Hi all, I'm nearing my multi checkride. The Duchess I've been flying
has one of it's undervoltage alternator lights stuck so that's it's
always illuminated. It's been this way for a few months and I'm not
sure it will be fixed in time for my checkride. The day VFR list in
the FARs don't require it, but the Duchess POH equipment list claims
it's required. (not a real MEL, but the POH original equipment list)

The FARs also state 91.213d that if the PIC or a certified mechanic
feel the inop equipment "does not constitute a hazard to the
aircraft." ...

Anyway, with two alternators, two loadmeaters and the other 3
remaining warning light working, I personally feel it's not a hazard
doing a VFR checkride.

But, was wondering if the 91.213b statement will allow me to get
though the checkride legally? If it's placarded inop, but obviously
not deactivated because it's illuminated is that enough?

.... akiley

"akiley" > wrote in message
...
> Hi all, I'm nearing my multi checkride. The Duchess I've been flying
> has one of it's undervoltage alternator lights stuck so that's it's
> always illuminated. It's been this way for a few months and I'm not
> sure it will be fixed in time for my checkride. The day VFR list in
> the FARs don't require it, but the Duchess POH equipment list claims
> it's required. (not a real MEL, but the POH original equipment list)
>
> The FARs also state 91.213d that if the PIC or a certified mechanic
> feel the inop equipment "does not constitute a hazard to the
> aircraft." ...
>
> Anyway, with two alternators, two loadmeaters and the other 3
> remaining warning light working, I personally feel it's not a hazard
> doing a VFR checkride.
>
> But, was wondering if the 91.213b statement will allow me to get
> though the checkride legally? If it's placarded inop, but obviously
> not deactivated because it's illuminated is that enough?
>
> ... akiley


"If the administrator determines...", IOW it's up to the examiner. And if
you decide to take the ride this way be prepared to answer a lot of
questions about it, in detail. I've heard of a student get buried due to
problems like this. In one case a instrument was not working so the student
just removed it before the exam. The examiner then asked him about it...
placarding, weight and balance effects, where did he document this, how do
you re-install this and document the return to service. Who is authorized
to remove the equipment. When does an MEL come into play... and on and on.
He finally pink slipped the guy.

--
BobF.

On Mar 3, 2:36 pm, "Bob F." > wrote:
> "akiley" > wrote in message
>
> ...
>
>
>
> > Hi all, I'm nearing my multi checkride. The Duchess I've been flying
> > has one of it's undervoltage alternator lights stuck so that's it's
> > always illuminated. It's been this way for a few months and I'm not
> > sure it will be fixed in time for my checkride. The day VFR list in
> > the FARs don't require it, but the Duchess POH equipment list claims
> > it's required. (not a real MEL, but the POH original equipment list)
>
> > The FARs also state 91.213d that if the PIC or a certified mechanic
> > feel the inop equipment "does not constitute a hazard to the
> > aircraft." ...
>
> > Anyway, with two alternators, two loadmeaters and the other 3
> > remaining warning light working, I personally feel it's not a hazard
> > doing a VFR checkride.
>
> > But, was wondering if the 91.213b statement will allow me to get
> > though the checkride legally? If it's placarded inop, but obviously
> > not deactivated because it's illuminated is that enough?
>
> > ...akiley
>
> "If the administrator determines...", IOW it's up to the examiner. And if
> you decide to take the ride this way be prepared to answer a lot of
> questions about it, in detail. I've heard of a student get buried due to
> problems like this. In one case a instrument was not working so the student
> just removed it before the exam. The examiner then asked him about it...
> placarding, weight and balance effects, where did he document this, how do
> you re-install this and document the return to service. Who is authorized
> to remove the equipment. When does an MEL come into play... and on and on.
> He finally pink slipped the guy.
>
> --
> BobF.

I guess I could just call the examiner and ask. I'm on my 4th attempt
at a checkride. Mostly weather, but it's always something. ... akiley

On Mon, 3 Mar 2008 10:59:14 -0800 (PST), akiley
> wrote:

>Hi all, I'm nearing my multi checkride. The Duchess I've been flying
>has one of it's undervoltage alternator lights stuck so that's it's
>always illuminated. It's been this way for a few months and I'm not
>sure it will be fixed in time for my checkride. The day VFR list in
>the FARs don't require it, but the Duchess POH equipment list claims
>it's required. (not a real MEL, but the POH original equipment list)
>
>The FARs also state 91.213d that if the PIC or a certified mechanic
>feel the inop equipment "does not constitute a hazard to the
>aircraft." ...
>
>Anyway, with two alternators, two loadmeaters and the other 3
>remaining warning light working, I personally feel it's not a hazard
>doing a VFR checkride.
>
>But, was wondering if the 91.213b statement will allow me to get
>though the checkride legally? If it's placarded inop, but obviously
>not deactivated because it's illuminated is that enough?
>
>... akiley

Look at 91.213(d)(2)(ii):

(d) Except for operations conducted in accordance with paragraph (a)
or (c) of this section, a person may takeoff an aircraft in operations
conducted under this part with inoperative instruments and equipment
without an approved Minimum Equipment List provided --

(2) The inoperative instruments and equipment are not --

(ii) Indicated as required on the aircraft's equipment list, or on the
Kinds of Operations Equipment List for the kind of flight operation
being conducted;

Since it's listed as required in the equipment list, they need to fix
it, and literally read technically the aircraft should be grounded
until such a time as it is.