P/N 23020-002 7-9
Cirrus SR20 and SR22 Flight Operations Manual
Section 7 Supplementary Information
Flight Planning
Pilots are encouraged to file VFR or IFR flight plans for all cross-
country flights. Pilots should always plan an alternate, whether
operating VFR or IFR.
The pilot should complete the following flight planning responsibilities:
Determine the best route and altitude considering; winds aloft,
freezing levels, cloud bases and tops, turbulence, terrain, airspace and
TFRs.
• Determine alternate airport.
• Calculate fuel requirements.
• Verify aircraft is within weight and balance limitations.
• Calculate takeoff and landing distances. Verify runway lengths
for intended airports.
• File flight plan.
Weather Assessment
Pilots should determine if the weather conditions exceed their
qualifications and capabilities. A decision should be made to postpone
the flight if the weather is not acceptable. Flight planning should
continue if the weather is acceptable.
• Note •
To facilitate flight planning, the U.S. Government provides a
free Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) for all
licensed pilots at http://www.duats.com.
IFR Alternate Airport Weather Requirements
If from 1 hour before to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival at the
destination airport, the weather is forecast to be at least 2,000 foot
ceilings and 3 mile visibilities, no alternate is required, though it is
important to be familiar with the area if a diversion is required. If
forecasted weather conditions are less than 2,000 feet and 3 miles, an
alternate must be filed.
A pilot may only include an alternate airport in an IFR flight plan when
appropriate weather reports or forecasts, or a combination of them,
indicate that, at the estimated time of arrival at the alternate airport,
June 2008
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