ETOPS and USE OF MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MEL) AND CONFIGURATION DEVIATION LIST (CDL)
ETOPS
ETOPS (Extended Range Operations for Two-Engined Aeroplanes) operations apply to all revenue flights conducted in a twin engine aircraft over a route that contains a point further than 1 hour flying time from an adequate aerodrome, at the approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed.
The Company is not approved for ETOPS operations; hence all its aircraft must remain within 1 hour flying time at the approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed from an adequate aerodrome.
"Adequate" defines an aerodrome usability which has been determined, with particular regard to one-engine-inoperative approaches and landings, by the Flight Operations Manager, or a designated deputy, in accordance with the provisions of OM part A, Chapter 8; an ATC facility should be available and at least one letdown aid (ground radar would so qualify) for an instrument approach.
The "one-engine-inoperative cruise speed" shall be carefully selected from the manufacturer’s documentation (e.g. AFM or similar) and shall be sufficiently conservative as to be acceptable to the Authority; "one-engine-inoperative" does not automatically include "decompression" in this context.
For details refer to OM Part B, OM Part C and FCOM-PRO-SPO.
USE OF MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MEL) AND CONFIGURATION DEVIATION LIST (CDL)
Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is approved by the Authority and permits the operation with specific inoperative items of equipment for a period of time or a number of flights until repairs can be accomplished. It is important that repairs are accomplished at the earliest opportunity but in any case within the timeframe specified in the MEL for the particular equipment.
The basis for establishing and approving the MEL is the MMEL - the manufacturer’s Master Minimum Equipment List. This document is approved by the airworthiness authority.
Other than the MMEL the MEL also considers operational regulations and increased safety standards applicable to commercial operations. The MEL for the type concerned is contained in the respective OM Part B and provides for release of the aircraft for flight(s) with inoperative equipment. Whenever a flight - or series of flights - is released for dispatch with inoperative item(s), entries must be made in the Aircraft Technical Log, containing a detailed description of the inoperative item(s) using the appropriate system and sequence number found in the MEL, special advice to the crew and information regarding corrective action(s) taken. The MEL is not intended to provide for continued operation of the aeroplane for an indefinite period with inoperative items.
The basic purpose of the MEL is to permit the operation of an aeroplane within the framework of a controlled and sound maintenance and repair programme.
The decision of the Commander of the flight to have allowable inoperative items corrected prior to flight will take precedence over the provision contained in the MEL. The Commander may request requirements above the minimum listed whenever, in his judgement, such added equipment is essential to the safety of a particular flight under the special conditions prevailing at the time.
The MEL is applicable up until the time an aeroplane moves under its own power for the purpose of preparing for take-off. However the Commander should take into account any limitations of the MEL that may affect the flight, if a defect occurs between commencing taxi and performing the take-off.
Equipment obviously basic to the aeroplane’s airworthiness (such as wings, rudders, etc) is not listed in the MEL and must of course be operative for all flights. On the other hand, equipment obviously not required for a safe operation of the aeroplane - such as ashtrays, passenger convenience items, etc. - are not listed and may be unserviceable. For all further details check the MEL for the type concerned and OM Part B.
Configuration Deviation List (CDL)
An aircraft may be operated with secondary airframe and engine part deficiencies if so allowed in the approved CDL. Other than in the MEL, CDL items very often do not have a time limit or a limit on the number of landings. However the CDL will specify "changes" to the approved AFM-procedures or its performance.
All missing/deficient parts carrying performance penalties are cumulative unless specified penalties for certain combinations of missing parts are imposed.
Accumulated weight penalties - if there are any - must be considered and subtracted from the allowed weight for take-off, climb en-route or landing. When first making use of the CDL for a specific item, the appropriate item shall be described and entered in the Aircraft Technical Log and the Deferred Maintenance Items (DMI) list. For any subsequent flight(s) this particular item will be carried on in the Deferred Maintenance Item list until this part is replaced or repaired.
All further details may be found in the CDL for the respective type presented and in the OM Part B. CDL is included in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
ETOPS (Extended Range Operations for Two-Engined Aeroplanes) operations apply to all revenue flights conducted in a twin engine aircraft over a route that contains a point further than 1 hour flying time from an adequate aerodrome, at the approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed.
The Company is not approved for ETOPS operations; hence all its aircraft must remain within 1 hour flying time at the approved one-engine inoperative cruise speed from an adequate aerodrome.
"Adequate" defines an aerodrome usability which has been determined, with particular regard to one-engine-inoperative approaches and landings, by the Flight Operations Manager, or a designated deputy, in accordance with the provisions of OM part A, Chapter 8; an ATC facility should be available and at least one letdown aid (ground radar would so qualify) for an instrument approach.
For details refer to OM Part B, OM Part C and FCOM-PRO-SPO.
USE OF MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MEL) AND CONFIGURATION DEVIATION LIST (CDL)
Minimum Equipment List (MEL)
The Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is approved by the Authority and permits the operation with specific inoperative items of equipment for a period of time or a number of flights until repairs can be accomplished. It is important that repairs are accomplished at the earliest opportunity but in any case within the timeframe specified in the MEL for the particular equipment.
The basis for establishing and approving the MEL is the MMEL - the manufacturer’s Master Minimum Equipment List. This document is approved by the airworthiness authority.
Other than the MMEL the MEL also considers operational regulations and increased safety standards applicable to commercial operations. The MEL for the type concerned is contained in the respective OM Part B and provides for release of the aircraft for flight(s) with inoperative equipment. Whenever a flight - or series of flights - is released for dispatch with inoperative item(s), entries must be made in the Aircraft Technical Log, containing a detailed description of the inoperative item(s) using the appropriate system and sequence number found in the MEL, special advice to the crew and information regarding corrective action(s) taken. The MEL is not intended to provide for continued operation of the aeroplane for an indefinite period with inoperative items.
The basic purpose of the MEL is to permit the operation of an aeroplane within the framework of a controlled and sound maintenance and repair programme.
The decision of the Commander of the flight to have allowable inoperative items corrected prior to flight will take precedence over the provision contained in the MEL. The Commander may request requirements above the minimum listed whenever, in his judgement, such added equipment is essential to the safety of a particular flight under the special conditions prevailing at the time.
The MEL is applicable up until the time an aeroplane moves under its own power for the purpose of preparing for take-off. However the Commander should take into account any limitations of the MEL that may affect the flight, if a defect occurs between commencing taxi and performing the take-off.
Equipment obviously basic to the aeroplane’s airworthiness (such as wings, rudders, etc) is not listed in the MEL and must of course be operative for all flights. On the other hand, equipment obviously not required for a safe operation of the aeroplane - such as ashtrays, passenger convenience items, etc. - are not listed and may be unserviceable. For all further details check the MEL for the type concerned and OM Part B.
Configuration Deviation List (CDL)
An aircraft may be operated with secondary airframe and engine part deficiencies if so allowed in the approved CDL. Other than in the MEL, CDL items very often do not have a time limit or a limit on the number of landings. However the CDL will specify "changes" to the approved AFM-procedures or its performance.
All missing/deficient parts carrying performance penalties are cumulative unless specified penalties for certain combinations of missing parts are imposed.
Accumulated weight penalties - if there are any - must be considered and subtracted from the allowed weight for take-off, climb en-route or landing. When first making use of the CDL for a specific item, the appropriate item shall be described and entered in the Aircraft Technical Log and the Deferred Maintenance Items (DMI) list. For any subsequent flight(s) this particular item will be carried on in the Deferred Maintenance Item list until this part is replaced or repaired.
All further details may be found in the CDL for the respective type presented and in the OM Part B. CDL is included in the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM).
ETOPS and USE OF MINIMUM EQUIPMENT LIST (MEL) AND CONFIGURATION DEVIATION LIST (CDL)
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Reviewed by Aviation Lesson
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