DADE DADE Aircraft Systems & Airworthiness 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) in dispatch operations?
- A document for passengers describing in-flight procedures
- The FAA-approved document containing aircraft limitations, performance data, and operating procedures that dispatchers must use for release decisions (Correct answer)
- A maintenance log for engine overhaul intervals
- A crew scheduling reference document
Correct answer: The FAA-approved document containing aircraft limitations, performance data, and operating procedures that dispatchers must use for release decisions
The AFM is the FAA-approved document containing certified performance data, operating limitations, and procedures that dispatchers must reference when computing performance and making release decisions.
Question 2: What does the term 'aircraft airworthiness' mean in the context of dispatch?
- The aircraft has been washed and cleaned to airline standards
- The aircraft conforms to its type certificate and is in condition for safe flight, with all required equipment operative or deferred per MEL (Correct answer)
- The aircraft fuel tanks are full
- The aircraft has completed its scheduled maintenance cycle
Correct answer: The aircraft conforms to its type certificate and is in condition for safe flight, with all required equipment operative or deferred per MEL
Airworthiness means the aircraft conforms to its type certificate design and is in a condition for safe flight, with any inoperative items handled per the approved MEL.
Question 3: What is the function of the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)?
- A list of required emergency equipment for each flight
- The FAA-approved basis document from which each carrier's MEL is developed, defining which items may be inoperative under specified conditions (Correct answer)
- A checklist for pre-departure maintenance inspections
- A catalog of spare parts required at each maintenance base
Correct answer: The FAA-approved basis document from which each carrier's MEL is developed, defining which items may be inoperative under specified conditions
The MMEL is the FAA-approved document for each aircraft type that defines which equipment may be inoperative and under what conditions, forming the basis for each carrier's customized MEL.
Question 4: Under what condition may a carrier dispatch an aircraft with an inoperative item NOT listed in its MEL?
- If the captain approves the departure
- Never — items not listed in the MEL must be operative before dispatch (Correct answer)
- If the dispatcher determines the item is non-essential
- If the aircraft is on a repositioning flight with no passengers
Correct answer: Never — items not listed in the MEL must be operative before dispatch
If an inoperative item is not in the MEL, it must be repaired before the aircraft can be legally dispatched — there is no MEL relief available for unlisted items.
Question 5: What does 'deferred maintenance' mean for a dispatcher releasing a flight?
- Maintenance that will never need to be performed
- A documented inoperative item deferred per MEL with a specific repair interval — the dispatcher must verify the deferral is within its allowable interval (Correct answer)
- Any maintenance performed after the aircraft lands
- Maintenance scheduled for the next heavy check
Correct answer: A documented inoperative item deferred per MEL with a specific repair interval — the dispatcher must verify the deferral is within its allowable interval
Deferred maintenance means an inoperative item has been documented per MEL with an allowable deferral interval, and the dispatcher must verify the deferral remains within its allowed time before release.
Question 6: What is the significance of a 'ferry permit' (special flight permit) for a dispatcher?
- Authorization for faster-than-normal cruise speeds
- FAA authorization to fly an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness requirements to a maintenance facility for repairs (Correct answer)
- Permission to fly without an alternate airport
- Authorization to carry extra fuel above maximum zero fuel weight
Correct answer: FAA authorization to fly an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness requirements to a maintenance facility for repairs
A special flight permit (ferry permit) is FAA authorization to operate an aircraft that does not meet airworthiness requirements for a specific flight to reach a maintenance facility.
DADE DADE Aircraft Systems & Airworthiness 1
What is the purpose of the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) in dispatch operations?