Originally Posted by
flyingtigermco
So I guess for this scenario they are throwing out any consideration of the FAR that states you must have a take-off alternate that is within 1 hour, still air, one engine inoperative if the weather at your departure is below CAT I landing mininmums?
Seems to me you have no option but to continue to an airport to which you can safely land. Why risk the entire aircraft and everyones life on board to possibly save one person?
My initial thought as well, however, there is nothing that states that your takeoff alternate has to be along your route of flight. Even accounting for good judgment and common sense, you may have no other choice.
In this case the T/O alternate could be in the complete opposite of your route of flight leaving you to backtrack the 20 minutes that you already flew and tack on the original one hour from departure airport. This in addition to the no-doubt screaming headwind that you would now encounter in this hypothetical scenario.
Certainly bring up the T/O alternate requirement, but I don't believe that it nullifies the question. (I know that you didn't say that it did. Just a comment.)
Also, the reg doesn't specify CAT I mins. It just says if the airport is below landing minimums for a return. That could include CAT III as long as the airport, aircraft and crew meet the requirements prior to departure. (That's a can of worms.) Again, just a comment. It doesn't really apply to this scenario since they made the blanket statement that the airport was below landing mins.
I think your last statement sums the situation up perfectly. And dundem and joepilot are right on.
Cheers,
Hog