AFS-14-303-E 

July 24, 2014 

 Exemption No. 7353G 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-12009 

Mr. Patrick R. Rizzi 

Counsel for Chautauqua 

Hogan Lovells US, LLP 

555 Thirteenth Street, NW 

Washington, DC 20004 

Dear Mr. Rizzi: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption 

No. 7353, as amended. It explains the basis for our decision and describes its effect, and lists 

the conditions and limitations. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated May 29, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. (Chautauqua), for an extension of Exemption No. 7353, as 

amended. That exemption from § 121.434(c)(1)(ii) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

allows Chautauqua to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA 

training inspector to observe a qualifying pilot in command (PIC) who is completing initial or 

upgrade training specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff 

and a landing. 

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption. 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Chautauqua. 
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Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 7353, as 

amended, remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. 

Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113, and 44701, which the 

FAA Administrator has delegated to me, Chautauqua Airlines, Inc. is granted an extension to 

its exemption from 14 CFR 121.434(c)(1)(ii), which allows Chautauqua to substitute a 

qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA training inspector to observe a 

qualifying pilot in command (PIC) who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in 

§ 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing, subject to the 

following conditions and limitations. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. A Chautauqua check airman or aircrew program designee may conduct a PIC 

observation in place of an FAA inspector when— 

a. The Administrator preapproves that substitution for each observation of a 

qualifying PIC candidate, thus reserving first right of refusal to the FAA in 

each case. Chautauqua, therefore, must contact an appropriate FAA office in 

each instance before substituting that check airman or aircrew program 

designee. 

b. The qualifying PIC candidate has completed no less than 10 hours of 

supervised operating experience (OE) and accomplished no fewer than two 

takeoffs and landings; and 

c. The qualifying PIC candidate is performing PIC duties during a complete 

flight leg, including flightdeck preparation, before starting engines checklist, 

takeoff, all other flight phases, landing, taxi, and securing checklist. 

2. Each Chautauqua check airman or aircrew program designee conducting a PIC 

observation in place of an FAA inspector must— 

a. Be approved by the Administrator to conduct the observation; 

b. Have served as check airman or aircrew designee for Chautauqua for no less 

than 6 months; and 

c. Not supervise the OE or conduct the initial line check for the qualifying PIC 

candidate being observed. 
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3. Chautauqua must maintain student, check airman, and aircrew program designee 

records that demonstrate compliance with the conditions and limitations of this 

exemption. 

This exemption terminates on September 30, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John Barbagallo 

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service