Pilots & Aircraft Defects

[TFaudree_ERAU]

(b) The pilot in command of a civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. The pilot in command shall discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur.

So you have a way of knowing that the red beacon on the belly of the aircraft burned out in the middle of the flight? I sure as hell don't.

What is your procedure after encountering a defect. Do you write it yourself, and abide by the MEL, or just let dispatch know and have it fixed when convenient to the company?

Regardless of the size of the company, there is no fixing it "when convenient to the company". Either the aircraft can be dispatched under the MEL, or it can't. If it can't, the airplane doesn't move until the problem is fixed. If the company has an MEL, then they expect the flight crew use it to the fullest extent possible while still operating legally.

Now as to what REALLY happens, I can't say.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Roger, Mike, Mini:

At my FBO the mechanic (airport manager of mom and pop deal, the son) picked up the ticket such as stall horn INOP, smiled, and dropped it in the trash.

I had a discussion about this specific issue with an FAA attorney - one of the ones who prosecutes certificate actions.

I was going to do a Wings presentation on the FAA enforcement process and asked him if there were any areas that he thought I should specifically mention. He said that if there were Part 135 pilots in my audience, the pressure on pilots to fly despite broken or inoperative equipment should definitely be given attention.

He understood the pressure on pilots to fly but pointed out that if there's a problem that results in an investigation and it's something that would show up in an adequate preflight, the pilot is definitely facing enforcement action.

I guess it's one of those "will I get caught and if I do what are the consequences" questions. But in terms of risk, the fact that this area was specifically mentioned by one of the FAA enforcement lawyers as a "watch out" tells me a lot.

 

[gomntwins]

Obviously if something is broken, it's Friday and I've just arrived in base. I carefully write up the squawk, notify the company that it needs to be fixed by Monday, and start drinking.

Yep.

 

[cefiro]

Obviously if something is broken, it's Friday and I've just arrived in base. I carefully write up the squawk, notify the company that it needs to be fixed by Monday, and start drinking.

"It definitely started acting up on final approach"