Turn Coordinator Inop
 

I know inorder to go IFR one of the required instruments is a turn coordinator. For what ever reason, the place where I rent from the rate of turn indicator does not work. It doesnt red flag but you throw on the master and there is no gyro spin up. Obviously the ball still works.
Is there any way around this to go IFR? Like with just a stop watch and the DG?The airport I rent from hasnt fixed it in over three months and I have a feeling they will not be doing so in the near future.
Just a random thought. Chances are if I need to go IFR I will just choose a different airplane but I prefer that one.

NO

You need a rate of turn indicator operational, AKA a turn and slip or turn coordinator.

SnipperCR-

A turn coordinator is one of the cheapest and easiest cockpit instruments to replace. I wouldn't want to be without one. It is reliable, cannot tumble, and being electric it is immune to vacuum failures. It is also the best way to know the direction you are rotating if you get into a spin inside a cloud. You can use them as temporary substitutes for a DG by timing standard rate turns with a stopwatch. It is also required equipment for filing ifr. GRAB CARDs is the nemonic I use for that where the turn coordinator is "R" (rate of turn).

Thats what i thought. Its one of the most important instruments when doing partial panel. My instrument instructor made me do timed turns (with turn coordinator inop) for practicing holding patterns. I had to calculate rate of turn for an airspeed/angel of bank. Therefore I wasnt sure if there was an acceptable "substitute."

It is quite annoying they are not getting it fixed...

Just curious, is it deactivated, placarded and entered into the Mx logs? If not you are in violation of FAR 91 in regards to inoperative equipment, unless this aircraft has an MEL and it is properly deferred. If one of these have not ocurred, than any flight....VFR or IFR is illegal.

Vacuum pumps fail OFTEN, and AI's are not the epitome of reliability either...I have used the TC in clouds twice.

I would not launch without it unless it's VMC and VFR.

Yeah, no way around that one. Might not be a bad idea to ask when they plan on fixing it.

i wouldnt even rent from a place like that, if they take that long to fix something simple and cheap like that then what else important might they be overlooking?

take a look at 91.213... might help with the decision making.

Squawk it as failed, they can't fly 91 training with an open squawk. If not, simply leave the number of your local FSDO on their desk and say that's your next step. You're paying for a functioning and legal aircraft!!!