InFO 18004: Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Nonessential Equipment and Furnishings (NEF) Programs

Distributed by: Air Transportation Division

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Subject: Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Nonessential Equipment and Furnishings (NEF) Programs

Purpose: This InFO provides notification of and information on updates to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Order 8900.1, Volume 4, Chapter 4, Section 4, Nonessential Equipment and Furnishings (NEF) Program.

Background: A NEF program allows operators to use the deferral authority granted in the master minimum equipment list (MMEL) to provide deferral relief for inoperative, damaged, or missing nonessential items located throughout an aircraft. A NEF program is developed by operators within their MEL, approved by the FAA (NEF programs of parts 91 (excluding part 91K) and 142 are not FAA-approved but still require surveillance by the Flight Standards field office), and tailored to meet their individual needs.

A NEF program includes a NEF list (or equivalent), a process for evaluating an item in accordance with NEF requirements, reporting procedures, and repair and/or replacement policy and procedures.

Discussion: The FAA’s Flight Standards Service has recently clarified its standards for NEF programs. Many of these clarifications are related to what may and may not be included in a NEF program. 1) In accordance with the definition in MMEL Policy Letter (PL)-25, MMEL and MEL Definitions, NEF items are:

a) Items installed on the aircraft as part of the original type certification (TC), Supplemental Type Certificate (STC), engineering order, or other form of alteration, that have no effect on the safe operation of the aircraft;

b) Items not required by the applicable certification or operational rules; and c) Items that, if inoperative, damaged, or missing, have no effect on the aircraft’s ability to be operated safely under all operational conditions.

2) Additionally, NEF items may be considered:

a) Inoperative, damaged, or missing nonessential items located throughout the aircraft including, but not limited to, the passenger compartment, flight deck area, service areas, cargo areas, crew rest areas, lavatories, and galley areas; and

InFOInformation for Operators

U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation

Administration

InFO 18004

DATE: 5/14/18

Flight Standards Service

Washington, DC

Distributed by: Air Transportation Division

b) Cosmetic items which are fully serviceable but worn. Cosmetic items may have associated fire retardant/blocking requirements that must be considered before approving as a NEF item. 3) In accordance with the definition found in MMEL PL-25, NEF items are not: a) Instruments and equipment already identified in the MEL or CDL of the applicable aircraft; b) Instruments and equipment functionally required for meeting any certification rule; and c) Instruments and equipment required for compliance with any operational rule.

4) Additionally, NEF items may not be considered (NOTE: This list is not all-inclusive): a) Items deferred contrary to an operator’s Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP);

b) Paint (mismatched, bad, or worn condition);

NOTE: Paint is addressed in other maintenance documents utilized for determining airworthiness; the NEF program is not appropriate.

c) Rodent or pest (bug) infestations of any type; and d) Items which are only dirty or soiled (e.g., carpet, seats, interior side walls, or a dirty garbage can).

5) A NEF item should not be confused with or used as an Administrative Control Item (ACI). An ACI is something the aircraft operator lists in its MEL for tracking and informational purposes only. Principal Operations Inspectors (POI) may not approve the use of an NEF as an ACI.

Recommended Action: Parts 91, 91K, 121, 125 (including part 125 Letter of Deviation Authority (LODA) holders), 129, 135, and 142 operators authorized to conduct operations with an FAA-approved MEL should review these recent clarifications and update their NEF programs as needed. FAA Principal Inspectors (PI) are encouraged to discuss these clarifications with their operators.

Contact: Questions or comments regarding this InFO should be directed to the Air Transportation Division’s New Program Implementation Branch at 202-267-8166.