This is the apex of all MELs, with Management and Training sections and contains ATA items that are particular to your serial number. 14 CFR 91.213 requires an Aircraft MEL for all aircraft with a maximum certificated takeoff weight gross 12,500 lbs or greater with one exception of 14 CFR 91.213 (d)(1)(2)(3). EASA EU-OPS 1.030/JAR-OPS 3.030 for all aircraft aircraft type with a Maximum Total Weight Authorized (MTWA) exceeding 5670 kg or greater.

A serialized MEL is mandatory outside the US and it’s territories for flight operations conducted Internationally. An approved serialized Aircraft MEL and FAA D195 is required by ICAO and is enforced by EASA in Europe and it’s Members States.

A Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is one method aircraft operators may use to obtain relief from Federal Aviation Regulations or EU OPS/JAR-OPS  that generally require that all equipment installed on the aircraft be operative at the time of flight. Depending on the size and type of aircraft, the aircraft may still be airworthy with some specific kinds of equipment inoperative.

A serialized MEL is a precise listing of instruments, equipment and procedures that allows an aircraft to be operated under specific conditions with inoperative equipment. For Part 91 operators, a MEL consists of the FAA Letter of Authorization (LOA) which authorizes the operation of the aircraft specific to the aircraft make, model, serial number and registration number, the MEL Procedures Document that is developed by the aircraft operator, the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) preamble, and the MMEL itself that is developed by the aircraft manufacturer and the FAA. Together the four (LOA, MEL Procedures Document, MMEL preamble, and MMEL) constitute a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) that must be carried onboard the aircraft during its operation. For operators with Operations Specifications (OpSpecs), the MEL consists of the MEL Procedures Document, OpSpec and MMEL.

MELs are not required for a number of part 91 operations, but are required for operations under 14 CFR parts 91 subpart K, 121, 125, and 135.

With this privilege comes some restrictions. The following instruments and equipment may not be included in an MEL:

• Instruments and equipment that are either specifically or otherwise required by the airworthiness requirements under which the aircraft is type certificated and which are essential for safe operations under all operating conditions

• Instruments and equipment required by an airworthiness directive (AD) to be in operable condition unless the airworthiness directive provides otherwise.

• Instruments and equipment required for specific operations by 14 CFR part 91.

The aircraft records available to the pilot must include an entry describing the inoperable instruments and equipment. The aircraft is operated under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the MEL and the letter authorizing the use of the list.

An operator authorized to use an approved MEL issued for a specific aircraft under part 121, 125, or 135 shall use that MEL in connection with operations conducted with that aircraft under part 91 without additional approval requirements. This includes situations where the aircraft is be operated by a certificated air carrier as well as operated by a separate part 91 operator. The FAA will not issue more than one MEL per aircraft. The certificated air carrier is responsible for obtaining approval for multiple users of the MEL, training all persons in the MEL’s use, and must keep a complete and current list of all persons trained and authorized to use the MEL. The air carrier is also responsible for determining the aircraft’s maintenance status on its return from a part 91 operation. This must be done prior to return to service under parts 121, 125, 129, or 135.

Operators conduct aircraft operations with inoperative instruments and equipment within a framework of a controlled program of maintenance inspections, repairs and parts replacement; however, operators must exercise good judgment and have, at each required inspection, any inoperative instrument or equipment repaired or inspected or the maintenance deferred, as appropriate.

For part 91 subpart K, 121, 135 and 129 operators, repairs must be completed in the timeline as required by the repair category designator (“A,” “B,” “C” or “D”). Part 91 operators other than those fractional ownership program operators under part 91 subpart K are not subject to the timelines for repair imposed by the repair category designator.

TIMELINE FOR SUBMITTING ALL ORIGINAL MELS AND MEL REVISIONS.

All MELS and MEL Revisions that are provided by SourceOne Aviation Compliance must be submitted to the Operator/Client’s assigned FAA FSDO or IFO or the Foreign CAA with 7 business days of receipt by the client/operator. 

REVIEW.

The Owner or Operator must review the MEL and each subsequent revision prior to submitting to their FAA, or EASA office and submit to their FAA or EASA Regulatory office within 10 business days of receipt. If the MEL goes out of date while the FAA is reviewing it, any updates are an additional cost.

REVISIONS REQUESTED BY YOUR OPERATION DURING THE INITIAL APPROVAL PROCESS.

This is performed free of charge; however the operator must include ALL corrections requested by the entire company in one request. We strongly encourage all principals in the organization compile their list of questions and requests in ONE submission to SourceOne Aviation Compliance and must be completed with 21 business days. Multiple revision requests will result in additional charges (Please see revision costs below). ONE revision request is required in order to manage the costs of the program and save time in expediting the completed program to your operation. The revisions are accomplished in by sending a copy scanned in PDF format to our email at sales@rvsmcompliance.com. 

REVISIONS REQUESTED BY YOUR FAA INSPECTOR DURING THE INITIAL APPROVAL PROCESS.

Unless FAA Order 8900.1A Volume 4, Chapter 4, Sections 2 and 3 change during the review process, the Inspector’s changes are performed free of charge; however the FAA must include ALL changes requested by the POI, PMI, & PAI in one revision request. Multiple revision requests will result in additional charges. This type of revision is part of the approval process. SourceOne Aviation Compliance understands that since the requirements could vary between FAA inspectors and also the different FAA Flight Standards Regional or District Office’s we have a process to make applicable changes that your inspector may require as long as those changes follow FAA Order 8900.1A Vol 4, Chapt 4, Sections 2 & 3. The revisions are accomplished in by sending a copy scanned in PDF format to our email at sales@rvsmcompliance.com. If the MEL(s) that are previously FAA approved are transferred to another FAA Regional Office, the cost of the revision is as follows in costs listed below. Operator must respond to any FAA requests and provide a response to the FAA for those request within 14 business days.

WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE REVISION REQUEST BY YOUR ORGANIZATION OR THE FAA?

REVISIONS MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

• The item that needs to be corrected clearly identified.
• The item to be corrected can be circled on a printed page from the MEL or identified by page number and MEL ATA number.
• The specific issue or concern clearly detailed and what corrective action is being required. If the corrective action is unknown, we can offer suggestions to present to your operation or your FSDO, however your input from you and your FAA is greatly appreciated to expedite this process.
• Your contact information (if different from what is indicated as the client contact on the operator form).

NOTE: This revision process is usually 1-90 business days or possibly longer depending on our current task list to receive an amended copy upon the revision requirement or current workload placed on our staff.

REVISIONS REQUIRED DUE TO CHANGES TO THE MASTER MEL (MMEL).

A revision to the MMEL will occur as either a STANDARD revision or an INTERIM revision. Standard revisions will be designated by a number change to the revision status. For example, the revision status may change from revision 8 to 9. Letter revisions are interim changes to the current revision number. For example, revision status 8 would become 8a when an interim revision occurs.

OTHER REVISIONS.

There are 4 other reasons for revising an MEL that are expected during the next MMEL revision:

1. Operator/Owner Equipment Addition or Removal of an ATA Item
2. Changes to FAA Order 8900.1A Volume 4, Chapter 4, Sections 2 & 3
3. FAA Policy Letter Issuance within 6 months.
4. Late submissions of the MEL or submissions that are not completed in the required 10-day time frame by the operator.     

NOTIFICATION

Aircraft operators are normally notified via email from SourceOne Aviation Compliance when an FAA revision has occurred to one of their serialized MEL manuals. This notification will include the revision type: letter or number and the current revision date. SourceOne Aviation Compliance DOES provide an email notification to the person listed under the account name for all aircraft where an FAA MMEL has been posted. However, it is the operators’ responsibility to ensure that they are aware of a revision to the MMEL. Most revisions will need to be accomplished and submitted to your FAA Inspector within a recommended period of 90 days with exceptions. Providing a current OEM Maintenance Procedures Document is the responsibility of the client/operator.

REVISION PRICING

Most MEL vendors will not display this, E.G., Gulfstream will charge you $2,950 for your first MEL and $1,475 for future updates. So our pricing is more than competitive, it is far more cost-effective.

No annual or subscription fees – EVER. Revision costs are based on the amount of pages and content that is revised:

Cost: Flat Rate: $250 per day.

FAA pages: adding and inserting stamped pages for the FAA is included.

Special Revisions: Revisions requested by the client that contains specific criteria, data, or formatting not consistent with industry standards that require dedicated work hours by SourceOne Aviation Compliance’s technical editors/writers.

EXPEDITED ORDERS

Any expedited or AOG order or Revision will be charged an additional $350.00. For all revisions which are normally free, the charge will be $350.00, for all paid revisions which are normally $350.00 will be $700.00.