What are the weather minimums required for an airport with an approved instrument approach to be listed as an alternate airport on an IFR flight plan?

The weather minimums for an airport with an approved instrument approach to be listed as an alternate airport on an IFR flight plan dictate specific ceiling and visibility requirements. The correct choice specifies a ceiling of 800 feet and visibility of 2 statute miles (SM) for nonprecision approaches. This aligns with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which state that for nonprecision approaches, the standard minimums must be at least 800 feet ceiling and 2 SM visibility for an alternate airport to qualify.

For precision approaches, the required minimums would indeed differ, typically setting a higher standard, which reflects the greater accuracy and reliability of precision approaches compared to nonprecision ones. Understanding these distinctions is vital for flight planning and safety, particularly in determining the viability of alternate airports during IFR operations.

Being aware of the specific regulations surrounding alternate airport selection ensures pilots can make informed decisions, enhancing operational safety under IFR conditions.