The Minimum Equipment List
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- General mechanics tools
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- Managing your tool inventory. After your purchases, carefully managing your valuable tools inventory will bring peace of mind. ...
What is an aircraft equipment list?
An aircraft equipment list specifies all the necessary tools and equipment approved for use on a specific aircraft make and model. An aircraft equipment list is also a form of documentation commonly found on aircraft.
Do all aircraft have a Minimum Equipment List?
14 CFR Part 91.213 (d)(1) states that an aircraft does not require an approved Minimum Equipment List provided the aircraft is a non-turbine powered airplane for which a Master Minimum Equipment List has been developed.
Who is required to have a Minimum Equipment List?
Some operators of aircraft, based on the kind of operation or size and type of aircraft are required to have a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) in order to operate the aircraft with inoperative instruments or equipment. However, operators of the following types of aircraft may operate under part 91 without an MEL.
Where is the aircraft Minimum Equipment List?
You will mostly find MELs in aircraft operating under Part 121, 125 and 135. The military also uses MELs. This is not to say Part 91 operators won't have MELs, it is just a little more unusual.
What is an aviation STC?
A supplemental type certificate ( STC ) is a type certificate ( TC ) issued when an applicant has received FAA approval to modify an aeronautical product from its original design.
What is the difference between master Minimum Equipment List and Minimum Equipment List?
Their difference is that the MEL is formulated for a particular operator and a certain aircraft or a few aircraft, whereas the MMEL is formulated for all aircrafts of this type. The MEL of the operator shall be based on the MMEL of a specific aircraft type and model approved by the authorities.
What is the minimum required equipment for VFR day flight?
For VFR flight during the day, the following in- struments and equipment are required: (1) Airspeed indicator. (2) Altimeter. (3) Magnetic direction indicator.
What is kind of equipment list?
As the name implies, the Kinds of Operations Equipment List (KOEL) is a list of equipment installed in an aircraft that specifies for which kinds of operations a specific piece of equipment is required. The KOEL is used as part of the process of determining if an aircraft with inoperative equipment is airworthy.
What is the difference between Mel and CDL?
While the MEL describes the limitations of aircraft operation in case of a system being inoperative/having malfunctioned (e.g. transponder failure), the CDL deals with situations where external parts of an aircraft are missing/fallen off (e.g. fairings, aerodynamic seals or panels).
What's the difference between Mel and MMEL?
MEL Explained An MEL must also be approved by the aviation authority, but unlike an MMEL, which is designed to cover an entire aircraft series/models' potential configurations, spanning years or even decades, an MEL can be fully customized to remove non-applicable items as well as add procedures.
Is a Mel required?
Even if your aircraft is not required to have an MEL by the preceding paragraph, the inoperative instrument or item of equipment must not be required by certification, operational, or airworthiness regulations or by the manufacturer's approved aircraft flight manual or pilot's operating handbook.
Are flaps required equipment?
Flaps are not required for any normal procedure, and published takeoff and landing distances are available for no-flap operations. The flaps are not included in the aircraft's Kinds of Operation Equipment List, but the flap position indicator is. Flaps aren't mentioned in the aircraft's equipment list.
Who determines if a flight can depart safely?
The aircraft commander is the only person authorized to determine that the flight can depart safely with inoperative equipment. The commander, in his/her judgement, may require equipment over and above that listed in the MEL if they believe such equipment is required for flight safety. The MEL can be employed provided an acceptable level ...
What is MEL in aviation?
The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) The Minimum Equipment List (“MEL”) is a reference list of aircraft systems that, even with those systems not functioning correctly, the aircraft can be operated safely and would legally be allowed to dispatch.
Can an aircraft carry a defect?
However if this is not possible, and if flight safety would not be impacted, an aircraft may be allowed to “carry” (operate with) a defect for a limited amount of time.
Can an aircraft fly without all its components working correctly?
It may come as a surprise for non-pilots to be told that an aircraft may fly without all of its components working correctly, but modern aircraft have a lot of built in redundancy in systems. If a system is defective prior to pushback from the gate the MEL would be referenced to see if the aircraft can be legally, and safely, dispatched. ...
Does MEL always consider ramifications of two separate inoperative systems?
Lastly, the MEL does not always consider the ramifications of two separate inoperative systems – this is a responsibility of the pilot and good judgement. Repairs should be carried out at the earliest opportunity but must be completed within the time period defined in the Minimum Equipment List, or MEL.
What Is an Equipment List?
An equipment list is a list of items that must be operational for a particular flight. For example, the landing lights in the Cessna 172 do not have to be operational for flights during the day but must be operational for flights at night. The equipment lists are used to determine if an aircraft can legally perform a particular flight.
The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL)
The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) is the least restrictive equipment list and is established by the aircraft manufacturer.
Can an MMEL Be Used as a MEL?
An MMEL can be used as a MEL, but the MMEL must be approved by the operator’s National Aviation Authority. In the case where an operator uses an aircraft’s MMEL as a MEL, the MMEL is referred to as a MEL. In other words, an operator will never refer to their MEL and an MMEL.
What If Multiple Items Are Broken?
Some items in the MEL may only be unserviceable if other items are operational. This will be indicated in the MEL.
When Is a MEL required?
Part 135 and 121 operators are all required to have an approved MEL. Part 91 is a little more nuanced, however.
Conclusion
The Minimum Equipment List is a critical part of the aviation safety process. While the MEL’s application to Part 91 is somewhat confusing, its implementation is crucial to ensuring the safety of every flight.
What is a minimum equipment list (MEL)?
Every aircraft contains an operations manual. Inside that operations manual is a minimum equipment list (MEL). Essentially, the MEL is a checklist of equipment installed on the aircraft that must be working at the time of the flight–and the procedures that allow an aircraft to fly with equipment that’s not working under specific conditions.
What policies do private jet charter brokers like Stratos have around MEL-deferred items?
Stratos is obsessed with safety, so part of our internal procedure is to tell clients about any known MEL deferrals. We want to make sure our clients are always as educated as possible about their flights, and our goal is to maximize their margin of safety.
So What Is An Mel?
So, How Do You Use An Mel?
- If something is broken in your aircraft, and it has an MEL, it is the FIRST thing you should pull out. You should also get a mechanic on the phone. Look at the MEL and when you find the broken part move over to the right an read the remarks section. The remarks section will have either an (M) or (O) next to the part. Do what it says and you are on your way! Most of the time maintenance pers…
Can’T Find Something in The Mel?
- You’re out of luck. The MEL will never contain “instruments and equipment that are either specifically or otherwise required by the airworthiness requirements under which the aircraft is type certificated and which are essential for safe operations under all operating conditions.” In other words, if it isn’t in the MEL (like landing gear) it’s too important. You can’t fly without it. Go …
What Is The Minimum Equipment List (Mel)?
- A minimum equipment list (MEL) is a list which provides for the operation of aircraft, subject to specified conditions, with particular equipment inoperative (which is) prepared by an operatorin conformity with, or more restrictive than, the MMEL established for the aircraft type. The master minimum equipment list (MMEL) is a list established for a...
When Does The Mel Apply?
How Airline Pilots Use The Minimum Equipment List?
Mel Operational and Maintenance Procedures
Rectification Interval Category
- The MEL applies prior to dispatch – once the aircraft has been dispatched (“moved under its own power for the purpose of take off”) the MEL no longer applies and the crew should reference the relevant part of the QRH (Quick Reference Handbook) or FCOM (Flight Crew Operating Manual). Although the Minimum Equipment List no longer applies, reference should be made to it to aid i…
Using The Mel – An Example
- As stated above the Minimum Equipment List provides for the safe and legal dispatch of aircraft with certain systems inoperative. However, the following points must be considered: 1. The aircraft commander is the only person authorized to determine that the flight can depart safely with inoperative equipment. The commander, in his/her judgement, may require equipment over …
What Is The Configuration Deviation List (CDL)?
- Every effort must be made to rectify defects prior to departure. However if this is not possible, and if flight safety would not be impacted, an aircraft may be allowed to “carry” (operate with) a defect for a limited amount of time. If there is an INOP system it will be recorded in the aircraft Tech Log along with the relevant MEL reference. The MEL will list the relevant INOPsystem, any operation…
What Is An Equipment List?
- The MEL entry will provide a “Rectification Interval Category” which will show the time limit within which a defect must be rectified. 1. A – Specified: The MEL will specify the time limit in terms of days, flights (“cycles”) or flight hours. 2. B – 3 Days. 3. C – 10 Days. 4. D – 120 Days. A defect carried on the aircraft is referred to as a “deferred defect”. Usually the longer the allowed rectific…
The Master Minimum Equipment List
- As an example, lets refer to the Boeing 777 MMEL (FAA B777 MMEL). You arrive on the aircraft and check the tech log to find the following maintenance entry: “Engine #1 IDG U/S. Nil spares available. Deferred IAW with MEL 24-11-01.” Briefly this says that engine number 1’s IDG (Integrated Driven Generator-the electrical supply from the left engine) is U/S (unserviceable). Th…
The Minimum Equipment List
- The CDL (Configuration Deviation List) is similar to the MEL but refers to components of the aircraft that may be missing but still allow legal dispatch. For example, if on the walk around of you Airbus A330 you notice a missing static discharger from the right wingtip, can you depart? A static discharger (also called a “static wick”), which are installed on aircraft wings, rudders, stabi…
Can An Mmel Be Used as A Mel?
- An equipment list is a list of items that must be operational for a particular flight. For example, the landing lights in the Cessna 172 do not have to be operational for flights during the day but must be operational for flights at night. The equipment lists are used to determine if an aircraft can legally perform a particular flight. The maintenance of an inoperative piece of equipment can oft…
What If Multiple Items Are Broken?
- The Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) is the least restrictive equipment list and is established by the aircraft manufacturer. The MMEL is developed with input from engineers and data gathered from flight tests. The goal of the MMEL is to establish which items are critical and which may be inoperative under certain circumstances. The MMEL takes ...
When Is A Mel Required?
- The Minimum Equipment List is a more restrictive version of the MMEL. The MEL takes into account the operator’s (e.g., airline’s) operational criteria and must be approved by the operator’s National Aviation Authority (NAA). For example, in the case of Delta Air Lines, this is also the FAA. The MEL will further restrict the operator concerning certain operational aspects. For example, i…
Conclusion
- An MMEL can be used as a MEL, but the MMEL must be approved by the operator’s National Aviation Authority. In the case where an operator uses an aircraft’s MMEL as a MEL, the MMEL is referred to as a MEL. In other words, an operator will never refer to their MEL and an MMEL.