Lesson: Use of Equipment List and MEL

References: AFH 2-4, FAR 91.213, FAR 21.197, FAR 21.199

PTS: Private 1-1, Commercial 1-1, CFI 1-13

Attention: Nobody wants to fly a "broken" airplane, but if you were to encounter an airplane with an inoperative piece of
equipment, how would you know if it were airworthy?

Motivation: Knowledge of FAR 91.213 (Inoperative Instruments and Equipment) will help you determine whether your aircraft is
airworthy whether it has a minimum equipment list or not.

Overview: This lesson will discuss airworthiness as it relates to inoperative equipment. It will explore the MEL as well as options
for airplanes without MELs.

Development:

In the Cadet, if an instrument or piece of equipment were broken, we didn’t have many options. If it was determined that
the regulations, etc. required that item, we either had to leave the airplane where it sat or file for a special flight permit.

In FlightSafety’s Seminoles however, we utilize Minimum Equipment Lists (MEL) that might be able to help us out of a
situation or just allow us to fly with a piece of equipment that is inoperative and determined by the PIC to be
unnecessary for the flight.

What is an MEL?
► Minimum Equipment List
• A list of equipment that can be inoperative and not affect the airworthiness of a specific aircraft.
• The approved MEL may not include
▪ Instruments that are specifically or otherwise required by the airplane's type certificate and which are essential for
safe operations under all operating conditions
▪ Instruments and equipment required by ADs
▪ Instruments and equipment required by Part 91 (i.e. 91.205, etc.)
• Must provide for the operation of the aircraft with the instruments and equipment in an inoperable condition

Procedures and limitations for determining airworthiness of the airplane with inoperative instruments and equipment
with and without an MEL
► Without an MEL (e.g. in the Cadet)
• Must be in a non-turbine powered airplane
• The inoperative instruments and equipment are not:
▪ Part of the VFR-day type certification
▪ Indicated as required on the aircraft's equipment list or on the Kinds of Operations Equipment List for the kind of
flight operation being conducted
▪ Required by 91.205 or any other rule of part 91
▪ Required by AD
• The inoperative equipment and instruments must be:
▪ Removed, the cockpit control placarded and the maint. recorded; or
▪ Deactivated and placarded "Inoperative" If deactivation requires maintenance, it must be done in accordance
with part 43.
• A determination by the PIC that it doesn't constitute a hazard to the flight
► With an MEL (e.g. in the Seminole)
• Approved MEL exists for that aircraft
• Letter of authorization from the issuing FSDO is onboard aircraft
▪ The MEL and letter constitute a supplemental type certificate (STC)
• The aircraft records available to the pilot must include an entry describing the inoperable instruments and equipment
• The aircraft must be operated under all applicable conditions and limitations listed in the MEL and letter of
authorization

Procedures for deferring maintenance on aircraft without an approved MEL

► If the equipment has been determined unnecessary for airworthiness and either removed or deactivated in accordance
with 91.213(d), the owner/operator may defer maintenance on the equipment or instrument indefinitely.

Minimum Equipment Lists and Special Flight Permits

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 Special Flight Permit
► A special flight permit allows the pilot to fly an airplane even though it doesn't meet the requirements of 91.213
• Flying the aircraft to a base where repairs, alterations, or maintenance are to be performed, or to a point of storage.
• Delivering or exporting the aircraft
• Production flight testing new production aircraft
• Evacuating aircraft from areas of impending danger
• Conducting customer demonstration flights in new production aircraft that have satisfactorily completed production
flight tests
• A special flight permit may also be issued to authorize the operation of an aircraft at a weight in excess of its maximum
certificated takeoff weight for flight beyond the normal range over water, or over land areas where adequate landing
facilities or appropriate fuel is not available. The excess weight that may be authorized under this paragraph is limited
to the additional fuel, fuel-carrying facilities, and navigation equipment necessary for the flight.
► It is obtained from the local FSDO via fax and is valid for a specific airplane at a specific time under a specific set of
conditions. The request will include:
• The purpose of the flight
• The proposed itinerary
• The crew required to operate the aircraft and its equipment, e.g., pilot, co-pilot, navigator, etc.
• The ways, if any, in which the aircraft does not comply with the applicable airworthiness requirements
• Any restriction the applicant considers necessary for safe operation of the aircraft
• Any other information considered necessary by the Administrator for the purpose of prescribing operating limitations
• The Administrator may make, or require the applicant to make appropriate inspections or tests necessary for safety
► No passengers may be carried
► Only required flight crew
► The authorization must be carried on board the aircraft during the flight

Conclusion: Knowing what an MEL list is.

Using an MEL.
Flying aircraft without MELs and with inoperative equipment.
Deferring maintenance.
Obtaining a special flight permit.

Questions:

Minimum Equipment Lists and Special Flight Permits

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