Emergency Exit Lights

[yfly]

Here is the situation. Our Citation Excel has a problem burning the exterior emergency lights (the ones that illuminate the wing) out. So my manager tells us to only turn on the "Passenger Safety Lights" during the night. This switch illuminates all the Emer. Exit lights (inside and outside) as well as Seat Belt Sign. During the day he wants the switch placed in the Seat Belt position. This only illuminates the Seat Belt Signs-no Emer. Exit lighting. I say everything should be lit for every takeoff, landing and taxi in case of smoke or some other unforseen problem. Does anyone know of a requirement that would support my position. This airplane is operated under Part 91
Thanks

 

[501261]

91.503(b) states that you must have and use checklists. In the Excel putting the Passenger Advisory Lights to Pass Safety is on the Before Taxi Checklist. So in that sense you are right.

On the other hand your manager might a point, I’m pretty sure that the Emergency Lights are not MEL’ able and therefore having a burnt out light bulb will ground you. Something else to consider is that those lights are on an inertia switch and will come on anyway if you hit 5 G’s.

This seems like an awfully petty issue to be arguing about; personally I’d say “yes sir, I’ll do the lights exactly as you want them.” Then use them as you feel appropriate as PIC.

 

[yfly]

501261, you are right this is petty. However, the company I work for preaches safety, safety, safety in every everything from the office to the mill. And this light issue is just part of a larger problem with the manager ignoring parts of procedures, limitations, FAR's that he doesn't agree with. The other pilots have a tendency to blindly follow the manager unless I intervene with something in black and white showing him wrong.
Thanks to everyone who replied.

 

[Astra Guy]

I am no Excel guy but here is a novel idea...get the discrepancy fixed! That should hold true with every system on the airplane. Real world bandaids to inop systems never fix the underlying problems.

While some FARs may be somewhat open to interpretation they typically do follow an "if, then" mentality. It just takes more time to get to the bottom line. The bottom line is to operate under the FARs regardless of which part you fly under. The underwriters take a dim view of operating outside of the rules in the event there is an "event."

Good luck with your situation...sounds like a tough deal with a "know it all" type who doesn't!