---
title: "NCO.OP.144 Destination alternate aerodromes planning minima — helicopters — Part-NCO · Avioverse"
description: "An aerodrome shall not be specified as a destination alternate aerodrome unless the available current meteorological information indicates, for the…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-b/nco-op-144"
---

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

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

IR Implementing rule

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

An aerodrome shall not be specified as a destination [alternate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/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](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/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](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/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

GM Guidance material

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

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](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-nco/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.