FAR 91.1115 — MEL for Fractional Operations
FAR 91.1115 explains MEL requirements for fractional ownership operations, including authorization, records, and items that can't be deferred. Study guide for pilots.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1115 governs how fractional ownership operators (Subpart K) handle aircraft with inoperable instruments or equipment. You can't simply take off with broken gear — specific conditions must be met first.
To dispatch with inoperable items, all of the following must be true:
- An approved Minimum Equipment List (MEL) exists for the aircraft.
- The program manager holds management specifications authorizing MEL operations, and the flight crew has direct access to the MEL before flight.
- The MEL provides procedures for operating with the inoperable items.
- Records identifying the inoperable equipment and any required procedures are available to the pilot.
- The aircraft is operated within all MEL and management specification limitations.
Certain items may never be deferred under the MEL:
- Equipment required by the aircraft's type certification that is essential for safe operation.
- Items required operable by an Airworthiness Directive (unless the AD says otherwise).
- Equipment specifically required for operations under Part 91.
If an item can't be deferred, the aircraft can still be flown under a special flight permit (ferry permit) per §§ 21.197 and 21.199. This rule matters because it keeps fractional operations safe and legal while allowing practical dispatch flexibility.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1115§ 91.1115 Inoperable instruments and equipment.
(a) No person may take off an aircraft with inoperable instruments or equipment installed unless the following conditions are met:
(1) An approved Minimum Equipment List exists for that aircraft.
(2) The program manager has been issued management specifications authorizing operations in accordance with an approved Minimum Equipment List. The flight crew must have direct access at all times prior to flight to all of the information contained in the approved Minimum Equipment List through printed or other means approved by the Administrator in the program manager's management specifications. An approved Minimum Equipment List, as authorized by the management specifications, constitutes an approved change to the type design without requiring recertification.
(3) The approved Minimum Equipment List must:
(i) Be prepared in accordance with the limitations specified in paragraph (b) of this section.
(ii) Provide for the operation of the aircraft with certain instruments and equipment in an inoperable condition.
(4) Records identifying the inoperable instruments and equipment and the information required by (a)(3)(ii) of this section must be available to the pilot.
(5) The aircraft is operated under all applicable conditions and limitations contained in the Minimum Equipment List and the management specifications authorizing use of the Minimum Equipment List.
(b) The following instruments and equipment may not be included in the Minimum Equipment List:
(1) Instruments and equipment that are either specifically or otherwise required by the airworthiness requirements under which the aircraft is type certificated and that are essential for safe operations under all operating conditions.
(2) Instruments and equipment required by an airworthiness directive to be in operable condition unless the airworthiness directive provides otherwise.
(3) Instruments and equipment required for specific operations by this part.
(c) Notwithstanding paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section, an aircraft with inoperable instruments or equipment may be operated under a special flight permit under §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of this chapter.
(d) A person authorized to use an approved Minimum Equipment List issued for a specific aircraft under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter must use that Minimum Equipment List to comply with this section.
[Docket FAA-2001-10047, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003, as amended by FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 91-379, 89 FR 92486, Nov. 21, 2024]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under Part 91 Subpart K, what conditions must be met before you can take off with inoperable equipment?
Per FAR 91.1115, there must be an approved MEL for the aircraft, the program manager must have management specifications authorizing MEL use, the crew must have access to the MEL, records of inoperable items must be available to the pilot, and the aircraft must be operated within all MEL limitations.
Q2What types of equipment can never be listed as deferrable on an MEL?
FAR 91.1115(b) prohibits including items required by the aircraft's type certification that are essential for safe operation, items required operable by an Airworthiness Directive (unless the AD says otherwise), and equipment specifically required for operations under Part 91.
Q3If an item required for safe operation is inoperable and can't be deferred via the MEL, can the aircraft still be flown?
Yes. FAR 91.1115(c) allows the aircraft to be operated under a special flight permit issued under §§ 21.197 and 21.199, commonly called a ferry permit, despite the restrictions in paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(3).
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