What is the minimum information required for departure, destination, and alternate airports?

• A. Current weather, NOTAMS, TAF, SIGMETs and AIRMETs
• B. Current weather, TAF, NOTAMS only
• C. Current weather, TAF, NOTAMS, FICONs, company NOTAMS, SIGMETs and AIRMETs
• D. Current weather, TAF only

Answer: (C)

The essential idea is to have a complete picture of weather, field conditions, and notices that could affect takeoff, landing, or the choice of an alternate. You need both current conditions and forecast for the airports involved, plus official notices that can change how you operate at those airports.

Current weather at each airport tells you what you’re facing right now. The TAFs give you the near-term forecast for planning ahead, so you can anticipate changes and determine feasibility for departure, approach, and alternate arrival. NOTAMs alert you to any active or scheduled disruptions at the airports, such as runway closures, instrument procedure changes, or airspace restrictions that could impact routing or requirements. FICONs provide field condition details like runway surface condition and braking action, which directly affect landing and takeoff performance. Company NOTAMS carry airline-specific operational restrictions or changes that aren’t in public notices but still affect how your crew will operate those airports. SIGMETs and AIRMETs inform you about significant weather hazards along the route and near the airports (such as severe thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, or strong wind shears) that could alter routing, hold times, or approach considerations.

All of these together form the minimum information package for departure, destination, and alternate airports. Options that omit any of these elements leave gaps in situational awareness and safety planning.