What should a pilot consider when selecting an alternate airport?

When selecting an alternate airport, considering the lowest compatible approach minimums is crucial because these minimums determine the safety and feasibility of landing at that airport under various weather conditions. In scenarios where the primary destination has deteriorating weather, pilots rely on the approach minimums of the alternate airport to ensure that they can safely conduct an approach and land if necessary.

Lowest compatible approach minimums reflect the requirements for instrument approaches and help pilots assess whether they can expect to land at the alternate if the weather falls below visual flight rules (VFR) conditions. If these minimums are too high, it increases the risk that the pilot may not be able to land safely at the alternate airport if diversion is necessary.

Other factors such as the presence of a control tower, availability of VFR conditions, and the type of aircraft that can land may also be relevant, but they do not prioritize the essential safety aspect provided by having lower approach minimums, which is a key factor in emergency and diversion planning. This makes approach minimums a critical consideration when selecting an alternate airport.