How should an aircraft with inoperative instruments be handled before flight?

• A. Deactivate the instrument and continue if you believe it's safe.
• B. If permissible, placard the item inoperative, remove or deactivate it if required, and ensure compliance with 14 CFR 91.213 before flight.
• C. Fly to the nearest alternative airport without addressing.
• D. File a special flight plan with maintenance.

Answer: (B)

The situation centers on how FAA rules govern planes when an instrument isn’t working. If the airplane has a minimum equipment list (MEL) and the inoperative item is included there, you may operate under those approved limitations. If there is no MEL, you must deactivate or remove the instrument as required and place a clearly visible placard on it that it is inoperative, then ensure you comply with 14 CFR 91.213 before flight. This keeps the aircraft legally airworthy and avoids flying with essential equipment missing or misrepresented.

Reasons this approach is best: it uses the approved path for inoperative equipment and references the rule that governs what you can and cannot fly with, rather than guessing or assuming safety alone. The other options would either ignore the regulatory requirements, or introduce steps that aren’t part of standard inoperative-equipment handling (and could lead to unsafe or unlawful flight).