NCO.OP.144 Destination alternate aerodromes planning minima — helicopters

ANNEX VII (Part-NCO) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IRImplementing rule

NCO.OP.144Destination alternate aerodromes planning minima — helicopters

An aerodrome shall not be specified as a destination alternate aerodrome unless the available current meteorological information indicates, for the period from 1 hour before until 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, or from the actual time of departure to 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival, whichever is the shorter period,

(a)for an alternate aerodrome with an IAP:

(1)a ceiling of at least 200 ft above the DH or MDH associated with the IAP; and

(2)a visibility of at least 1 500m by day or 3 000m by night; or

(b)for an alternate aerodrome without an IAP:

(1)a ceiling of at least the higher of 2 000ft and the minimum safe IFR height; and

(2)a visibility of at least 1 500m by day or 3 000m by night.

IR · NCO.OP.144 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2021/2237 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GMGuidance material

GM1 NCO.OP.144Destination alternate aerodromes planning minima — helicopters

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MINIMUM SAFE IFR HEIGHT For the purpose of NCO.OP.144, the minimum safe IFR height is the height above the aerodrome of the lowest level compatible with SERA.5015(b) for en-route flight at a point from which visual flight to the aerodrome could reasonably be commenced.

GM · GM1 NCO.OP.144 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2022/012/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

All rules in SUBPART B: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

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