Citation Excel (C560XL)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Company Policy; MEL; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
During pre-flight the PIC noted a patch on RH tail De-ice Boot System had started to delaminate.  After getting a ladder; and closer inspection; three boot patches were delaminating.  Called company maintenance and was told there is a new Non-Essential Function (NEF) deferral procedure allowing flight for 10 more days after verifying a boot operation check that was not yet available to the line pilots.  Called the Assistant Chief Pilot (ACP) and was told to write it up as AOG and maintenance would change it to the new NEF.  Conducted the procedure single pilot (PIC fatigued) as instructed by the ACP and confirmed de-ice lights illuminated in cockpit with APU bleed air system.  Aircraft was returned to service with no limitations other than a 10 day limit for operations. Having a de-ice boot system that has been repaired three times and the repair patches were failing; I believe the NEF protocol should be reviewed for stricter operating limitations.  Our planned flight was in high mountain terrain; 1 mile visibility and snow conditions.  As a flight crew we believed this problem to be a safety of flight issue with the current flight conditions.  Apparently; the company with assistance from the FAA disagreed and further flight with a questionable de-ice system into known icing is considered airworthy.
Reporter stated their company and FAA had come to an agreement allowing deferral of damaged pneumatic de-ice boots under the Non-Essential Functions (NEF) deferral criteria. He and other pilots believe that flying into icing conditions with de-ice boot repair patches delaminating; is a safety of flight issue that should not be deferred under NEF procedures. No one can explain why the FAA would agree to that type of deferral without stricter operating limitations.
A First Officer reports finding several repair patches delaminating on the Right-Hand (R/H) Horizontal Leading Edge Pneumatic De-Ice Boot on a Cessna CE-560XLS aircraft. Airworthiness and safety concerns are also raised about the failing de-ice boot repairs being deferred under a Non-Essential Function (NEF) procedure; and the aircraft being released for operations into known icing conditions.