CC6153

The MEL is created and approved by the UK CAA to comply with all required regulations. As such, when the FAP is inoperative, it is permissible by the regulator not to dim the lights for take-off and landing if an AAP is not fitted, or inoperative.

With regard to the EMER EVAC from the cabin this would only ever be used in line with our procedures:

“The only occasion when the cabin crew will initiate an evacuation is when the situation is clearly catastrophic. In a clearly catastrophic situation the evacuation of passengers must be initiated without delay immediately the aircraft has finally come to rest.”

In such circumstances the evaluation would normally be initiated by the Flight Crew or by any other means e.g. loud hailer, as it is clearly a requirement to leave the aircraft.

There is no mandatory requirement for aircraft to have an evacuation alarm installed and the rectification interval for an unserviceable system will be determined by the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for the aircraft in question. UK operators tend not to rely on an evacuation alarm as the only indication of evacuation, but also use evacuation commands, which may also be used in the event of system unserviceability.

Cabin lighting, such as passenger reading lights, are not mandatory airworthiness items and will therefore have a longer rectification interval.

The Operator creates the MEL based on, and no less restrictive than, the master minimum equipment list (MMEL).  This MEL is then internally reviewed and approved before submission to the CAA for final approval.