In aircraft maintenance, what does the abbreviation "MMEL" stand for?

The term "MMEL" stands for "Master Minimum Equipment List." This document is crucial in aviation as it provides a comprehensive list of the equipment that must be operational for an aircraft to be considered airworthy under specific circumstances. The MMEL details items that can be inoperative while still allowing the aircraft to be flown, along with any limitations and conditions that apply to these inoperative items. This list is developed by the aircraft manufacturer and approved by the regulatory authority and serves as the baseline for developing individual Minimum Equipment Lists (MELs) for specific aircraft operations. By establishing what equipment can remain non-functional without compromising safety, the MMEL helps operators manage maintenance schedules and decisions effectively.