Christiaanj
"If one of the TRs is inoperative for any reason, the slight increase in thrust between idle and reverse thrust will not have a significant impact on the landing distance."
With a locked reverser, the affected engine won't go beyond idle thrust.
is there really no way to simplify MELs and MEL procedures and all that?
Like:
"With one TR locked out, you do NOT land under such and such conditions."
Or.... no subtle and confusing instructions...
"On touchdown, retard both TLs to idle, then to reverse."
MELs are generally quite straightforward.
On this very subject, some MELs read thus : "Operations on contaminated runways are forbidden"
Operating procedures belong there, but newly published ones, until their inclusion are to be found on the aircraft technical briefing that everycrew consults - and takes on-board - at the flight preparation.
To be more precise, for each item on the MEL, one would find :
- The MEL item number referring to the systems universal ATA chapter ...
- The authorised max period for repair as A,B... A being a no-go
- The number of systems
- The minimum number of systems required, referring to airworthiness.
- An asterix denotes a dispatch requirement (like "Do not dispatch on contaminated runways)
- A maintenance procedure, citing the MM numbered protocol.
- A crew Operational procedure.
That ATA number is then reported on the Tech Briefing as a list of *TECHNICAL TOLERANCES* submitted to the Flight Captain's approval.His judgemnent is final. (in my country).
The same ATA number is also reported in the ATL -*Aircraft Technical logbook*-with the title of the item.