Page 37 - Volume 15 Number 8

The MEL is thoroughly reviewed by the FAA and carries the force and effect of a Federal Air Regulation – in effect
it is a revision of the airworthiness sections
of the Federal Air Regulations that
applies only to that operator, flying that type of airplane.
take off with the balky alternator annunciator?” That led us into a discussion of Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), Pilot’s Operating Handbooks (POHs), and Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs).
FARs FAR 91.205 lists the equipment that needs to be installed and operable in order for an airplane to be flown legally ... and safely. The “reg” breaks down requirements by the type of flight operation. See FAR 91.205 (b) for more details.
Visual Flight Rules – Day
Daytime visual flight rules (DVFR) operation requires:
• Basic engine instrumentation;
• An airspeed indicator, altimeter,
and magnetic compass; and
• If the airplane has retractable landing gear, a landing gear position indicator.
There are further requirements for anti-collision lighting, although it may be inoperable on a flight made to a location where repairs will be made. Seat belts and other items are also mentioned. See FAR 91.205 (b) for more details.
Visual Flight Rules – Night
Nighttime flight under visual flight rules (NVFR) mandates all of the above, plus:
• Approved position lights;
• An “adequate source of electrical energy” for all installed electrical equipment; and
• A complete set of spare fuses or three spare fuses of each kind required in the airplane that are accessible to the pilot in flight. (FAR 91.205 (c)).
Instrument Flight Rules (Day or Night)
Flight under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), even if flown in VFR conditions, requires all of the above, and additionally:
• Two-way radio communications and navigational equipment appropriate to the facilities to be used;
• Gyroscopic rate-of-turn, attitude and heading indicators;
• A slip/skid indicator;
• A barometrically adjustable (“sensitive”) altimeter;
• A generator or alternator of adequate capacity; and
• A clock with sweep second hand or digital presentation including hours, minutes and seconds (FAR 91.205 (d)).
Back to my Baron Student
It appears that there’s no requirement for an alternator warning annunciator. So he concluded that it’s legal for him to depart with this inoperative light.
Not so fast...
There’s more to Part 91. FAR 91.213, Inoperative Instruments and Equipment, tells us that all installed equipment must be operable for takeoff unless (1) the equipment is not required under 91.205, (2) the equipment is not required to be operative under an Airworthiness Directive, and (3) the airplane’s Pilots Operating Handbook does not otherwise require the equipment be in working order (more on that in a moment).
91.213 further states that, if flight is allowed with the equipment
AUGUST 2011
TWIN & TURBINE • 35
Photo by Dianne White