As per the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) you cannot dispatch a plane for ETOPS if it has PRIM 1 FAULT (Flight computer fault) However if this fault appears in flight just prior to entering the ETOPS/EDTO segment should you still continue or fly a non ETOPS/EDTO route? Since the MEL is only referred to prior to flight, I cannot refer to this document to justify not flying the ETOPS route. There is a requirement though for twins that all EDTO significant systems should be operational before conducting an ETOPS/EDTO flight. I haven’t seen an EDTO specific significant systems list only the general list published by ICAO which includes almost all the systems of the plane. The question is, would PRIM 1 fault, which was considered a NO GO on the ground still be considered an EDTO significant system in flight wherein it would only result to a loss of a pair of spoilers and computer redundancy? I hope somebody here would share their EDTO significant systems list.
-
3$\begingroup$ Welcome to Aviation.SE! Could you please add which aircraft you are talking about? You mention ECAM, so I guess an Airbus, but the exact model would probably help answering the question. $\endgroup$– BianfableNov 11, 2020 at 12:19
-
5$\begingroup$ Don't you have a training captain or company representative you can ask this question? $\endgroup$– Ron BeyerNov 11, 2020 at 12:50
-
2$\begingroup$ I'd say just go for it, continue w/ ETOPS. Let me know if you took my advice and how it all worked out! $\endgroup$– quiet flyerNov 11, 2020 at 14:41
-
1$\begingroup$ Welcome to aviation.SE! I don't know that there's any clear answer to this, because each airline's OpSpecs (or equivalent) may have different guidelines. Even if the PIC always makes the final decision, I assume they'll follow the OpSpecs unless there's a good reason not to. $\endgroup$– PondlifeNov 11, 2020 at 19:18
-
$\begingroup$ Thank you for all the responses. I just want know what other pilots think and I appreciate it. I asked this question because it was given in the simulator. As for the scenario above, you haven’t started ETOPS OR EDTO yet $\endgroup$– vtv94Nov 12, 2020 at 8:06
1 Answer
Since you are already airborne, the MMEL doesn't come into it. The system was normal when you dispatched. What applies is the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook). You should look for that particular message in the QRH in the section on status messages (I assume that fault messages are white status messages in Airbus-land).
If there are any restrictions on ETOPS operations with a fault that comes on while airborne, there will be a notation of some kind to that effect, referenced or attached to that message in the QRH, that you have to divert or take some sort of mitigating action before or after entering ETOPS conditions. If not, you're good to go.
The MMEL is based on an analysis of risk exposure related to potential follow-on effects following a departure with a degraded system (that is, a second failure of the remaining component of the system in flight that renders the entire system inoperative or operationally compromised). The risk level prior to departure is higher than the risk level while airborne, because as a general rule, double failures on the same flight are assumed to be extremely improbable.
And, obviously, you should consult with someone in authority at your airline instead of going on the statements of anonymous nobodies on the intertubes...
