Minimum Equipment List Information

 

A Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is an FAA approved document that allows an aircraft owner/operator to fly with a certain item(s) inoperative. The Federal Aviation Administration produces a Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) for most aircraft to use. They provide the format that is acceptable to the administrator. You can download MMEL's here. Then tailor it to the equipment installed on your aircraft. Some of the format, numbering, and control pages are required to be included so minimizing changes will enhance final approval.

 

Template Information

Since the FAA provides the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL), for most experienced aircraft operators the most difficult task is working with the FAA's file type, which is ASCII. We highly suggest you purchase a completely reformatted template (BELOW), which is extremely user-friendly.

NOTE: Template does not include M and O procedures.

Deferral

The FAA grants deferral per the MEL only after maintenance personnel have determined that the aircraft is safe to be flown and that the specific conditions, limitations, and procedures for that item have been accomplished. The satisfactory accomplishment of all procedures is primarily the responsibility of the aircraft operator. This responsibility may be delegated to qualified persons when published in the operator’s manual or MEL.

Removal/Deactivation

Those who elect to operate without an MEL must remove (FAR § 91.213(d)(3)(i) or deactivate (FAR § 91.213 (d)(3)(ii)) and placard any inoperative item.

1. Removal of any item that affects an aircraft’s airworthiness requires following an approved procedure. A properly certificated maintenance person must record the removal in accordance with FAR § 43.9. A person authorized by FAR § 43.7 must make the appropriate adjustments to the aircraft’s weight and balance information and the equipment list, complete and submit FAA Form 337, and approve the aircraft for return to service.
2. The operator must evaluate any proposed deactivation to ensure there is no adverse effect that could render another system less than fully capable of its intended function.
   

   (a) A certificated pilot can accomplish deactivation involving routine pilot tasks, such as turning off a system. However, this deactivation must qualify under the definition of preventive maintenance in FAR Part 43, Subpart A.
   

   (b) If the deactivation does not qualify as preventive maintenance, a properly certificated maintenance person must perform the deactivation. This person must record the deactivation in accordance with FAR § 43.9.

3. Placarding can be as simple as writing the word inoperative on a piece of masking tape and attaching it to the inoperative equipment or to its cockpit control. Placarding is essential since it reminds the pilot that the equipment is inoperative. It also ensures that future flight crews and maintenance personnel are aware of the discrepancy.
   

For the do-it-yourself ers!

Summary:

1. Download the MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MMEL) file from the FAA for your aircraft.
2. Edit it to match the equipment installed in your aircraft.
3. Insert your N number and name on each page. Don't forget to add pages as necessary to the Table and Control Pages.
4. Complete the approval process with the FAA to use your MEL.

Using the above method will take about 15 hours if you have done this before. And expect 40+ hours if you have not. This process will also require a moderate level of knowledge and skill to operate your word processing program (the more the better).

Keep in touch with your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or your Principal Operations Inspector (POI) if you have questions. I will be glad to help in anyway I can just send me an email. If you would rather have ACCG do it email the aircraft make and model.

Flow chart for operating without an MEL
(From the Operations Inspectors Handbook, 8700.1)

Flow chart for operating with an MEL

ORDER YOUR MEL BY CLICKING THIS LINK AND SELECTING THE "ORDER A MEL" TAB

 

 

Minimum Equipment List Services

Once we have received your MEL order, ACCG will provide you with forms to gather your aircraft equipment information. Or sometimes our customers fax an equipment list. Then your aircraft equipment information is used to make a draft MEL from the MMEL. The final document is customized with your logo or other preferences, and then printed and sent to you for your review. If you need any changes you can call, email, or fax them to us. Whichever is easiest for you. After you approve the second draft ACCG will print, bind, and send you another copy for final review and FAA submission.

NOTE: In some cases (M) and (O) procedures will be required to be provided by the operator, depending on the aircraft and the procedure.

How to Order

1. Call, email, or send us a Customer Order Form and payment.
2. Provide the aircraft and registrant (or operator) information.
3. We can get started but we will need to get some Item Istalled information form you. That can by done by sending a equipment list; but we have other methods if you do not have one readily availalbe.

 

 

File Storage Information

• Want to store your Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or other manuals online for secure worldwide access?
• Need to convert your Minimum Equipment List (MEL) or other manuals into a secure read-only format for training and distribution?