AFS-13-388-E

January 12, 2015 

 Exemption No. 11144

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2013-0471

Mr. Jayson S. Wilson

Vice President Flight Operations

AAR Airlift

2301 Commerce Park Drive

Palm Bay, FL 32905

Dear Mr. Jayson:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated April 26, 2013, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of AAR Airlift (AARA) for an exemption from § 91.9(a) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to allow AARA to operate Sikorsky S-92A 

(S-92A) helicopters with limited exposure to engine failure during takeoff and landing while 

carrying up to 19 passengers between land-based facilities in austere environments during day, 

night, visual flight rules, and instrument flight rules.

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

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to AARA.

The FAA has issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in most respects to those 

presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 10507 (copy enclosed), the FAA found 

that operations to offshore facilities present a unique operating environment that requires 

special consideration in operations, training, and standardization, but also recognized there 

may be very short periods of time during takeoff and landing in which a safe forced landing 
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may not be possible due to environmental or other factors. Notwithstanding, the FAA 

concluded those petitioners’ proposed operational controls were consistent with those in 

OpSpec H100 and was in the public interest because the use of the S-92A provides its 

passengers with safe transportation, while maintaining an efficient transportation system to 

and from elevated helidecks.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 they are similar in most respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant of 

Exemption No. 10507. The sole significant difference is that operations will be conducted 

by AARA from land based helicopter landing sites, in austere environments, at or near 

limiting density altitudes and weights above which the helicopter may not be capable of 

climbing at 150 feet per minute when at 1000 feet above terrain;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 10507

also apply to the situation you present; and 

 a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106, 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant AAR Airlift an exemption from 

14 CFR § 91.9(a) to the extent necessary to allow AARA to operate its Sikorsky S-92A (S92A) helicopters with limited exposure to engine failure during takeoff and landing while 

carrying up to 19 passengers between land-based facilities in austere environments during day, 

night, visual flight rules, and instrument flight rules, subject to the conditions and limitations

described below.

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption is limited to operations conducted in AARA’s S-92A helicopters.

2. This exemption is limited to operations conducted between land-based facilities in 

austere environments.

3. This exemption is not valid for operations in foreign airspace without the prior 

authorization of the Civil Aviation Authority with jurisdiction over that airspace.

4. AARA must make available and provide access, upon request by the FAA, to its 

engine reliability historical data for the S-92As in its fleet in order to provide ongoing 

surveillance of engine reliability.

5. Performance computations for the approach and departure profiles must demonstrate 

the planned “Performance Class 2 with limited exposure to engine failure” profile will 

not result in an exceedence of the International Civil Aviation Organization standard 

of 9 seconds of exposure to an unscheduled touchdown due to engine failure.
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6. Operations will not be conducted unless (at the current aircraft weight, pressure 

altitude, and temperature), performance planning conducted in the S-92A Rotorcraft 

Flight Manual, ensures the ability to climb 150 feet per minute at 1,000 feet above the 

takeoff surface with one engine inoperative and the remaining engine at maximum 

continuous one-engine inoperative (OEI) power. 

7. AARA must, in addition to other routine preflight computations, comply with the 

procedures cited in the S-92A Rotorcraft Flight Manual, Part 2, Section III, 

Supplemental Performance Data, page III-1-50, contained in the paragraphs titled 

“Elevated Helideck Takeoff and Landing –Limited Exposure – (At Figure 3-22 

WAT)” and the paragraph following titled “Vertical Takeoff – Elevated Helideck.” 

8. Operations under the provisions of this exemption must be flown by two pilot crews 

that are qualified and current in the operation of the S-92A.

9. AARA’s approved training program must include provisions for training of 

appropriate crews on the profiles associated with a Performance Class 2 with limited 

exposure takeoff and arrival, including performance planning. AARA must document 

the conduct and completion of that training for appropriate flight crewmembers.

10. Proficiency in the use of the profiles described in Condition No. 9 must be 

demonstrated satisfactorily by flight crew members prior to application of these 

profiles and thereafter during recurrent evaluations required by §§ 135.293 or 135.299.

11. AARA must establish parameters for takeoff and arrival at land based helicopter 

landing facilities for its flight data monitoring program and provide ongoing 

surveillance of those operations.

12. AARA must advise all S-92A flight crewmembers of the provisions of this exemption, 

and document that notification.

A copy of this exemption must be carried onboard each S-92A utilizing these provisions.

This exemption terminates on February 02, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service