In a message dated 9/18/2002 3:04:38 PM Central Standard Time, jwright@halcyon.com writes: > I have an MEL question. If something isn't on the MEL, why is there > a time limit (apparently three days in this example) for getting > it fixed? > > Curious, > Jon > Actually Jon, if something isn't in the MEL, it can't be broken. Michael knows it well. In our MEL, Cat A is a variable time, defined for each deferrable item; Cat B is three working days; C is ten days; D (yeah we have D) is 120 days. The only thing I know that is in D is our Vapor Cycle Air Conditioning (usually used on the ground), meaning they can go the entire summer without fixing it. Of course these numbers don't count the day it was discovered. For example: when we find some cockpit lighting inoperative, usually if it is the backlighting or E/L. If we write it up say, 10 Sept 2002, and maintenance defers it. The count starts on the 11, and goes ten days to 20 Sept, our logbook will say that the problem must be corrected prior to 21 Sept 2002. Confused yet? I have to think about it all the time. If that isn't enough fun, try an airplane with multiple deferrals with different dates and lengths. Jim Jim Hann Waterski J-41 Captain Lambert-St. Louis Airport (STL/KSTL)