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By following this guide, you will create MEL deferrals for inoperative instruments and equipment, assign the correct MEL category (A—D), track rectification intervals, monitor expiration dates, manage operational limitations, and close deferrals when the item is repaired.
Who should read this: Directors of maintenance, maintenance controllers, dispatchers, and pilots in command responsible for determining whether an aircraft may be operated with inoperative equipment under MEL provisions.Required permission: maintenance_ops — read to view, update to create and manage deferrals. MEL certificate authority may be required for initial deferral creation depending on your organization’s MEL procedures.Regulatory basis: 14 CFR 91.213 governs the operation of aircraft with inoperative instruments and equipment. 14 CFR 135.179 establishes MEL requirements specific to Part 135 operations. Your operator-specific MEL, approved by the FAA as part of your OpSpecs, defines which items may be deferred and under what conditions.

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MEL Category Reference

MEL items are classified into four categories that determine the maximum time allowed for repair:
Calendar day intervals exclude the day the malfunction was recorded. “3 consecutive calendar days” means the item must be repaired by the end of the third calendar day after the day of discovery. Extensions beyond these intervals require specific FAA authorization and must be documented.

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The MEL Deferrals List

Navigate to Maintenance > MEL Deferrals to see all active and historical deferrals. The list shows: Items nearing expiration show an amber badge; expired items show a red badge.

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Create a MEL Deferral

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Monitor Deferral Expiration

The MEL Deferrals list highlights items approaching their rectification deadline:
  • Items within 24 hours of expiration show an amber badge
  • Expired items show a red badge and an Overdue status
  • The compliance dashboard includes a fleet-wide MEL deferral count
Operating an aircraft with an expired MEL deferral may constitute a violation of 14 CFR 91.213 and 14 CFR 135.179. Expired deferrals must be resolved before further flight or extended with proper authorization.

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Extend a Deferral

If authorized by your MEL procedures and the FAA, deferrals can be extended:
  1. Open the deferral detail page
  2. Click Extend
  3. Enter the new expiration date and the authorization reference
  4. The extension count increments and the event is audit-logged

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Close a Deferral

Manage Discrepancies

Create and track the underlying defects that lead to MEL deferrals.

Compliance Dashboard

Monitor fleet-wide MEL deferral status at a glance.

Manage Work Orders

Create work orders to resolve deferred items before expiration.

AD/SB Compliance

Track Airworthiness Directive compliance alongside MEL deferrals.
Last modified on April 5, 2026