With so much nonessential equipment installed in today’s business jets, pilots might wonder if the rules regarding inoperative equipment apply to products that don’t contribute to the safety of flight. Obviously, it doesn’t make sense to cancel a flight because some noncritical cabin equipment doesn’t work (although some owners might insist on having recalcitrant entertainment devices repaired before takeoff), but FAA regulations don’t really distinguish between flight-necessary components and nonessential equipment. However, the agency provides a way to provide dispatch relief for what it calls nonessential equipment and furnishings (NEF).
The FAA issued a global change (GC-138) to December 2005 Policy Letter 116 that allows Part 91, 121 and 135 operators to revise minimum equipment lists using the relief contained in the policy letter. The letter explains that NEF are not already listed on MELs, do not affect safety of flight, are not required by certification or operational rules and have been installed during type certification or as part of a supplemental type certificate or engineering order. According to the letter, operators can also use the NEF process to defer repairs to “worn or soiled” cosmetic items.
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