is TCAS required
 

Im flying an airliner and I have a question which I couldn't find an official answer for:
When I have a malfunctioning TCAS on board and I look it up on the MEL, it says that one of the conditions to dispatch a flight with an inoperative TCAS system is that:
"Enroute or approach procedures do not require its use."

And the question is: does enroute or approach procedures or regulations require its use or not?

I suggest that this will depend on what country/countries you are flying in as the rules may differ from place to place.

Your company may also have a view on this which may be more conservative than your national regulator. Best check with them.

Our AIP says:

So the answer to your question, here at least, would be "enroute prcoedures do require it's use", therefore she's a No Go item.

Don't remember....Is TCAS required for PRM approaches?

Maybe someone knows....


Fly safe,

PantLoad

TCAS and Transponders are two different systems with regards to the TCAS its all down to the airspace being entered, MEL and company policy.
If it fails down route it maybe that you can operate back if airspace and MEL allow but you'd need to get the ATC flightplan updated that you're no longer equipped with TCAS. Some MEL's will require the chief's approval.

I've had to take the long way around India several times, due to no TCAS. You have to check each countries rules and regs.

TCAS may be an MEL item but is not required under said governance, what is required mostly is your transponder so the other aircraft can recieve a solution.

I think, like most said, it depends which country you operating into.

Unless you have the AIP of all the countries you are going to fly over, I don't think you can answer that question (in the flight deck).

@grounded27, even that depends on your country of registration and operation. TCAS is a MEL item under european rules, however with a repair time of 10 days, except if operating into german airspace, then it is only three days without exemption.

Denti, has pointed out the big got'cha euro drivers face, as germany, is stricter than the other euro countries...
-but to convince ops you right, might take a few minutes of your time.:ugh:

I did a North Pacific crossing to SFO of all places, with TCAS inop. Checked all the regs at the time and there was no reason not to dispatch.
However, common sense dictates that you inform everyone along the way. That's what I did, including on first contact with SFO. That way they won't instruct a low level sidestep or position you too close to other traffic.
Still ended up with a little less sleep in the bunk though!

is TCAS required
 

So if I don't have the AIP of the countries I'm flying to on board (which I certainly don't!), then it's an issue for the ops./dispatch department to check and decide wether the dispatch is legal or not??

Who is responsible for a complete and thorough pre-flight?

The AIPs should be part of your route manual. I know for sure they are in ours. And as said above, the PIC is responsible for flight preparation in most countries.

The MEL should be tailored for your operation and should tell you in what airspace TCAS is required on your network. If your operator is unwilling to amend the MEL then get them to confirm, in writing, that TCAS is not required on your particular route. If they are unwilling to do so then don't go.

TCAS is also required for RVSM.

Many years ago I had a Tristar down in Mexico with a flight back to the States. It was Easter Monday with a failed TCAS. So I spoke to an FAA official to see what could be done. After a brief disscusion he said to me "I am going to ask you one question to which you can only answer with a yes or a no". The said question "do you have TCAS fitted". The answer was of course "Yes". The said official then said that there was a percentage of the civil fleet that flew in the states in accordance with the relevant MEL but safety was increased as there was a larger number of the fleet with TCAS operating. Mind you that was back in the 90's

Since when?

TCAS must be fitted but can be inoperative, at least in Europe countries make their own rules whether ATC has to be informed or approval has to be obtained before flying through their airspace. Had the TCAS go bad in the 737 a few times flying across the Balkans and eastern Europe...

still no answer
 

I can just see the AIP Library on the average wandering G550..... maxed out just on AIPs. (who keeps them up to date, and pays for the subscription.)

Happy Christmas.

Glf