Alternate aerodromes — general requirements
40.—(1)  An AOC holder must ensure that an aerodrome is not nominated as an alternate for a flight of any small aeroplane unless —
(a)where the aerodrome has a specified instrument approach procedure, the weather forecasts indicate that, at the estimated time of use, the cloud ceiling and visibility at that aerodrome will be at or above the minima specified in the Operations Manual; or
(b)where the aerodrome has no specified instrument approach procedure, weather forecasts indicate that, at the estimated time of use, the cloud ceiling and visibility at that aerodrome will be at or above the Visual Flight Rules minima prescribed in the Rules of the Air.
(2)  An AOC holder must ensure that a heliport is not nominated as an alternate for a flight of any helicopter unless —
(a)the heliport is adequate for the type of helicopter and operation concerned; and
(b)the available information indicate that, at the estimated time of use, the conditions at the heliport are at or above the heliport operating minima for that operation.
(3)  For every flight mentioned in paragraph (1), an AOC holder must establish, and specify in its Operations Manual —
(a)appropriate incremental values for the height of cloud base and visibility to be added to the AOC holder’s established aerodrome operating minima to ensure that an adequate margin of safety is observed in determining whether an approach and landing can be safely carried out at each alternate aerodrome; and
(b)the margin of time for the estimated time of use of an aerodrome.
(4)  Despite regulations 41, 42 and 43, the Director‑General of Civil Aviation may, based on the results of a specific safety risk assessment conducted by an AOC holder, approve operational variations to alternate aerodrome selection criteria.
(5)  The safety risk assessment mentioned in paragraph (4) is conducted to demonstrate how an AOC holder maintains an equivalent level of safety and must include an assessment of the following matters:
(a)the capabilities of the AOC holder;
(b)the overall capability of the aircraft and its systems;
(c)the available aerodrome technologies, capabilities and infrastructure;
(d)the quality and reliability of meteorological information;
(e)any identified hazards and safety risks associated with each alternate aerodrome variation;
(f)the specific mitigation measures.