Eau Claire, Wisconsin-based charter operator Heartland Aviation has adopted TrustFlight’s minimum equipment list (MEL) Manager software to help manage the MEL process for its Bombardier Challenger 350 and Cessna Citation Sovereign.

According to TrustFlight, many aircraft operators rely on word processors such as Microsoft Word to edit and maintain their MEL documents. “However, Word often proves inadequate for the task, frequently crashing or corrupting files due to the size and formatting requirements of MELs. Such inefficiencies can lead to operational delays, regulatory risks, and frustration for maintenance and operations teams,” the company explained.

The MEL Manager software automates MEL processes to reduce the risk of manual-entry errors and ensure alignment with changes to regulatory MEL updates. TrustFlight maintains up-to-date MEL information to provide “seamless integration with operational and safety systems…ensuring that MELs remain accurate and actional across all departments.” Another advantage, according to TrustFlight, is that MEL Manager helps personnel across all departments collaborate via a centralized and user-friendly interface.

“Heartland Aviation has always prioritized the safety and reliability of its services,” said Cory Haupt, the company’s director of operations. “By partnering with TrustFlight, we’re adopting one of the industry’s most advanced tools to ensure our operations remain immune to compliance errors that may impact our flight operations.”