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The Operations module must be enabled for your workspace. You also need the appropriate operations permissions. Contact your workspace administrator if you cannot access these features.
This guide covers the full lifecycle of a Minimum Equipment List (MEL) deferral — from reporting a discrepancy through deferral approval, tracking, and resolution.
You need the discrepancies.create or discrepancies.update permission. MEL deferral approvals typically require maintenance or admin-level access.

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Create a Discrepancy with MEL Deferral

When a crew member discovers an inoperative item, the first step is to create a discrepancy record and evaluate whether the item can be deferred under the operator’s approved MEL.

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Track Deferred Items

Deferred MEL items require ongoing monitoring to ensure they are resolved within the category time limit.

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Viewing deferred items

  • Aircraft detail page — the Discrepancies tab shows all open and deferred items for the aircraft. MEL deferrals display their category badge and days remaining.
  • Dispatch board — aircraft with active MEL deferrals show a warning indicator. Hovering displays the deferral details.
  • Maintenance Summary report — the Due Items report includes MEL deferrals approaching their repair deadline.

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Deferral expiration alerts

The system sends automated alerts as a deferral approaches its category deadline:
Review all active MEL deferrals during the daily dispatch briefing. The dispatch board highlights aircraft with deferrals that expire within the next 48 hours.

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Resolution Workflow

When a deferred item is repaired, follow these steps to close the deferral.
Resolved deferrals remain in the aircraft’s discrepancy history for audit and regulatory compliance purposes. They are not deleted.

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Regulatory Compliance

MEL deferrals are subject to specific regulatory requirements. PlaneConnection helps you stay compliant but does not replace the operator’s approved MEL.

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Key Regulations

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Dispatch Decision Checklist

Before dispatching an aircraft with an active MEL deferral, verify:
  1. The deferred item is listed in the operator’s approved MEL.
  2. The MEL category repair interval has not expired.
  3. All required operating procedures (O) are communicated to the crew.
  4. All required maintenance procedures (M) have been completed.
  5. Required placards are installed.
  6. The deferral does not conflict with the planned mission (e.g., night operations with a deferred navigation light).

MEL Deferrals Reference

Status definitions, categories, and deferral record fields.

Manage Discrepancies

General discrepancy and squawk management.

Aircraft Statuses

How aircraft status interacts with MEL deferral dispatch decisions.

Track Due Items

Maintenance due-item tracking and scheduling.
Last modified on April 11, 2026