When you are using GPS for navigation and instrument approaches, any required alternate airport must have

When you are using GPS for navigation and instrument approaches, any required alternate airport must have

• A. Authorization to fly approaches under IFR using GPS avionics
• B. An approved operational instrument approach procedure other than GPS
• C. A GPS approach that is anticipated to be operational at ETA
• D. A VOR approach only

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that an alternate airport must have a published instrument approach that provides a legitimate landing option even if GPS is unavailable. When you’re using GPS for navigation and instrument approaches, you want the alternate to be usable without relying exclusively on GPS. That’s why the best choice is an approved instrument approach procedure that does not depend on GPS. If the only available approaches at the alternate are GPS-based, you could be unable to land there if GPS fails or is degraded, making it unsuitable as an alternate. Options that require GPS as the only path, or that hinge on an approach not guaranteed to be available by ETA, don’t meet the redundancy needed for planning an alternate. Having a non-GPS approach (such as VOR, ILS, or other conventional procedures) ensures you have a reliable landing option under IFR.

The key idea is that an alternate airport must have a published instrument approach that provides a legitimate landing option even if GPS is unavailable. When you’re using GPS for navigation and instrument approaches, you want the alternate to be usable without relying exclusively on GPS. That’s why the best choice is an approved instrument approach procedure that does not depend on GPS. If the only available approaches at the alternate are GPS-based, you could be unable to land there if GPS fails or is degraded, making it unsuitable as an alternate. Options that require GPS as the only path, or that hinge on an approach not guaranteed to be available by ETA, don’t meet the redundancy needed for planning an alternate. Having a non-GPS approach (such as VOR, ILS, or other conventional procedures) ensures you have a reliable landing option under IFR.