MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST HANDLING

I.

PURPOSE
To provide guidelines for personnel / division in handling the Minimum Equipment List
item in order to facilitate rectification of a problem in aircraft system and component.

II.

DESCRIPTION
When there is need to rectify problem on aircraft system/component, but the required
part is not available in stock, rectification may be deferred based on the Repair Interval
Limitation of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines approved Minimum Equipment
List. Entry of deferred Maintenance Item under MEL is made on an MEL item Index
located on the top of aircraft logbook. The yellow copy of the logbook entry
(maintenance/cabin) is retained in a plastic insert in the aircraft logbook until the problem
is rectified. Repair Interval limitation or Category shall be specified in the Minimum
Equipment List Item Index. Repair time limits are monitored by Plane Crew Chief. Upon
availability of required part, problem rectification is carried out by Maintenance without
delay. Corrective action is reflected in aircraft logbook.
Minimum Equipment List Item Index is updated. Discrepancy stated in yellow copy is
corrected, signed and stamped and routed to Production Control.

III. DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

A. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE
1. Rectify defects entered in Aircraft Logbooks as reported by the Flight Crew or
revealed during ground inspection. In case of rectification, defer the action in
accordance with the customers aircraft MEL procedures and restriction.
2. Makes entry of deferred Maintenance item in Minimum Equipment List Item
Index in Aircraft Maintenance or Cabin Logbook. Specify the Category of
discrepancy.
3. Insert yellow copy of the log book sheet with the uncorrected discrepancy in
plastic envelope in the logbook.
4. Prepares necessary documents for removal and installation of the affected
component.
5. Initiates Corrective action for discrepant aircraft system/component as soon as
the required parts become available.

B. PLANE CREW CHIEF

1. Responsible for MEL and Deferred Maintenance Items tracking to ensure that all
parties involved are kept informed to comply with their due dates.

C. PRODUCTION PLANNING AND CONTROL

1. Monitor MEL and CDL clearing
2. Responsible in coordinating with SIAEC regarding in ordering parts requested by
MCC or Maintenance for MEL, CDL ,ADD requirements
1

MEL

3. Perform close monitoring and follow-up on all outstanding parts ordered

especially those considered CRITICAL items (MEL/AOG).
4. Responsible in checking and preloading of available parts for Routine and nonRoutine (MEL, CDL, and ADD) task.
5. Assigned newly arrived parts as to where should the specific item/part be
utilized, whether ADD and MEL.

D. TECHNICAL RECORDS CONTROLLER

1. Check the completeness of accomplished of turn-over aircraft documents during
in-house maintenance check by production control personnel. A company record
of these documents shall be maintained.
2. Attached the yellow copy of the logbook entry to the white copy after the
Minimum Equipment List has been rectified.
While the MMEL is for an aircraft type, the MEL is tailored to the operators specific
aircraft and operating environment and may be dependent upon the route structure,
geographical location and number of airports where spares and maintenance capability
are available etc.
It is the air operators responsibility to develop Operation O and Maintenance M
procedure, or to use manufacturer development Operation and Maintenance procedure
manual, a Dispatch Deviation Procedure Guide (DDPG) Manual, Dispatch Deviation
Guide (DDG), or other equivalent document where these procedures are available.
Air operators currently using an approved company MEL or in the process of amending
or developing a new MEL must ensure that all regulatory reference are in accordance
with the countrys Regulations and Standards.

M.E.L. INTENT
Expect authorized, operation of an aircraft with equipment inoperative or removed is
prohibited unless an operator does so in compliance with an approved MEL.

M.E.L. LIMITATIONS
The content of an operators approved MEL cannot be less restrictive than the content of
the source MMEL for that aircraft type.

M.M.E.L. STATUS
The operator must ensure that they use the latest version of the source of MMEL to
develop their MEL. The countrys regulating body reserves the right to add an overriding
limitation.

M.M.E.L. ACQUISITION
Approved MMELs may be acquired from the foreign Civil Aviation Authority. Alternative,
operators may obtain MMELS directly from the manufacturer, who will normally provide
MMELs along with a revision service. It is the responsibility of the operator to provide a
complete set of source MMEL documents to the country regulating body and also
ensure a proper revision service.

MEL

AUDIT OF OPERATORS MEL

The CAAP will audit the operators conformance to MEL requirements on an ongoing
basis, and as part of any company audit. Significant non-conformance may result in the
MEL approval being withdrawn.

MEL UPDATES
It is the operators responsibility to ensure that their MEL is reviewed and update as
required. It should be reviewed at least annually to ensure that it incorporates any
changes to the operation of the aircraft.

M.E.L. CONTENTS
a. List of Effective Pages (LEP)
The LEP is used to ensure that each MEL is up to date. It must list the date to last
revision for each page. The date and revision status of each page of the MEL must
correspond with what is shown on the LEP.
b. Revision Control Page
The revision control page is a record of revision that has been carried out in the MEL
and should contain the revision date and the signature of the person who carried out the
revision. The page indicates the current revision status of the MEL.
c. Table of Contents
The Table of Contents page list the section for each aircraft system, normally using the
ATA numbering system, normally using ATA numbering system, as found in the MMEL.
d. Chapter and Page Numbering
It is preferable to use Ata numbering system and sequence number as given in the
MMEL. Number pages with ATA system number followed by the page number for that
system. (The following 27- 2-2 would be 27-2-2)
e. Minimum Equipment List Preamble
The purpose of the MEL Preamble is to provide general direction to company personnel
on the philosophy and use of MEL.
f. Notes and Definition
Notes and definition are required to allow the user to interpret the MEL properly. Notes
and definition utilized in the MMEL are to be used in the MEL where applicable, together
with any additional ones the document for an operators particular requirement

MEL

OPERATING and MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

a) Dispatch with inoperative item is often acceptable only with the creation of
special operating or maintenance procedures.
b) Where the MMEL indicates that this is the case, the operator must establish,
publish and obtain approval for appropriate procedures. Procedures
recommended by the aircraft manufacturer in most cases can be adopted for this
purpose, but the ultimate responsibility for providing acceptable procedures to
approved in the MEL rest with the operator. These procedures will ensure that a
satisfactory level of safety will be maintained.
c) The operator when comparing the MEL against the MMEL must ensure that
where the (O) or (M) symbols appear, an operating or maintenance procedure
has been developed that provides clear direction to the crew members and
maintenance personnel of the action to be taken. This procedure must be
included in the MEL.
d) The only exception is when the procedure is contained in another document that
is available :
1. To the flight crew on the flight deck, such as an Aircraft Flight Manual , Aircraft
Operating Manual, or the Company Operation manual;
2. To the flight attendants, such as a Company Operation Manual or Flight
Attendant Manual;
3. To the maintenance crew, such as an Aircraft Maintenance Manual (e.g. Airbus
Aircraft Deactivation Procedure Manual), Maintenance Control Manual, etc. In
these cases, the MEL may refer to a section of the appropriate document.

It is not acceptable to reference the Civil Aviation Regulation or similar document,

as these are not carried on the board the aircraft and could be subject to
misinterpretation. The objective is to provide with clear, concise direction on how
they are to proceed. Where the MMEL column 4 states as required by the
Regulation, this wording shall not appear in the MEL; rather, a synopsis of the
Regulation shall appear.

APPROVAL OF OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES

Manufacturers may choose to procedure operating and maintenance procedures as
Dispatch Deviation Procedure Guides, for use by the operators. These procedures may
be inserted into appropriate MEL pages, and submitted by the operator, to form part of
the MEL. Dispatch Deviation Guides, Dispatch Deviation Procedure Guides and other
similar documents cannot be approved by a countrys aviation regulating body, nor can
they replace the MEL. If the aircraft manufacturer develops appropriate procedures and
submit them to an aviation regulating body for approval.
OPERATION MANUAL PROCEDURES
The operator must establish procedures in the company Operation Manual for the use
and guidance of the crew members when using the MEL. The procedures agree with
those in the Maintenance Control Manual. The operator may choose to include all
procedures/instructions in the MEL itself; in which cause the Operation Manual will only
be required to reference the document.
4

MEL

MEL Presentation
COLUMN 1: ITEM
It lists the equipment, components, systems and function, for which dispatch conditions
apply. System numbers are based on Air Transport Association (ATA) specification
number 100.
Note: one single computer may include several functions. The corresponding MEL entry
is either the computer itself if fully inoperative or each function separately. If several
functions are inoperative, reference must be made to each other.
COLUMN 2: RECTIFICATION INTERVAL
Indicates the maximum time an aircraft may be operated between the deferral of an
inoperative item. The category of each item is determined according to the requirements
specifications.
CATEGORY A: No standard interval is required; however, items in this category
shall be rectified in accordance with the conditions stated in column 5. Where a
time period is specified, it shall start at 00:01 on the calendar day following the
day of discovery.
CATEGORY B: Items in this category shall be rectified within three consecutive
calendar days, excluding the day of discovery. For example, if it were recorded at
10am on the 26th of January, the three day interval would begin at 00:01 of the
27th and end at midnight the 29th.
CATEGORY C: Items in this category shall be rectified within 10 consecutive
calendar days, excluding the day of discovery. For example, if it were recorded at
10am on the 26th of January, the ten day interval would begin at 00:01 of the 27 th
of January and end at midnight February 5th.
CATEGORY D: Items in this category shall be rectified within 120 consecutive
calendar days excluding the day of discovery.
Under certain conditions, such as shortage of parts from manufacturer, or other
unforeseen situations, air operators may be unable to comply with specified repair
intervals. This may result in the grounding of aircraft. To preclude that from happening, a
MEL Item Repair Interval Extension Program has been instituted that will allow operators
under controlled conditions, to obtain extensions to MEL repair interval categories.
Subject to the approval of the authority, the operator may use a procedure for the
extension of the applicable rectification intervals B, C, D for the same duration specified
in the MEL, provided:

A description of specific duties and responsibilities for the controlling extensions

is established by the operator accepted by the authority

The operator only grants a onetime extension of the applicable rectification interval
The authority is notified of any extension granted within timescale acceptance to the
authority
Rectification is accomplished at the earliest opportunity.

MEL

COLUMN 3: NUMBER INSTALLED

It indicates, for a given item, the quantity of equipment, components, system or
functions, installed on the airplane. This quantity reflects the airplane type certificated
configuration and, therefore required for all flight conditions, unless otherwise indicated
in column 4 in conjunction with exceptions or remarks. A dash symbol indicates that a
variable quantity is installed.
COLUMN 4: NUMBER REQUIRED FOR DISPATCH
If indicates, for a given item, the quantity of equipment, component system or function.
Which must be conditions listed in Column 5 (if any). A dash symbol indicates that a
variable quantity is required for dispatch.
COLUMN 5: REMARKS OF EXCEPTIONS
Asterisk (*) requires inoperative equipment, component system, or function to be
placarded in the cockpit to inform crewmembers of the equipment condition. Unless
otherwise specified, placard wording and location will be determined by the operation
(O) symbol indicates a crew operational procedure.
(m) symbol indicates a requirement for a specific maintenance procedure which must be
accomplished when operating with the listed item inoperative. If no periodicity defined in
the remarks column of the MEL, maintenance action is a onetime action to be
accomplished before the first flight under relevant MEK item (e.g. a deactivation
procedure) otherwise, this is a action. In this case, periodicity of the maintenance
procedure is defined in the Remarks Column of the Relevant MEL item.
NOTE: When a periodicity is defined, maintenance must be applied before the first
flight under the relevant MEL item and must be repeated at the defined interval.
Normally these procedures are accomplished by maintenance personnel; however, other
personnel may be qualified and authorized to perform certain functions. Procedures
requiring specialized knowledge or skill, or requiring the use of tools or test equipment
should be accomplished bay maintenance personnel. The satisfactory accomplishment
of all maintenance procedures, regardless who performs them, is the responsibility of
the operator.
NOTE: Both symbols (O) and (m) used singularly or in combination, required the
appropriate procedures to be established with one item inoperative.
Reference given in Column 5 can either provide:

to indicate that an item of equipment has to be considered inoperative as a result

of the failure item listed in column 1, or

to indicate that another document has to be consulted (e.g. Refer to FCOM), or

to indicate that another ATA chapter of the MEL has to be consulted to determine
applicable item (e.g. Item 22-61-01 refers to 27-23)

MEL

These reference are intended to assist with compliance, but do not relieve the operator
of responsibility for determining such interrelationship, as stated in the preamble.
NOTE in column 5 indicates additional information and references for crewmember or
maintenance consideration.
Three NOTE Levels:
Level 1: Written in bold italics characters and marked by two lines, the upper which
contains the title NOTE, this note is applicable to all items listed below and related with
the associated systems and subsystem.
Level 2: Written in normal italics characters and marked by two lines, the upper which
contains the title NOTE, this note is applicable to all remarks or exceptions in column 5,
associated with the item facing the note.
Level 3: Written in normal italics character and located below a specific mark or
exception, in column 5. This not is applicable only to that specific remarks or exception
associated with a given item.

MEL