B737NG Landing Lights MEL
 

I have a question about the MEL on the Landing Lights.. MEL 33-8-(i)

Say the Left fixed landing light is inoperative. Night ops. MEL said "One may be inoperative on each side provided one of two operating lights is in fixed position."

What I understand from this is that since the fixed light is inoperative and the other should be in fixed position the left retractable landing light has to be left in the extended position. I guess this could be to cater for the failure of the extend mechanism. If the extend mechanism failed then you would have no lights on that side.

If this is the case then we also have to invoke MEL 33-8-1-a which says "The fuel burn is increased by 1.0 percent for each extended light."

Is my understanding correct or have I got it wrong?

According to some "One may be inoperative on each side provided one of two operating lights is in fixed position." means that the other fixed landing light should be operational no need to keep the retractable landing lights in the extended position.

thank you..

My understanding from what you've quoted is that at least one of the operative lights must be the fixed landing lights and not the retractable. If both fixed landing lights are u/s, then night ops are illegal. No need to keep the retractable lights extended.
One fixed light on one side and one retractable on the other side is the minimum.

That's the way I read it too.
Besides, If I remember this correctly, Boeing suggests retracting the retractable landing lights before or at 250 kts IAS. Having to fly with one light extended would hinder normal ops, would it not?