📘14 CFR §91.213 - Inoperative Instruments and Equipment
“Can I fly with it broken?” — The flow every pilot must know
✏️ Plain-English Summary:
If something in your aircraft isn’t working, you need to determine if it’s required or optional before you can legally fly. §91.213 gives you a step-by-step flow to answer that question. Just saying “it’s not important” isn’t good enough — you have to walk through the logic.
✅ Step-by-Step Flow: “Can I fly with [X] inop?”
Let’s use autopilot as the example:
❌ It’s not working — can I still go fly?
🔎 STEP 1: Is it required by an Airworthiness Directive (AD)?
✅ If YES — ❌ You cannot fly until it’s fixed (ADs are mandatory)
✅ If NO — continue
📃 STEP 2: Is it required by the Type Certificate Data Sheet (TCDS)?
Some equipment is mandatory for that aircraft’s certification
✅ If YES — ❌ No go
✅ If NO — continue
📘 STEP 3: Is it required by §91.205 (A TOMATO FLAMES / FLAPS / GRABCARD)?
Check if the item is part of the required equipment list for the type of flight (VFR Day/Night or IFR)
✅ If YES — ❌ No go
✅ If NO — continue
📖 STEP 4: Is it required by the KOEL (Kind of Operations Equipment List) or an MEL?
KOEL = built into the POH/AFM for aircraft like the DA40
MEL = a specific, FAA-approved list (rare in training aircraft)
✅ If YES — ❌ No go
✅ If NO — now you can move forward
✅ If It’s NOT Required by Any of the Above…
You may operate the aircraft if all three of the following are done:
✅ The equipment is deactivated or removed
✅ It’s placarded "INOPERATIVE"
✅ The PIC determines it won’t affect safe operation
✅ If deactivation/removal requires maintenance, it must be logged properly
✈️ Scenario:
Your autopilot in the DA40-180 is inop.
You:
✅ Check the ADs – no AD requiring it ✔️
✅ Check the TCDS – not required ✔️
✅ Check §91.205 – autopilot not listed ✔️
✅ Check the KOEL – not required for VFR ✔️
✅ Placard it "INOPERATIVE"
✅ Ensure safe operation / deactivate equipment
✅ Log any maintenance, if required
🎉 You’re good to fly VFR without the autopilot.
🧠 Memory Trick:
“A.T. 91 K.M.P.L.” ADs → TCDS → 91.205 → KOEL/MEL → Placard → Log (if needed)
🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:
Make students run the flow verbally during preflight:
“It’s broken. Can I fly?” Then walk them through the logic — not their guess.
Use autopilot, heading indicator, PFD screen, landing light as examples.
Print this on a kneeboard card or checklist tab for reinforcement.
📚 References:
FAR: 14 CFR §91.213
AC 91-67: Minimum Equipment and Inoperative Equipment Policy
DA40/DA20 POH: Checklists & KOEL
CAPTn Stage 1 Guide: Inop equipment questions