Landing minimums are the minimum weather conditions required to continue and complete an instrument approach for landing. They are found on the approach chart and in the operator’s OpSpecs. For Part 121, the FAA says a pilot may not continue past the FAF, or begin the final approach segment, unless the latest weather report shows the visibility is at or above the minimum visibility prescribed for that procedure.

Alternate minimums are different. They are used during dispatch planning to decide whether an airport is legal to list as an alternate. Under Part 121, an airport cannot be listed as an alternate unless weather reports or forecasts show the weather will be at or above the alternate weather minima specified in the certificate holder’s OpSpecs when the flight arrives.

When to use alternate minimums?

Anytime you are selecting an alternate for planning purposes. (Takeoff alternate, destination alternate, enroute alternate, ETOPS alternate)

Alternate minimums are 600-2,…

In short: yes.

Not because dispatchers are expected to be mechanics, but because aircraft systems knowledge helps you understand the seriousness of a situation and make better operational decisions.

For example, if Maintenance tells you a bleed valve is stuck closed, that may not mean much unless you understand what the bleed air system supports. Suddenly, you may need to think about anti-ice capability, pressurization, air conditioning, MEL restrictions, routing, altitude limitations, weather, and whether icing exists along the route.

Maintenance will identify the issue. The manuals will tell you the restrictions. But your knowledge helps you understand the operational relevance of the problem.

That is what separates someone who simply reads a manual from someone who can think like a dispatcher.

You do not need to be a mechanic, but you do need enough systems knowledge to recognize when something is routine, abnormal, or potentially critical. This makes you more…

https://training.flightinnovation.com/products/courses/ai-placeholder-4

To answer question: can you practice at home?

Yes, please see this app (flight innovation app) Best on tablet, proceed to student resources and then flight planning. You have - I believe everything you need to practice.

Please do not assume you require our flight planning spreadsheet. We have done it for years with just pen and paper. It’s designed only to speed up the process as we have only 200 hours in class. However good practice comes from figuring out your own wind component/ground speed etc. As you are required to know how for the exam. Instructions are in Flight Planning Guide booklet. We will not share PDFs as those are controlled documents. Please access thru the app. I am working on additional solutions. Also feel free to come in and use conference room computer to practice outside of your scheduled hours as long as instructor is on duty.