If the aircraft is missing its alternate airports manual (Brick) and you are departing from a non-maintenance station, what should the PIC do?

If the aircraft is missing its alternate airports manual (Brick) and you are departing from a non-maintenance station, what should the PIC do?

• A. Proceed as planned without consulting
• B. Land at the nearest airport
• C. File a maintenance report after flight
• D. Contact Dispatch to determine impact

Answer: (D)

When essential planning resources for flight contingencies are unavailable, the PIC must escalate to the appropriate operations authority rather than proceeding blindly. Missing the alternate airports manual (Brick) means there is no approved contingency plan for an alternate destination, so the PIC should contact Dispatch to determine the impact on the flight. Dispatch holds the flight release authority and up-to-date operational information; they can confirm whether the planned flight can proceed, needs to be delayed, or requires changes to the alternate plan and related approvals. At a non-maintenance station, there isn’t a ready maintenance resource to supply Brick on the spot, so Dispatch is the proper channel to assess safety, compliance, and execution. Proceeding without consultation could violate procedures; landing at an unapproved airport or filing a maintenance report after flight wouldn’t address the immediate need for an authorized plan.

When essential planning resources for flight contingencies are unavailable, the PIC must escalate to the appropriate operations authority rather than proceeding blindly. Missing the alternate airports manual (Brick) means there is no approved contingency plan for an alternate destination, so the PIC should contact Dispatch to determine the impact on the flight. Dispatch holds the flight release authority and up-to-date operational information; they can confirm whether the planned flight can proceed, needs to be delayed, or requires changes to the alternate plan and related approvals. At a non-maintenance station, there isn’t a ready maintenance resource to supply Brick on the spot, so Dispatch is the proper channel to assess safety, compliance, and execution. Proceeding without consultation could violate procedures; landing at an unapproved airport or filing a maintenance report after flight wouldn’t address the immediate need for an authorized plan.