AIRBUS OPERATING PROCEDURES
8.6
OPERATIONS MEL & CDL
POLICY MANUAL Page 1
8.6. USE OF THE MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MEL) AND CONFIGURATION
DEVIATION LIST (CDL) (JAR-OPS 1.030 / 1.290)
The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is a document established by the operator and
approved by National Authorities of the operator. Operator's MEL is developed on the
base of Airbus Master MEL (MMEL) and customised by the operator as a function of its
own operational policies and national operational requirements.
The Configuration Deviation List (CDL) is a document approved by the Airworthiness
Authority having certified the aircraft. The CDL is included in the Aeroplane Flight
Manual.
These documents allow operations with certain items, systems, equipment, instruments
or components inoperative or missing as it has been demonstrated that an acceptable
level of safety is maintained by appropriate operating limitations, by the transfer of the
function to another operating component(s) or by reference to other instruments or
components providing the required information.
In the MEL, an equipment is declared inoperative when :
• It does not work.
• It does not ensure all functions for which it was designed.
• It does not work within its operational limits.
Whilst operating within the limits of the MEL / CDL, the aircraft is deemed to be
airworthy and capable of operating within the specified environment .
The MEL is not intended to provide for continued operation of an aircraft for an
unlimited period of time. Repairs should be made as soon as possible within the time
limit imposed by Rectification Intervals.
Rectification Intervals (A, B, C, and D) have been introduced in accordance with
definitions of JAR-MMEL/MEL.
Dispatch of the aircraft is not allowed after expiry of the Rectification Interval specified
in the MEL unless the Rectification Interval is extended in accordance with the
following:
A one time extension of the applicable Rectification Interval B, C, or D, may be
permitted for the same duration as that specified in the MEL provided:
- A description of specific duties and responsibilities for controlling extensions is
established by the operator, and
- The Authority is notified within 10 days of any extension authorised.
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AIRBUS OPERATING PROCEDURES
8.6
OPERATIONS MEL & CDL
POLICY MANUAL Page 2
Although the concept of Rectification Interval does not exist for the CDL, all CDL items
are not allowed to be left unrectified for an unlimited period of time as stated in the
Flight Manual.
However, a specific time limit is required in the dispatch condition itself for some items.
Decision for repair is under the operator responsibility.
It is company policy that every effort be made to maintain 100 % serviceability with
rectification being initiated at the first practical opportunity.
An aircraft must not be dispatched with multiple MEL / CDL items inoperative without
the Commander having first determined that any interface or interrelationship between
inoperative systems or components will not result in a degradation in the level of safety
and/or undue increase in crew workload.
The exposure to additional failures during continued operation with inoperative systems
or components must also be considered in determining that an acceptable level of
safety is maintained.
In case of defect, engineering personnel will certify in the Technical Log adjacent to the
appropriate defect the MEL / CDL subject title, system and item number together with
any operational limitations.
At the completion of any engineering tasks associated with the particular MEL item,
engineering personnel will placard the inoperative instrument, switch, light, etc.
When applicable, operational flight plan, take off and landing performance and fuel
requirement penalties must be taken into account due to inoperative equipment or
component.
When a MEL / CDL item is rectified, engineering personnel should make an entry in the
Technical Log identifying the item and details of the rectification, including a statement
that the MEL / CDL item has been removed. Appropriate MEL placards must then be
removed from the cockpit.
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