What is the purpose of a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and who approves it?

• A. An MEL lists all equipment that must be active for flight; approved by the pilot in command
• B. An MEL lists equipment that may be inoperative under certain conditions but requires flight restrictions only by the FAA
• C. An MEL lists equipment that may be inoperative under certain conditions and still allow flight; approved by the operator and the aviation authority
• D. An MEL is a list of spare parts required for MEL

Answer: (C)

The Minimum Equipment List defines what equipment can be inoperative and still allow a flight to proceed, as long as specific conditions and limitations are met. It provides the safety-minded framework for dispatch when certain items aren’t working, so flights aren’t needlessly grounded.

It’s prepared by the operator based on the manufacturer’s MMEL and must be approved by the aviation authority (for example, the FAA in the United States). That combination—the operator’s MEL with regulatory approval—ensures the restrictions are appropriate for that fleet and operation.

So the best fit is a list of equipment that may be inoperative under certain conditions and still allow flight, with approval by the operator and the aviation authority.