Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
A Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a list developed for larger aircraft that outlines equipment that can be inoperative for various types of flight, including Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and icing conditions. This list is based on the master minimum equipment list (MMEL), which is developed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and must be approved by the FAA for use. The MEL is specific to an individual aircraft make and model.
The MEL provides guidance for pilots and maintenance personnel on which systems and equipment are essential for safe flight operations, and which ones can be temporarily inoperative without compromising safety. It aims to minimize the impact of equipment failures on flight operations, and enables an operator to continue flight operations with limited equipment until the necessary repairs can be made.
To obtain an MEL, an Airworthiness Certificate holder must apply to an FAA Flight Standards District Office for approval. The MEL specifies the equipment that can be inoperative, the time period during which the equipment can be inoperative, and any additional procedures or limitations that must be followed to ensure safe flight operations.
Overall, the MEL is an important tool for ensuring that aircraft are able to operate safely and efficiently, even in the event of equipment failures or malfunctions. Its use is mandatory for larger aircraft, and it is an essential component of aviation safety management.
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