One Can Only Have So Much Patience

...before going absolutely postal. More maintenance problems cancelled yet another check ride opportunity.

Last Friday, I took the plane up for a final flight before Saturday's check ride. During the flight, we noticed that the standby vacuum instruments were acting unusual. The suction gauge was reading correctly, but the DG was rotating like the second hand on a clock, the attitude indicator and the VSI were also performing erratically. CRAP.

91.213 - which basically states that no person may take off in an aircraft with inoperable instruments unless: blah blah blah (short for all the exceptions)

When we landed, we discussed the situation with the chief pilot. We reviewed 91.213 and determined that it was too gray to make a decision. There were arguments for and against. The head of maintenance isn't an avionics A&P. All avionics work is sent to another facility at a nearby airport. Therefore, he couldn't disable and placard them INOP. Also, since the flight would include instrument work we didn't want to go by 91.205 (required equipment). Lastly, they do not have a MEL.

My decision was to consult the DPE. The chief called him and the DPE called the check ride. I'm glad he made the decision. I'm also glad we noticed the instruments before the flight ended. The problem didn't present during the Instrument Cockpit Check. It would have been a bad start to a commercial check-ride to tangle with 91.213.

Actually it ended up being a good thing that the check ride was cancelled. We had ferocious winds Saturday with gusts to 30+ knots. Not good check ride weather anyway. That doesn't excuse the sorry state of the Seneca.

As of today, the problem is solved. I don't know if they found the problem and fixed it or had the gauges properly placarded "INOP". Here's to hoping it limps through long enough for another check ride date.

Speaking of going Postal, here's a hilarious commercial for Nicoderm.