Definition
A formal authorization document issued by the FAA to an operator that defines the approved methods, limitations, and conditions under which specific maintenance activities and equipment may be used. In the EFB context, an MSpec authorizes an operator (typically Part 121 or 135) to use an Electronic Flight Bag in place of paper materials, specifying which devices, software, and procedures are approved.
Plain English
An official FAA permission slip that tells an operator exactly how they're allowed to use a piece of equipment or carry out maintenance. For EFBs, it spells out which tablets and apps the operator can use instead of paper charts and manuals.
Context Anchor
Seen in Electronic Flight Bag discussions when an operator must show that equipment, software, or related aircraft systems are maintained and controlled properly.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures EFBs and related systems remain reliable and legally usable, avoiding equipment failures or regulatory violations during flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read an MSpec as the maintenance work itself. It is the written standard that tells people what maintenance must be done and how it must be tracked.
Example Sentence 1
Before loading the new charting app on the company iPads, the chief pilot confirmed it was listed in the operator's MSpec.
Example Sentence 2
Before flight, the pilot confirmed the EFB was maintained according to the current MSpec.