I feel a thread drift coming on....
The saying that "if it is not in the MEL then it is a NO GO item" is not strictly accurate.
though it is if you want to stay legal and not invalidate the CofA and insurance.
Lots of things not in the MEL/CDL but are still considered ok if inop/missing.
EG, brake wear pin.
Deferred under an AMM reference not the MEL/CDL (At least, it is on many of the types I know)
