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What is the difference between these three equipment lists and how are these documents used?
(1) Aircraft Weight and Balance Handbook Chapter 2 |
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Equipment List - Issued with the AFM for the airplane and is specific to that aircraft serial number. The equipment list shows all the equipment installed or approved to be installed on the aircraft without requiring Form 337 to be filled out. Those items that are required (-R) are necessary to conform to type certificate data sheet (TCDS) and are required to be in working order. Those items marked (-S) are standard equipment but can be taken out of the aircraft without adversely affecting the TCDS. The items marked (-O) are optional equipment and either replance required or standard equipment. This equipment is required to be in the airplane if it is replacing required equipment. The last item (-A) are additional items that are in addition to required and standard equipment. It is approved to be a part of the airplane and included in the basic empty weight but can also be removed without adverse consequences. Any item installed or removed from the equipment list needs to have a corresponding entry in the weight and balance sheet for the aircraft. The equipment list is important as it will allow an airplane to take on different cofigurations. For example some C-172s have optional equipment that will allow the airplane to convert to a seaplane. If the airplane is modified to land on water in accordance with the equipment list a supplemental type certificate does not have to issued. This equipment list also allows for removal of seats and propeller spinners (on some aircraft) and still be in an airworthy state. As previously mentioned any equipment marked -S, -O, -A can be removed from the airplane and still comply with the TCDS. Minimum Equipment List (MEL) - Issued by the FAA FSDO and is specific to an aircraft serial number. The MEL shows equipment installed in the aircraft that can be inoperative in flight (installed in the aircraft) as long as the MEL procedures and restrictions are followed. Equipment required (-R) by its type certificate (equipment list) or by the type of operation in the FARs cannot be listed on the MEL. The MEL is created by using the MMEL as a base document and creating operation and maintenance procedures for each of those items in the MMEL. The MEL can be more restrictive than the MEL but cannot be less restrictive. The owner of the aircraft submits the newly created MEL to the FSDO POI and once accepted the POI will issue a letter or authorization (LOA) for the use of the MEL. The LOA and MEL will constitute a supplemental type certificate (STC) for that airplane. Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL) - Held by the FAA as a baseline for approving a MEL for the aircraft type. Typically, the MMEL is created by the aircraft manufacturer and is approved alongside the approval of the aircraft type design. Kind of Operation Equipment List - Each airplane is approved for a specific purpose usually stated as day, night, VFR, IFR, or icing. Under each of these operations the manufacturer may list additional equipment that is required to be in working order on the airplane. For example a PA-28-161 has rudder trim being required for any operation it is approved for. Even though the equipment may be standard on the equipment list, it is required to be working based on the Kind of Operation Equipment List. This list is usually in Section II of the approved flight manual. On most Cessna aircraft, this list usually has a statement that the equipment required for the kind of operation in the FARs are required by this equipment list. |
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Just to Clarify the Minimum Equipment list (MEL) is basically the MMEL with stuff added on by the owner/operator (ie DVD player, TV, and other non-essential items) and then the owner/operator must make procedure for each item on the list (procedures document). The document is then sent back to the FAA for approval once the MEL is approved it acts as a supplemental type certificate and must be in the aircraft at all times. Three parts of an MEL include Letter of authorization from FAA, MMEL, and procedures document. The MEL is based off of the MMEL. Does this mean that a MEL is specific to an aircraft or an aircraft series? What does the document do for the pilot? You're correct, the MEL with a LOA constitutes a STC. MEl are specific to the Aircraft by serial number (or VIN). From what I understand and MEL = LOA, procedures document, and MMEL. When operating with an MEL and something break you check the MEL and then follow the procedures which were developed, the MEL will also state hoe you can fly with the equipment inoperative. If the item is not in the MEL you cannot fly and must fix the item. The MEL is specific to an aircraft serial number. The MEL is based off the MMEL which is submitted to the FAA by the aircraft manufacturer. When an aircraft owner wants to create an MEL for their aircraft, they contact the FAA and gets a copy of the MMEL. The owner takes the MMEL and creates operations and procedures for the inoperative equipment and submits the new MEL to the FAA. When the FAA accepts the newly created MEL, they issue a letter of authorization for the aircraft. The MEL and LOA constitute a STC. The MEL can be more restrictive than the MMEL. An equipment list is just an MMEL that can be found in the POH/AFM? The equipment list is found in the AFM for the specific airplane but it is not a MMEL. What is the purpose of the equipment list? This answer is not completely correct but was the closest when the bounty expired. See my post below for an explanation of the difference between the three lists.
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