What must a high mins captain do when planning to fly to a destination using cat 1 minimums under Exemption 17203?

When planning to fly to a destination using Category 1 minimums under Exemption 17203, a high mins captain is required to engage in a number of critical steps to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Flying a standard approach is essential because it involves adhering to the well-established procedures and guidelines that have been designed for aircraft operations under specific weather conditions. This approach ensures that the flight will operate within the parameters that the aircraft and crew are certified to handle.

Ensuring that weather conditions exceed minimums is a crucial part of this planning. The high mins captain must verify that the weather conditions at the destination meet or exceed the regulatory requirements for a safe approach and landing. Operating under minimums poses significant risks, so a higher safety threshold is vital.

Performing a coupled approach, which involves using the autopilot and flight director in conjunction with the aircraft's systems, is also part of the requirement. This method provides additional precision and consistency during the approach, enhancing safety in otherwise low visibility or challenging conditions.

Incorporating all these elements—flying a standard approach, ensuring weather conditions are suitable, and performing a coupled approach—collectively supports safe flight operations and regulatory compliance under Exemption 17203. Ensuring all these criteria are met is