TCAS and The MEL

[Dan Kelly]

I can't seem to find the poll option, so this will have to be long hand.

I'm interested in views as to whether a jet transport should be despatched, and thus accepted for despatch by the tech crew, with a MEL applied to the TCAS, for proposed flight in or through:

[list=a]
Non radar Class E and/or Class G
Radar Class E and/or Class G
Class C and or Class A
[/list=a]

My opinion.

a. NO.

b. Perhaps, to a maintenance base for repair.

c. Yes but prohibited from entering Class E or G except in an emergency.

[SmallGlassofPort]

Dan,
Good thought. I guess it all comes down to deciding upon an 'acceptable level of safety'.
Personally I feel decidely uneasy in flight with the TCAS on the blink. It is of course fallible, I see one particular turboprop on my flights regularly and he seems to be always in stealth mode even when radar identified.
Airmanship would dictate that each defence mechanism be used to full extent and then follow roughly your ideas on the OMEL. I dont like giving the holes in the cheese too much chance to line up!

The law makers on the other hand would reakon that we dont need it as we have our sight. Next thing radar altimiters and GPWS will be out. I mean we can all see the ground in between the clouds cant we!!

Enough rambling. Agree with you.

Merry Christmas!