Minimum Equipment List (MEL)

A FAA-mandated list of aircraft equipment that must be functioning before an aircraft may legally take off with passengers. Repairs to some items not essential to an aircraft’s airworthiness may be deferred for limited periods of time approved by the FAA.

See this detailed article at Aviation Inspections

Related posts:

1. Repair Classifications
2. Bermuda I Agreement
3. Extended Range Operations with Twin-engine airplanes (ETOPS)
4. Bermuda II Agreement
5. ARINC