting affects alternate eligibility • The three primary reasons approaches receive the Alternate NA designation Many pilots see "A NA" and assume the airport can't be used as an alternate at all. Others see an ILS and immediately assume the answer is 600 and 2. As you'll see in this lesson, both assumptions can be wrong. Understanding why alternate restrictions exist—not just memorizing the rules—will help you make better IFR planning decisions and build a deeper understanding of the instrument system. 📘 Free IFR Checkride Study Guide FlightInsight's free 15-page IFR Checkride At-A-Glance guide covers the regulations, procedures, and common oral exam topics every instrument pilot should know before checkride day. Download it free here: https://www.flight-insight.com/ifr-pdf Explore FlightInsight's complete IFR training courses: https://www.flight-insight.com/ifr