What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) item you've had MEL'd?

[Bandit_Driver]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

On the Chinook, the Advanced Flight Control System (AFCS). The AFCS works with various components to make the aircraft a lot more stable. Without it, the helicopter becomes a handful while hovering, but even more so in forward flight. As a quick example, you might have to hold a significant amount of aft cyclic to keep the nose pitched down so you have forward airspeed. It has a tendency to get into significant oscillations and keeping it coordinated doesn't follow any normal laws of aerodynamics. At any rate, it's a major PITA!

Got real lucky to have the number 1 and number 2 AFCS die on me on a multiple day mission in Iraq when we were sling-loading 18,000 lb containers all over the place.

A heavy swinging load attached to an inherently unstable helicopter = major suck factor.

And my air-conditioning was inop as well seeing as they failed to install it at the Boeing factory.

Nothing but the best for the military

I feel for you guys. The crap you military guys have to deal with, but shouldn't

 

[DE727UPS]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

"Standby ADI"

I'm surprised you could go with that one.

"Fuel Gauges (drip sticks are fun) Yes, I said drip sticks"

I remember reading about drip sticks but it was a maintenance function at UPS so I never had to touch it. Putting the tailstand in supposedly we were supposed to know how to do (-200) but I think it would have took me a while to figure it out.

 

[Bandit_Driver]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

"Standby ADI"

I'm surprised you could go with that one.

"Fuel Gauges (drip sticks are fun) Yes, I said drip sticks"

I remember reading about drip sticks but it was a maintenance function at UPS so I never had to touch it. Putting the tailstand in supposedly we were supposed to know how to do (-200) but I think it would have took me a while to figure it out.

The tail stand weighs 60 lbs and is coated in turbine Oil, not fun.

We can go but it is so restrictive it is almost impossible to go (see below)
Just curious if you still have the UPS 727 MEL. Wondering if it is in yours.

May be inoperative provided:
a) Operations are conducted in day VMC only, and
b) Operations are not conducted into known or forecast VFR-on-Top conditions.

ACTION REQUIRED
1. (M) Notify Director of Operations. Adjustment to flight plan may be required.
2. (M) Place the following placard on the Standby Horizon indicator. INOP - OPERATION RESTRICTED TO DAY VMC ONLY. VFR-ON-TOP PROHIBITED. 3. (M) Enter action taken in aircraft Log Book.

 

[Ian_J]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

Nothing but the best for the military

I feel for you guys. The crap you military guys have to deal with, but shouldn't

I'm just glad there isn't another CH-47 pilot on the board to tell me I'm a wussy for complaining about flying without an AFCS!

 

[Ralgha]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

Not picking on you higney.......but all of you jet/ dash drivers are spoiled! Whaaa, my APU doesn't work. Boo Hoo :tease:

Try hanging out in a SAAB or a 1900 (has no APU) leg after leg, day after day, baking in that thing and sweating your a$$ off. It's nearly impossible to get A/C carts at most stations, they either don't have them available or are just too lazy to get 'em. :banghead:

Around here in the summer we refuse airplanes with no APU because of the lack of A/C. 115 degrees in the shade = heat stroke in an airplane with no A/C.

 

[kellwolf]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

Around here in the summer we refuse airplanes with no APU because of the lack of A/C. 115 degrees in the shade = heat stroke in an airplane with no A/C.

Yeah, our company's solution is to hand out cold towels to the passengers.....seriously.

 

[Ralgha]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

Yeah, our company's solution is to hand out cold towels to the passengers.....seriously.

Wouldn't fly with me, nor most other captains here (sorry for the bad pun).

It seriously does get 115 in the shade, so imagine what it would be on the ramp. Then imagine what it would be in a gray and blue airplane that has only a boarding door open. No APU is no-go. Even a pack MEL'd can be cause for refusal, depending on the route. Two Fresno-Vegas round trips during the hottest part of the day...nope, you're getting us another airplane with two working packs. Did that one last year.

Luckily MEL'd APUs are quite rare here, as are MEL'd packs.

 

[BobDDuck]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

We had a captain fired last summer for refusing a flight due to the cabin temp getting up to 40c. He got his job back (mostly because it says in our FOM anything over 31 and you can refuse) but it was a hassle.

 

[Ralgha]

Re: What's the biggest (most flight-critical, odd, etc.) ite

We had a captain fired last summer for refusing a flight due to the cabin temp getting up to 40c. He got his job back (mostly because it says in our FOM anything over 31 and you can refuse) but it was a hassle.

Psshaw that's downright cold by my standards! :yup: