When planning with GPS and WAAS, how should you treat the alternate minimums for planning?

When planning with GPS and WAAS, how should you treat the alternate minimums for planning?

• A. Plan on LNAV or circling minima (GPS) for planning.
• B. Plan on LPV minima.
• C. Plan on ILS minima.
• D. Plan on VOR/DME minima.

Answer: (A)

When planning an alternate with GPS and WAAS, use LNAV or circling GPS minima for planning. LPV minima rely on WAAS for vertical guidance and can be lower, but they aren’t guaranteed to be available or operable at the alternate airport. For planning purposes, you must count on minimums that don’t require the WAAS vertical guidance you might not have at the alternate, so LNAV (lateral-only) or GPS circling minima are the appropriate planning targets. ILS or VOR/DME minimums pertain to other navigation systems and aren’t used for planning an alternate based on GPS/WAAS.

When planning an alternate with GPS and WAAS, use LNAV or circling GPS minima for planning. LPV minima rely on WAAS for vertical guidance and can be lower, but they aren’t guaranteed to be available or operable at the alternate airport. For planning purposes, you must count on minimums that don’t require the WAAS vertical guidance you might not have at the alternate, so LNAV (lateral-only) or GPS circling minima are the appropriate planning targets. ILS or VOR/DME minimums pertain to other navigation systems and aren’t used for planning an alternate based on GPS/WAAS.