---
title: "SPO.OP.144 Destination alternate aerodrome planning minima — helicopters — Part-SPO · Avioverse"
description: "The operator shall only select an aerodrome as a destination alternate aerodrome if the available current meteorological information indicates, for the…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-spo/subpart-b/spo-op-144"
---

# SPO.OP.144 Destination alternate aerodrome planning minima — helicopters

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

Official sources: [EASA Easy Access Rules (opens in a new tab)](https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/easy-access-rules/easy-access-rules-air-operations) · [EUR-Lex 2012/965 (opens in a new tab)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32012R0965)

IR Implementing rule

## SPO.OP.144 Destination alternate aerodrome planning minima — helicopters

The operator shall only select an aerodrome as a destination [alternate aerodrome](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/alternate-aerodrome) if 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 1 500 m by day or 3 000 m by [night](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/night); or

(b) for an alternate aerodrome without an IAP:

(1) a ceiling of at least 2 000 ft or the minimum safe IFR height, whichever is greater; and

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

IR · SPO.OP.144 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2021/2237 · 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-spo/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 2 Nov 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.