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Master Minimum Equipment List: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
Master Minimum Equipment List: U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration
Department of Transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, D.C.
Revision: 12
Date: 04/13/2012
All pertinent FAA Policy Letters and Global Changes have been
incorporated. For a complete listing of FAA Policy Letters and Global
Changes visit Flight Standards Information System (FSIMS)
[http://fsims.faa.gov/].
1. System Definitions.
System numbers are based on the Air Transport Association (ATA) Specification and items
are numbered sequentially.
a. "Item" (Column 1) means the equipment, system, component, or function listed in the
"Item" column. Repair interval categories (A, B, C, and D) are listed on right side of
column 1. Repair intervals are described in definition 22.
c. "Number Required for Dispatch" (Column 3) is the minimum number (quantity) of items
required for operation provided the conditions specified in Column 4 are met.
NOTE: Where the MMEL shows a variable number required for dispatch, the MEL must
reflect the actual number required for dispatch or an alternate means of configuration
control approved by the Administrator.
e. A vertical bar (change bar) in the margin indicates a change, addition or deletion in
the adjacent text for the current revision of that page only. The change bar is dropped at
the next MMEL revision.
3. "As required by FAR" means that the listed item is subject to certain provisions (restrictive
or permissive) expressed in the Federal Aviation Regulations operating rules. The number of
items required by the FAR must be operative. When the listed item is not required by FAR it
may be inoperative for time specified by repair category. The term “14 CFR” may be
substituted for “FAR” in MMELs or operator MELs.
NOTE: For MEL development, Appendix A may be used to identify the applicable CFRs for
MMEL items that use terms such as “As required by FAR or “Any in excess of those required
by FAR may be inoperative”. Appendix A is a non-inclusive list of CFRs.
4. “Placarding” Each inoperative item must be placarded to inform and remind the
crewmembers and maintenance personnel of the equipment condition.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION: 17 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 01/20/2011 VII
DEFINITIONS
NOTE: To the extent practical, placards should be located adjacent to the control or
indicator for the item affected; however, unless otherwise specified, placard wording and
location will be determined by the operator.
5. "-" symbol in Column 2 and/or Column 3 indicates a variable number (quantity) of the
item installed.
6. "Deleted" in the remarks column after a sequence item indicates that the item was
previously listed but is now required to be operative if installed in the aircraft.
8. "Federal Aviation Regulations" (FAR) means the applicable portions of the Federal
Aviation Act and Federal Aviation Regulations.
9. "Flight Day" means a 24 hour period (from midnight to midnight) either Universal
Coordinated Time (UCT) or local time, as established by the operator, during which at
least one flight is initiated for the affected aircraft.
10. "Icing Conditions" means an atmospheric environment that may cause ice to form
on the aircraft (structural) or in the engine(s) (induction).
12. "Inoperative" means a system and/or component malfunction to the extent that it
does not accomplish its intended purpose and/or is not consistently functioning normally
within its approved operating limit(s) or tolerance(s).
16. "(O)" symbol indicates a requirement for a specific operations procedure which must
be accomplished in planning for and/or operating with the listed item inoperative.
Normally these procedures are accomplished by the flight crew; however, other
personnel may be qualified and authorized to perform certain functions. The satisfactory
accomplishment of all procedures, regardless of who performs them, is the responsibility
of the operator. Appropriate procedures are required to be published as a part of the
operator's manual or MEL.
NOTE: The (M) and (O) symbols are required in the operator's MEL unless otherwise
authorized by the Administrator.
17. "Deactivated" and "Secured" means that the specified component must be put into
an acceptable condition for safe flight. An acceptable method of securing or deactivating
will be established by the operator.
18. "Visual Flight Rules" (VFR) is as defined in FAR Part 91. This precludes a pilot from
filing an Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) flight plan.
20. "Visible Moisture" means an atmospheric environment containing water in any form
that can be seen in natural or artificial light; for example, clouds, fog, rain, sleet, hail, or
snow.
22. Repair Intervals: All users of an MEL approved under 14 CFR 121, 125, 129 and
135 must effect repairs of inoperative systems or components, deferred in accordance
with the MEL, at or prior to the repair times established by the following letter
designators. 14 CFR 91 MEL users do not need to comply with the repair categories,
but shall comply with any provisos defining a repair interval (flights, flight legs, cycles,
hours, etc). The letter designators are inserted adjacent to Column 2.
Category A. Items in this category shall be repaired within the time interval
specified in the remarks column of the operator's approved MEL. For time
intervals specified in “calendar days” or "flight days," the day the malfunction was
recorded in the aircraft maintenance record/logbook is excluded. For all other
time intervals (flights, flight legs, cycles, hours, etc), repair tracking begins at the
point when the malfunction is deferred in accordance with the operator's
approved MEL.
Category B. Items in this category shall be repaired within three (3) consecutive
calendar days (72 hours), excluding the day the malfunction was recorded in the
aircraft maintenance record/logbook. For example, if it were recorded at 10 a.m.
on January 26th, the three day interval would begin at midnight the 26th and end
at midnight the 29th.
Category C. Items in this category shall be repaired within ten (10) consecutive
calendar days (240 hours), excluding the day the malfunction was recorded in
the aircraft maintenance record/logbook. For example, if it were recorded at 10
a.m. on January 26th, the 10 day interval would begin at midnight the 26th and
end at midnight February 5th.
Category D. Items in this category shall be repaired within one hundred and
twenty (120) consecutive calendar days (2880 hours), excluding the day the
malfunction was recorded in the aircraft maintenance log and/or record.
An operator who has the authorization to use an MEL also has the authority to approve
extensions to the maximum repair interval for category B and C items provided the
responsible Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) is notified within 24 hours of the MEL
extension. The operator is not authorized to extend A and D items in the MEL. Misuse
of the MEL extension authority may result in the operators OpSpecs/Mspecs being
amended by removing the authority for the operator to use the MEL extension authority
and/or use an MEL.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION: 17 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 01/20/2011 X
DEFINITIONS
23. EICAS - Electronic fault alerting system – General New generation aircraft display
system fault indications to the flight crew by use of computerized display systems. Each
aircraft manufacturer has incorporated individual design philosophies in determining the
data that would be represented.
A MAINTENANCE alert on the EIS indicates the presence of a system fault which can
be identified by the Central Fault Display System (CFDS) interrogation. The systems
are designed to be fault tolerant, however, for any MAINTENANCE alert, the MEL must
be verified for dispatch purposes.
d. FOKKER (FK-100)
Fokker aircraft are equipped with Multi Function Display System (MFDS) which provides
electronic message referring to the different priority levels of system information
(WARNING (red), CAUTION (amber), AWARENESS (cyan) AND STATUS (white). Any
messages that affects aircraft dispatch will be at the WARNING, CAUTION or
AWARENESS level. In these cases the MEL must be verified for dispatch capability and
maintenance may be required. System conditions that only require maintenance are not
presented on the flight deck. These maintenance indications/messages may be
presented on the Maintenance & Test Panel (MAP) or the Centralized Fault Display Unit
(CFDU) and by dedicated Built In Test Evaluation (BITE) of systems.
Gulfstream mid-cabin airplanes (G-150, G-200) equipped with EICAS provide different
priority levels of system messages: WARNING (red), CAUTION (amber), ADVISORY
(green), and STATUS (white). The Airplane Flight Manual prohibits take off with any
WARNING message displayed. CAUTION, ADVISORY and STATUS messages may
affect airplane dispatch status and requires the Airplane Flight Manual or the MEL be
used to determine dispatch capability. The airplane may dispatch with CAUTION,
ADVISORY and STATUS messages that indicate proper system operation and are not
illuminated due to a system failure (i.e. FUEL STBY PUMP ON when the pump is
selected ON, GND A/B OUT with LAND selected on the ground, or APU GEN OFF with
the switch OFF). MAINTENANCE and MAINTENANCE DATA STATUS messages do
not affect airplane dispatch status. They indicate the presence of a system fault which
can be retrieved from the Maintenance Diagnostics Computer. In all cases, the Airplane
Flight Manual must be referenced and procedures compiled with for the displayed
message prior to applying MEL dispatch relief.
indicates that the system/component is operating within its approved operating limits or
tolerances. Such faults would be evident during maintenance interrogation performed
during maintenance activities. Class 2 faults do not affect dispatch and will be listed in
the Fault
Isolation Manual (FIM). Class 2 faults will be left to the discretion of the operators when
these faults are to be rectified.
24. "Administrative control item" (ACI) means an item listed by the operator in the MEL
for tracking and informational purposes. As an example, ACI may be used to track
ETOPS accomplishment of required APU cold-soak, or in-flight verification starts. It may
be added to an operator's MEL by approval of the Principal Operations Inspector
provided no relief is granted, or provided conditions and limitations are contained in an
approved document (i.e. Structural Repair Manual, airworthiness directive, etc.). If relief
other than that granted by an approved document is sought for an administrative control
item, a request must be submitted to the Administrator. If the request results in review
and approval by the FOEB, the item becomes an MMEL item rather than an
administrative control item.
25. "***" symbol in Column 1 indicates an item which is not required by regulation but
which may have been installed on some models of aircraft covered by this MMEL. This
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION: 17 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 01/20/2011 XIII
DEFINITIONS
item may be included on the operator's MEL after the approving office has determined
that the item has been installed on one or more of the operator's aircraft. The symbol,
however, shall not be carried forward into the operator's MEL. It should be noted that
neither this policy nor the use of this symbol provides authority to install or remove an
item from an aircraft.
26. "Excess Items" means those items that have been installed that are redundant to
the requirements of the FARs.
28. “Considered Inoperative”, as used in the provisos means that item must be treated
for dispatch, taxi and flight purposes as though it were inoperative. The item shall not be
used or operated until the original deferred item is repaired. Additional actions include:
documenting the item on the dispatch release (if applicable), placarding, and complying
with all remarks, exceptions, and related MMEL provisions, including any (M) and (O)
procedures and observing the repair category.
29. “ Is not used” in the provisos, remarks or exceptions for an MMEL item may specify
that another item relieved in the MMEL “is not used.” In such cases, crewmembers
should not activate, actuate, or otherwise utilize that component or system under normal
operations. It is not necessary for the operators to accomplish the (M) procedures
associated with the item. However, operational requirements must be complied with,
and an additional placard must be affixed, to the extent practical, adjacent to the control
or indicator for the item that is not used to inform crewmembers that a component or
system is not to be used under normal operations.
30. Nonessential equipment and furnishings (NEF) are those items installed on the
aircraft as part of the original type certification, supplemental type certificate, or other
form of alteration that have no effect on the safe operation of flight and would not be
required by the applicable certification rules or operational rules. They are those items
that if inoperative, damaged or missing have no effect on the aircraft’s ability to be
operated safely under all operational conditions. These nonessential items may be
installed in areas including, but not limited to, the passenger compartment, flight deck
area, service areas, cargo areas, crew rest areas, lavatories, and galley areas. NEF
items are not items already identified in the MEL or CDL of the applicable aircraft.
They do not include items that are functionally required to meet the certification rule or
for compliance with any operational rule. Operator’s NEF process shall not provide for
deferral of items within serviceable limits identified in the manufacturer’s maintenance
manual or operator’s approved maintenance program such as wear limits,
fuel/hydraulic leak rates, oil consumption, etc. Cosmetic items that are fully
serviceable but worn or soiled may be deferred under an operator’s NEF process.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION: 17 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 01/20/2011 XIV
DEFINITIONS
31. As used in MMELs, Heavy Maintenance Visit (HMV) is a scheduled C-check/D-
check or airworthiness maintenance program inspection where the aircraft is
scheduled to be out of service for 4 or more days.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 2 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 06/14/1989 XV
PREAMBLE
(Effective 06/14/1989)
The following is applicable for authorized certificate holders operating under title 14 Code of
Federal regulations (14 CFR) Parts 121, 125, 129, 135: 14 CFR require that all equipment
installed on an aircraft in compliance with the Airworthiness Standards and the Operating
Rules must be operative. However, the Rules also permit the publication of a Minimum
Equipment List (MEL) where compliance with certain equipment requirements is not
necessary in the interests of safety under all operating conditions. Experience has shown that
with the various levels of redundancy designed into aircraft, operation of every system or
installed component may not be necessary when the remaining operative equipment can
provide an acceptable level of safety.
A Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) is developed by the FAA, with participation by the
aviation industry, to improve aircraft utilization and thereby provide more convenient and
economic air transportation for the public. The FAA approved MMEL includes those items of
equipment which the Administrator finds may be inoperative and yet maintain an acceptable
level of safety by appropriate conditions and limitations; it does not contain obviously required
items such as wings, flaps, and rudders. The MMEL is the basis for development of individual
operator MELs which take into consideration the operator’s particular aircraft equipment
configuration and operational considerations. Operators MELs, for administrative control, may
include items not contained in the MMEL; however, relief for administrative control items must
be approved by the Administrator. An operator’s MEL may differ in format from the MMEL, but
cannot be less restrictive than the MMEL. The individual operator’s MEL, when approved and
authorized, permits operation of the aircraft with inoperative equipment. Equipment not
required by the operation being conducted and equipment in excess of 14 CFR requirements
are included in the MEL with appropriate conditions and limitations. The MEL must not deviate
from the Aircraft Flight Manual Limitations, Emergency Procedures or with Airworthiness
Directives. It is important to remember that all equipment related to the airworthiness and the
operating regulations of the aircraft not listed on the MMEL must be operative.
Suitable conditions and limitations in the form of placards, maintenance procedures, crew
operating procedures and other restrictions as necessary are specified in the MEL to ensure
that an acceptable level of safety is maintained.
The MEL is intended to permit operation with inoperative items of equipment for a period of
time until repairs can be accomplished. It is important that repairs be accomplished at the
earliest opportunity. In order to maintain an acceptable level of safety and reliability the MMEL
establishes limitations on the duration of and conditions for operation with inoperative
equipment.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 2 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 06/14/1989 XVI
PREAMBLE
(Effective 06/14/1989)
The MEL provides for release of the aircraft for flight with inoperative equipment. When an
item of equipment is discovered to be inoperative, it is reported by making an entry in the
Aircraft Maintenance Record/Logbook as prescribed by 14 CFR. The item is then either
repaired or may be deferred per the MEL or other approved means acceptable to the
Administrator prior to further operation. MEL conditions and limitations do not relieve the
operator from determining that the aircraft is in condition for safe operation with items of
equipment inoperative. When these requirements are met, an Airworthiness Release, Aircraft
Maintenance Record/Logbook entry, or other approved documentation is issued as prescribed
by 14 CFR. Such documentation is required prior to operation with any item of equipment
inoperative.
Operators are responsible for exercising the necessary operational control to ensure that an
acceptable level of safety is maintained. When operating with multiple inoperative items, the
interrelationships between those items and the effect on aircraft operation and crew workload
will be considered. Operators are to establish a controlled and sound repair program including
the parts, personnel, facilities, procedures, and schedules to ensure timely repair.
WHEN USING THE MEL, COMPLIANCE WITH THE STATED INTENT OF THE PREAMBLE,
DEFINITIONS, AND THE CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN THE MEL IS
REQUIRED
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 12 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 04/13/2012 21-1
1. SYSTEM, REPAIR CATEGORY
SEQUENCE NUMBERS & 2. NUMBER INSTALLED
ITEM 3. NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
4. REMARKS AND EXCEPTIONS
21 AIR CONDITIONING
7. Cabin Temperature C 1 0
Indicating System
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 12 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 04/13/2012 21-2
1. SYSTEM, REPAIR CATEGORY
SEQUENCE NUMBERS & 2. NUMBER INSTALLED
ITEM 3. NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
4. REMARKS AND EXCEPTIONS
21 AIR CONDITIONING
3. Crewmember Interphone
System(s)
1) Passenger
Configuration
a) Flight Deck to B - - (O) May be inoperative provided: l
Cabin, Cabin to a) Flight deck to cabin and cabin to l
Flight Deck flight deck interphone functions l
Functions operate normally on at least fifty l
percent of cabin handsets, and l
b) Alternate communications l
procedures between the affected l
flight attendants station(s) are l
established and used. l
NOTE: Any station function(s) that l
operate normally may be used. l
5. Communication Systems l
(VHF, HF, UHF) l
(cont.)
A. Cockpit Voice l
Recorder CVR with l
Flight Data Recorder l
installed. l
2. DC External Power C 1 0
System
7. AC Inverter Transfer
Indicators
8. DC Electrical System
Indicators
7. Emergency Locator
Transmitter (ELT)
22. First Aid Kit (FAK) and/or A - - (O) If more than one is required by FAR, l
Associated Equipment only one of the required first aid kits may l
be incomplete, missing or inoperative l
provided: l
1. Baggage Compartment
Smoke Detectors
a) Forward Cargo C 2 1
Compartment
Smoke Detectors C 2 0 Both may be inoperative provided cargo
compartment remains empty except for
sand or metal ballast.
b) Aft Cargo C 2 1
Compartment
Smoke Detectors C 2 0 Both may be inoperative provided cargo
compartment remains empty except for
sand or metal ballast.
*** c) Main Cabin Smoke C 3 2 (O) May be inoperative provided l
Detectors with the remaining Main Cabin smoke detectors l
following STC’s are tested and determined to be l
only: operational prior to each flight. l
-30 STC SA7388SW C 3 1
-60 STC ST365CH, Two may be inoperative provided cargo l
ST290CH compartment remains empty except for l
sand or metal ballast. l
C 3 0
All may be inoperative provided cargo l
compartment remains empty except for l
sand or metal ballast.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 12 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 04/13/2012 26-2
1. SYSTEM, REPAIR CATEGORY
SEQUENCE NUMBERS & 2. NUMBER INSTALLED
ITEM 3. NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
4. REMARKS AND EXCEPTIONS
26 FIRE PROTECTION
2. Lavatory Fire
Extinguisher System
2) Cargo Configuration D - 0
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 12 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 04/13/2012 26-3
1. SYSTEM, REPAIR CATEGORY
SEQUENCE NUMBERS & 2. NUMBER INSTALLED
ITEM 3. NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
4. REMARKS AND EXCEPTIONS
26 FIRE PROTECTION
2) Cargo Configuration D - 0 l
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
MASTER MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
AIRCRAFT: REVISION NO: 12 PAGE NO:
SHORTS SD3 DATE: 04/13/2012 26-4
1. SYSTEM, REPAIR CATEGORY
SEQUENCE NUMBERS & 2. NUMBER INSTALLED
ITEM 3. NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
4. REMARKS AND EXCEPTIONS
26 FIRE PROTECTION
3. Fuel Filter Caution Light C 2 1 (M) One may be inoperative provided that
Systems in the event the operative warning light
illuminates, both systems are checked for
contamination.
4. Windshield Heating
Systems
10. Tail Deicer Boot Cycle C 1 0 May be inoperative provided aircraft is not
Indicating Light System operated in known or forecast icing
(Green Light) conditions.
11. Wing and Tail Bleed Air C 2 0 Both may be inoperative provided all
Duct Pressure Caution other components of wing and tail deicing
Light Systems and indicating systems are operative.
2. Clocks (Cockpit) C - 1
9. Anti-Collision
Beacon and Strobe Light
Systems
3) Glideslope Deviation B 2 0
(Mode 5)
2. Propeller Synchronizer C 1 0
System