03/01/2010 12:55 8163294106 SAD PAGE 02/04 

SJbechttaf t Hawhar Baaehcraft Corporation 

P.O. Box 95 

Wichite, Kansas 

67201-0085 USA 

In Reply Refer to: 940-2010-00684 

13 Action 

February 16,2010 

n Info Only 

FAA Project No.: AT5075WI-A 

Cert. Project No.: 390-22 

Federal Aviation Administration 

Kim Smith, Manager 

Small Airplane Directorate 

Kansas City, Missouri 

Subject; Request for an Exemption to 14 CFR §23.783(f)(l), Amendment 23-49 

Reference: (1) HBC Letter, dated July 23, 2008, letter 940-2008-05320, Submittal of Certification Plan 

392E283,'582, Revision 1 

(2) HBC Letter, dated August 25, 2008, letter 940-2009-07531, Submittal of Certification Plan 

392E283582, Revision 2 

Dear Ms. Smith: 

This letter is a request for an Exemption to 14 CFR §23.783(f)(I) for the Model 390-2. The regulation 14 

CFR §23.783(f)(l) states "(0 I" addition, for commuter category airplanes, the following requirements 

apply: 

(I) Each pa;ssenger entry door must qualify as a floor level emergency exit. This exit must have a rectangular 

opening of not less than 24 inches wide by 48 inches high, with comer radii not greater than one-third the 

width of the exit." 

HBC is requesting relief from compliance to 14 CFR §23.783(f)(l) as amended by Amendment 23-49. 

Enclosed is Hawker Beechcraft Corporation's petition for exemption. 

If you have questions or concerns please contact Vickie Goff at 316 676-6927. 

Sincerely, 

HAWKER BEECHCRAFT CORPORATION 

I David Bemstorf, Vice President 

Safety and Certification 

DB/veg 

Amched; HBC Petition for Exemption 
03/01/2010 12:55 81&3294106 SAD PAGE 03/04 

Attachment to letter 940-2010-00684 

Page 1 of 2 

Petition for Exemption 

Requestor: Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 

9709 East Central 

P.O. Box 85 

Wichita, KS 67201-0085, USA 

Subject: Compliance Relief from 14 CFR 23.783(f)(1) for Passenger Entry Door 

Project: Hawker Beechcraft, Model 390-2, FAA Project No. AT5075WI-A 

References: 1) HBC Letter, dated July 23, 2008, letter 940-2008-05320, Submittal of Certification 

Plan 392E283582, Rev 1 

2) HBC Letter, dated August 25, 2009, letter 940-2009-07531, Submittal of 

Certification Plan 392E283582, Rev 2 

Issue: Exemption from 14 CFR 23.783(f)(1) Amendment 23-49 

Summary: 

14 CFR 23.783(f)(1) states: 

"(f) In addition, for commuter category airplanes, the following requirements apply: 

(1) Each passenger entry door must qualify as a floor level emergency exit. This exit must have a rectangular 

opening of not less than 24 inches wide by 48 inches high, with comer radii not greater than one-third the 

width of the exit." 

HBC is requesting relief from compliance to 14 CFR 23.783(f)(T) as amended by Amendment 23-49. 

Hawl^er Beechcraft Corporation (HBC) requests an exemption for the Model 390-2, FAA Project Number 

AT5075WI-A, with respect to the minimum exit opening of the floor level entry door specified in 14 CFR 

$23.783(f)(t) of the certification basis. The Model 390-2 entry door has basic dimensions and an opening 

area greater than that defined by the minimum dimensions required by 14 CFR §23.783{f)( 1). However, 

there are several localized protrusions into the minimum width opening of the door caused by door 

locking/latching components. HBC will conduct an egress test (through cabin door) per 14 CFR §23.803(a). 

HBC proposes that the protrusion within the passenger door entry opening width of 24 inches will not affect 

the emergency evacuation of the maximum number of occupants. 

Reason for Relief Sought: 

Application for an amended Type Certificate has been made for the Model 390-2, The Model 390-2 is a 6 

passenger commuter category aircraft intended to be operated for business and corporate travel. The design 

of the door has not changed from the original Model 390 design and no new protrusions are being introduced 

into the door opening area. Although this new derivative model is being certified in the commuter category, 

the number of passengers for which it is being certified (2 crew and 6 passengers) is not changing from the 

original Model 390 certification. The Model 390-2 entry door has basic dimensions greater than the 

minimum required by 14 CFR §23.783(f)(1). The total area of the Model 390-2 cabin door opening minus the 

area occupied by localized projections is greater than the area inscribed by the minimum dimensions defmed 

by 14 CFR §23.783(f)(1), however, the minimum width dimension cannot be met due to the protrusions. 

Public Interest: 

Compliance to 14 CFR $23.783(f)(l) would have no mea-surablc improvement on safety. All 

owners/operators will be trained regarding the operation of the passenger emergency exit. The training must 

be acceptable to the FAA ACQ, Passenger briefing cards will be on board to explain the operation of the exit. 

Occupancy of the airplane is restricted to maximum 2 crew seats and 6 passenger seats. In accordance with 
03/01/2010 12:55 8163294106 SAD PAGE 04/04 

Attachment to letter 940-2010-00684 

Page 2 of 2 

14 CFR §23.803(a), an evacuation demonstration through the cabin door will be conducted utilizing the 

maximum number of occupants defined in the TCDS for the Model 390. 

Effects on Safety: 

HBC believes that there will be no increased effect on safety by complying with minimum width. The Model 

390-2 has an increased gross weight over the original Model 390 but the seating capacity, cabin and door 

dimensions remain the same as the Model 390. Service history has been reviewed and no issues have been 

shown with the cabin door evacuation due to the protrusions for the Model 390 in any accidents/incidents 

where egress was demonstrated. 

Based on original certification of the Model 390 and service history, the passenger entry door certification 

should remain valid for certification of the Model 390-2. 

Petition summary: 

In accordance with CFR §21.21(b)(1), HBC requests an exemption to the requirements outlined above for the 

Hawker Beechcraft Model 390-2. 

The Model 390-2 entry door has basic dimensions greater than the minimum required by 14 CFR 

§23.783(f)(l). The total area of the Model 390-2 cabin door opening minus the area occupied by localized 

projections is greater than the minimum area required by 14 CFR §23.783(f)( I), however, the minimum width 

dimension cannot be met at discrete points due to the protrusions. 

HBC will conduct an egress test per 14 CFR §23.803. The egress test will demonstrate the 390-2 Entry Way 

dimensions provide enough open area as to allow safe exit of the airplane. Service history has been reviewed 

and no issues have been shown with the cabin door evacuation due to the protnisions for the Model 390 in 

any accidents/incidents where egress was demonstrated, 

HBC proposes that an exemption be based on the Model 390-2 entry door's basic dimensions and open area 

in excess of the minimum required by 14 CFR §23.783(f)(l) and on the successful demonstration of egress.