Aircraft Operations and Equipment: Carriage Requirements and Limitations
Equipment by condition of flight
Equipment requirements depend on the type of operation, not just the aircraft. Know the difference between equipment required for VFR by day, VFR by night, IFR and over-water operations. Traps typically add an item to a category that does not require it, or remove one that does.
Instruments and systems
For IFR flight expect: attitude indicator, heading indicator, altimeter, airspeed indicator, turn coordinator, clock, and a means of displaying outside temperature where required. For night VFR, add a landing light and adequate electrical supply. For operations over water beyond gliding distance, life jackets and, at greater distances, life rafts and survival equipment.
Oxygen and pressurisation
Know the oxygen rules by cabin pressure altitude and duration. A frequent trap is applying the crew rule to passengers or vice versa. For unpressurised aircraft, supplemental oxygen is required for crew when cabin pressure altitude exceeds a specified level for a specified time, and for passengers at a higher threshold.
Fuel and performance
Fuel planning must include taxi, trip, contingency, alternate and final reserve. Questions often test whether a pilot may reduce final reserve - generally not in flight. Performance questions require the correct chart conditions: pressure altitude, temperature, wind, runway slope and surface.
Worked example
A flight is planned at night over water 30 minutes from shore. Required equipment includes night items plus flotation devices for all occupants. Rule of thumb: list the conditions first (day/night, VFR/IFR, over water, pressurised), then apply the equipment list for each condition.
MEL and defects
An aircraft may be dispatched with an inoperative item only if permitted by the minimum equipment list.