Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

A Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a document, specific to an aircraft type and operator, that outlines which equipment can be inoperative while still allowing safe flight operations, based on a Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) provided by the aircraft manufacturer.

Purpose

The MEL allows operators to fly with certain inoperative equipment, provided the conditions outlined in the MEL are met, preventing unnecessary grounding of aircraft due to minor issues.

Basis

The MEL is developed by the operator based on the MMEL, which is a comprehensive list prepared by the aircraft manufacturer and approved by the relevant aviation authority.

Contents

The MEL includes:

• A list of equipment that can be inoperative.
• Conditions under which the aircraft can operate with that equipment inoperative (e.g., time limits, flight conditions).
• Procedures for managing inoperative equipment.
• Maintenance and operational actions required for the inoperative equipment.

Approval

The MEL must be approved by the operator's national airworthiness authority.

Relationship to MMEL

The MEL is a more specific version of the MMEL, tailored to the operator's aircraft and operations.

Example

An MEL might allow an aircraft to fly with a non-functional navigation light during daylight hours, provided the conditions are met, such as no night operations and no instrument flight rules (IFR) flight.