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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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Step 1: Report the discrepancy
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Navigate to Ops > Fleet > [Aircraft] > Discrepancies and click New Discrepancy.
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Fill in the following fields:
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FieldDescriptionTitleShort summary of the issue (e.g., “Right landing light inoperative”).ATA ChapterSelect the ATA chapter (e.g., “33 — Lights”).DescriptionDetailed description of the discrepancy.SeveritySelect the severity: Minor, Major, Critical, or Grounding.Reported ByYour name is auto-populated.
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Step 2: Evaluate MEL applicability
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Consult the operator’s approved MEL for the aircraft type. Determine whether the inoperative item is listed in the MEL and under what conditions it can be deferred.
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Not all discrepancies can be deferred. Items not listed in the approved MEL, or items that fall under the “instruments and equipment required” list in 14 CFR 91.205, cannot be deferred. When in doubt, consult the Director of Maintenance.
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Step 3: Record the MEL deferral
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If the item is deferrable, update the discrepancy record:
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  • Set Status to Deferred.
  • Select the MEL Category (A, B, C, or D) based on the MEL entry.
  • Enter the Deferred Date — the date the deferral begins. The system calculates the repair deadline based on the category.
  • Optionally enter the MEL Certificate Number for traceability.
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    Step 4: Document operating procedures and placards
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    In the Description or Notes field, document any required:
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  • Operating procedures (O) — operational limitations or procedures that must be followed while the item is deferred.
  • Maintenance procedures (M) — maintenance actions required before the deferral is active (e.g., deactivating a system, installing a placard).
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    Step 5: Save the deferral
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    Click Save. The deferral is now active and visible on the aircraft’s discrepancy list, the dispatch board, and the maintenance summary.

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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:
    CategoryAlert Timing
    Category APer MEL-specified interval
    Category B1 day before the 3-day deadline
    Category C3 days before the 10-day deadline
    Category D14 days before the 120-day 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.
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    Step 1: Initiate the repair
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    Update the discrepancy status from Deferred to In Progress. This indicates that corrective action has begun.
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    Optionally, add a corrective action record with:
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  • Description of the planned repair
  • Assigned technician or vendor
  • Estimated completion date
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    Step 2: Complete the repair
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    Once the repair is finished, update the discrepancy:
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  • Set Status to Resolved.
  • Enter the Resolution — description of the corrective action performed.
  • Enter Resolved By — the person who performed or signed off on the repair.
  • Enter Resolved Date — the date the repair was completed.
  • Optionally enter a Work Order Reference for traceability to the maintenance tracking system.
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    Step 3: Return to service
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    If the repair involved removing placards, restoring deactivated systems, or performing a functional check, document these steps in the resolution notes.
    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

    RegulationRequirement
    14 CFR 91.213(a)Aircraft with an approved MEL may operate with inoperative instruments and equipment per the MEL provisions.
    14 CFR 91.213(d)Aircraft without an approved MEL may operate with inoperative equipment if it is not required by type certificate, 91.205, AD, or other regulations, and is deactivated and placarded “Inoperative.”
    14 CFR 135.179Part 135 operators must have an approved MEL. The MEL must be based on the MMEL for the aircraft type.
    14 CFR 43.11Maintenance records must include a description of the work performed, date of completion, and signature of the person approving the return to service.

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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