FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Complete Practice Exam

When an item becomes inoperative during a flight, checking the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) is essential because this document specifies which equipment can be inoperative and still allow the aircraft to operate legally and safely. The MEL outlines the conditions under which the aircraft can continue its flight, including any required maintenance or operational limitations that must be adhered to due to the inoperative item.

While the Aircraft Flight Manual provides valuable information about the aircraft's systems and performance, it does not directly address the operations regarding inoperative items in the same way the MEL does. The Standard Operating Procedures cover operational guidelines for normal and emergency situations but may not specifically list inoperative equipment's acceptable status. The Emergency Procedures Manual focuses on how to handle emergencies and is not designed for routine operational equipment checks during flight. Thus, the MEL is the most authoritative source to reference when determining the next steps for an inoperative item in-flight.