Inoperative Equipment Reference Sources Advisory Circular AC91-67 Minimum Equipment Requirements for General Aviation Operations under FAR Part 91 ( Definitions section at minimum) Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations o 91.213 Inoperative instruments and equipment o 91.205 Equipment and instrument requirements Inoperative Equipment Triage (included) Module Objectives 1. Many regulations govern what equipment and flight instruments are required to be onboard and operational for safe flight. Private pilots should be able to a) memorize all Federal Aviation Regulations. b) show that their airplane is safe and meets all tests for airworthiness. c) fly half of their flight with the equipment malfunctioning. 2. Operating an aircraft with a required instrument or a piece of required equipment that is missing or inoperative is a) safe and legal if the pilot in command says it is. b) safe, but not legal. c) neither safe, nor legal. Study Questions AC91-67 Minimum Equipment Requirements for GA Operations ( Definitions ) 3. What is a Minimum Equipment List (MEL)? a) The specific inoperative equipment document for a particular make and model aircraft by serial and registration number. b) A list of the minimum weight allowed onboard the aircraft with the weight of the standard equipment included. c) An airspeed indicator and oil temperature and pressure gauges. 10A- Inoperative Equipment 1
4. If a commercial operator goes through the process of applying for and receiving the FAA s approval to use an MEL, what does that permit? a) The aircraft is exempt from annual inspections and maintenance. b) The aircraft can carry loads beyond its certified maximum takeoff weight limitation. c) The aircraft may be operated under specified conditions with certain equipment inoperative. 5. Why would a commercial operator want an MEL? a) High volume, regularly scheduled, commercial operators can avoid having aircraft unnecessarily grounded when some nonessential item is inoperative. b) MEL certificates are decorative, and look great on the wall. c) The task of navigating FAA rules and regulations to obtain an MEL is challenging, and some people find the process enjoyable. 6. The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) lists the items of equipment and instruments that may be inoperative on a specific type of aircraft (e.g., Boeing 747) in general. Individual operators will use the MMEL as a starting point in applying to receive their specific for their specific airplane. a) Minimum Equipment List (MEL). b) flight waiver. c) placard. 14 CFR 91.213 Inoperative instruments and equipment 7. 14 CFR 91.213 subsection (d) describes the operation of aircraft without a) tires or landing gear. b) an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL). c) a valid registration certificate. 8. Why might it be required to have an inoperative item placarded as Inoperative on the control panel? a) As a reminder note to the aircraft owner or operator to have the part serviced. b) So that passengers can make their own determination regarding the safety of the aircraft. c) To inform pilots using the aircraft of the condition of the aircraft, so that they can make appropriate preflight and in-flight decisions for the safety of the flight. 10A- Inoperative Equipment 2
9. The aircraft equipment list cited in 14 CFR 91.213(d)(2)(ii) refers to a) the list of required and optional equipment as shown in the aircraft POH (commonly found in Section 6 Weight and Balance). b) a handwritten list obtained from an aviation mechanic. c) any list available online that shows the cockpit mounted instruments and equipment. 10. As is often the case in aviation regulations, 14 CFR 91.213(d)(2)(iii) refers the reader to another regulation to find the instruments and equipment required by type of flight operation. Which regulation has this information? a) 91.205. b) Subpart K of parts 121, 125, and 135. c) 21.197. 14 CFR 91.205 Equipment and instrument requirements 11. 14 CFR 91.205 contains lists of equipment and instruments required by the nature of flight. Which of the following types of flights have specific equipment requirements listed in this section? (Check all that apply.) Flights at or above 10,000 feet MSL Flights made during the day under Visual Flight Rules Flights made at night under Visual Flight Rules. Flights made on weekends Flights under Instrument Flight Rules 12. What are acceptable colors for the anticollision light system required for small airplanes certificated after March 11, 1996? a) White or amber. b) Aviation red. c) Aviation red or aviation white. 13. When must a flight carry at least one pyrotechnic signaling device? a) Night flights made over water. b) When the flight is operated for hire beyond power-off gliding distance from shore. c) When the flight is conducted over mountainous terrain and greater than 100 nautical miles from a populated area. 14. Each passenger over what minimum age must be equipped with a safety belt? a) 2 years old. b) 6 years old. c) 18 years old. 10A- Inoperative Equipment 3
15. What memory aid do you use to remember the equipment and instruments required for VFR flight? Day VFR Night VFR Handout Inoperative Equipment Triage 16. Why was the Inoperative Equipment Triage created? a) It simplifies the information contained in various aviation regulations and advisory circulars. b) Commercial operators can use it to update their Minimum Equipment Lists. c) Because prior to its creation, pilots were unable to determine airworthiness. 17. In what regulation can the list of items required for VFR flights during the day be found? 18. Where can a pilot find the aircraft s required equipment list? a) Online. b) The Pilot Operating Handbook or Airplane Flight Manual. c) In the airframe and powerplant maintenance logbooks. 19. Why might the FAA issue an airworthiness directive requiring some flight instrument or piece of equipment? a) Aviation manufacturer lobbyists pressed for additional equipment as a way to generate additional revenue. b) Accident reports or aircraft safety studies determined that the item was required to ensure the safety of the people onboard. c) For no reason. 20. During type certification, the aircraft manufacturer specifies the equipment onboard the aircraft in a Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS). Why is this item checked last in the Inoperative Equipment Triage process? a) TCDS s are cumbersome to read and analyze, and the equipment list they contain is more easily found in the airplane s POH for most planes. b) TCDS s are not available publicly. c) Only aviation attorneys are allowed to read and interpret the information in a Type Certificate Data Sheet. 10A- Inoperative Equipment 4
21. If an inoperative item is disabled or deactivated from use, what additionally must be done in order for the airplane to be airworthy? 22. If an inoperative item is removed from the aircraft, what additionally must be done in order for the airplane to be airworthy? 10A- Inoperative Equipment 5
Assignment Answers Answers 1. b 2. c 3. a 4. c 5. a 6. a 7. b 8. c 9. a 10. a 11. Flight operations with specific specific equipment requirements listed in 91.205. Flights at or above 10,000 feet MSL Flights made during the day under Visual Flight Rules Flights made at night under Visual Flight Rules. Flights made on weekends Flights under Instrument Flight Rules 12. c 13. b 14. a 15. VFR equipment and instruments: Day VFR G O O S E A C A T Night VFR A P E S 16. a 17. 14 CFR 91.205. 18. b 19. b 20. a 21. placarded as inoperative. 22. its removal must be noted in the POH and amended weight and balance sheet. 10A- Inoperative Equipment 6
Inoperative Equipment Triage (For operations without a MEL) Preflight Inspection Pilot discovers that a flight instrument or equipment item is missing or inoperative. Can the airplane be safely and legally flown? Test #1: PIC Judgment Does the pilot believe the item is required for safe operation of the aircraft? Test #2: 14 CFR 91.205 Is the item required by nature of the flight? (VFR/IFR, day/night) The airplane is grounded. Test #3: Airplane POH Is the item listed as required equipment on the equipment list in the airplane s POH? It is not legally airworthy and maintenance is required. Test #4: AD s Is the item required by any FAA-issued Airworthiness Directive? (WWW.FAA.GOV) Test #5: Type Certification Is the item required on the type certificate data sheet for the aircraft? (WWW.FAA.GOV) Aircraft can still be considered airworthy and flown, but only if or The inoperative item is disabled, deactivated and placarded as inoperative. Item is removed, and missing item noted in POH and amended weight and balance sheet. Go Fly! 10A- Inoperative Equipment 7