Story ID: 
FAA Issues New MMEL Relief Process Guidelines
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: With operators seeking MEL relief for STC components not yet evaluated through the required process, the FAA has issued new guidance.
Word Count: 226
The FAA’s flight standards division has issued an Information for Operators (InFO) bulletin regarding master minimum equipment list (MMEL) relief for items installed under a supplemental type certificate (STC). The agency’s guidance requires that components, systems, or appliances installed on aircraft under an STC be included in the MMEL before approval for inclusion on the operator’s minimum equipment list (MEL) is allowed. Before inclusion, the flight operations evaluation board (FOEB) must evaluate an STC.

The FAA recently discovered that operators had been exercising MEL relief for STC components not yet evaluated through the FOEB process. To rectify this problem, the agency issued a policy deviation to all safety assurance offices effective through April 30, 2019, requesting that all operators provide within 60 days a complete listing of all STCs already installed that have not been evaluated for MMEL relief in accordance with MMEL policy letter 109.

In light of the accruing STCs requiring FOEB evaluation, the FAA also developed an interim solution whereby if the FOEB chair evaluates the proposed MMEL relief and determines it can be utilized without modification, the respective aircraft evaluation group (AEG) office will issue an authorization letter to the operator, allowing immediate relief for the STC item without further amendment of their existing MEL. Should the request require specialized relief, the FOEB will revise the MMEL.