Originally Posted By: Eric
The lavatory is not a required item for dispatch on most airplanes.

Here are the MMEL remarks for the 737 series airplanes.

Associated lavatory system(s) may be inoperative provided:
a) Associated components are deactivated or isolated to prevent leaks,
b) Pilot-in-Command will determine if flight duration is acceptable with a forward lavatory unusable, and
c) Associated lavatory door(s) is secured closed and placarded “INOPERATIVE – DO NOT ENTER”.

Assuming most airplanes would have similar remarks, I'd guess it is pretty much up to pilot discretion, so you should hope that your flight crew likes to drink a lot of coffee!!! smile

- Eric


That's what I thought. The MEL is for safe operation of the aircraft and passenger safety, not passenger comfort. The Operations Manual would probably cover that. I never had to deal with this specific issue, though. The only lavatory issue I ever had to deal with was "if the lavatory blue water vent is leaking and the hydrolic tail bumper is inop extended, add 10% to fuel burn". smile (MELs [Minimum Equipment List] are not written like I wrote it. It's an "IF" + "AND" = "THEN" balance sheet format.)


Edited by PSM (11/05/11 08:34 PM)
Edit Reason: left out a step