Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Requirement for Approved MEL for Airline and Commuter Operators

INTRODUCTION

This Air Carrier Advisory Circular (ACAC) addresses the implementation of the mandatory requirement for an approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for Canadian Aviation Regulation (CAR) 704 Commuter and 705 Airline Operators.

REFERENCE

CAR 704.07(2)(d) and 705.07(2)(e).

BACKGROUND

The requirement for carriers to operate with an approved MEL was Moshansky Commission Recommendation Number 49 which became regulation for CAR 705 operators on December 10, 1996, and for CAR 704 operators on January 01, 1997. In order to meet the anticipated demand for new MEL approvals, Transport Canada Safety and Security embarked on a plan to produce MELs for operators which became the Generated MEL (GMEL) Program.

The GMEL Program commenced production in late 1996. The most commonly used aircraft types will be done first. The intent is to cover all Commuter and some Airline types (such as the HS748 and Convair 580) in Canada within approximately 18 months. There is no intent to produce a GMEL for existing large aircraft such as the Canadair Regional Jet, or any Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Airbus, Lockheed or similar type that is already operating under a mandated MEL system.

ACTION

Since GMELs for many types will not be available before early 1997, an exemption to the CARs requirement is available. The exemption will apply to those aircraft types for which GMELs are being developed but have not been completed. The Master Minimum Equipment List/Minimum Equipment List Policy and Procedures Guide TP 9155E at Appendix G shows the "Status of Current Generated MELs".

The exemption will be valid for sixty (60) days following the appearance of the GMEL for the specific aircraft type in Appendix G. This should provide sufficient time for the operator to request a GMEL from the GMEL Program.

It is important to understand that if an operator does not currently have an approved MEL for any aircraft type, amendments to both the Operations Manual and Maintenance Control Manual as well as personnel training prior to MEL approval will be required.

When GMELs for an aircraft type are ready for release, a GMEL request form will be made available in hard copy for each aircraft type. In many cases, it will be possible to request a GMEL before it is released using Appendix G and it is strongly recommended that this be done.

There will be a separate ACAC that will fully describe the GMEL Program, how it works and the method of GMEL procurement from the Regional GMEL Coordinator.

APPLICABILITY

The GMEL program applies to Airline and Commuter Operators as specified. Air Taxi operators are not required to have approved MELs and therefore do not need an exemption.

CONCLUSION

Since compliance with the exemption is contingent on knowing when the applicable aircraft type GMEL is available, it is advisable to check Appendix G on a monthly basis. Currently the list is available on the Ottawa Airworthiness Bulletin Board at (613) 991-6465 or from your Transport Canada Regional office.

A.J. LaFlamme
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation