Is takeoff under IFR permitted to the next airport of intended landing if the latest weather reports indicate that the weather will be below landing minimums at the ETA?

• A. No
• B. Yes
• C. Only with dispatcher approval
• D. Only if alternate weather is above minimums

Answer: (A)

The rule hinges on ensuring you can land at the destination or at a suitable alternate. When operating IFR, you must forecast that, at the time you would arrive, the destination meets its landing minimums (or you have a designated alternate with acceptable weather). If the latest forecast shows the weather at the ETA would be below the destination’s landing minimums, you don’t have a valid landing option for that flight unless you’ve already selected an alternate that meets the minima and you’ll actually land there. Therefore, taking off toward that airport under IFR isn’t permitted, because you would not be able to land at the intended destination (or an appropriate alternate) based on the forecast.