A300
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 130; Flight Crew Total 16000; Flight Crew Type 2000
Distraction; Human-Machine Interface; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Company Policy; Procedure
Upon arrival at the aircraft found the Mode Control Panel (MCP) backlighting inoperative. Review of the logbook showed that it had been previously deferred and recently cleared. Contacted Maintenance and the item was again deferred. While sitting on the ramp; I discussed with the First Officer and he agreed that it seemed that we would not have too much difficulty setting the items (airspeed; altitude; heading and vertical speed) contained on the panel. However; we later found this not to be the case. Without the lights from the ramp it was impossible to see the controls without the use of a flashlight or turning on the overhead reading light. We ultimately found the best way was to turn the on the overhead reading light and use a checklist to redirect the light to the MCP. Operation of the MCP became a 2 person operation with one person operating the light while the other selected the required mode. I found the workload far higher than I expected. Fortunately this was a clear night with no weather to deal with. Having never had this type of deferral previously I was not expecting the amount of difficulty we had with routine operations; especially during departure and arrival. I feel that had any type of aircraft malfunction or emergency occurred this deferral would have significantly impacted the safety of the flight and introduces undue risk. I feel that any smoke (even a minimal amount) in the cockpit would have made it impossible to see the items contained on the panel. I feel at best this deferral is very difficult to operate under and could easily become a safety of flight issue. I recommend that Mel 33-12-XX-X-X with regards to deferral of the A300 Mode Control Panel (MCP) backlighting be reviewed and restricted to 'Day Operations Only'.
A-300 Captain experienced a failure of the MCP backlighting and recommended that the MEL be modified to allow for day-time flight only when this malfunction is deferred.