AFS-16-14143-E December 2, 2016

Exemption No. 11125B Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2014-0980

Mr. Joseph R. Batten Director of Operations National Air Cargo Group, Inc. 5955 TG Lee Blvd, Suite 500 Orlando, FL 32822

Dear Mr. Batten:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 11125, as amended. 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 September 7, 2016, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of National Air Cargo Group, Inc. (National Airlines) for an extension of Exemption No. 11125, as amended. That exemption from §§ 91.9(a), 91.1025(a), 121.135(a)(4),121.135(b)(21), and 121.141 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows National Airlines to not apply th e forward emergency-landing load factor of 9G specified in § 25.561(b)(3)(ii) for restraint of cargo on the main deck of Boeing 747 series airplanes. It applies only to all-cargo flights originating in Afghanistan for transport of cargo for the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). The FAA’s determination for granting Exemption No. 11125 was based on the limited risk exposure of the DoD Afghanistan retrograde mission coupled with the importance of the mission as it related to U.S. National Security.

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.2

The FAA’s Analysis

The petitioner is seeking an extension to its current exemption in order to continue to provide support to the U.S. DoD’s mission. The FAA’s analysis indicates that there has been no change in the original conditions and reasons relative to public interest and safety for the Boeing 747 cargo airplane when carrying tall rigid cargo. The petitioner has provided no data to show that the occupants would be afforded the same level of safety during a crash landing if the proposed lower landing loads were employed. The two restraining methods called for in the Boeing Weight & Balance (W&B) Manual meet the requirements in §§ 25.561 and 25.787; however, these may not be the only acceptable methods. The FAA recognizes that methods can be developed that are both practical and economically viable and will consider proposals for changes to the Boeing 747 W&B Manual for other methods, provided that sufficient substantiating data is included with each proposal. As noted by the petitioner, granting of this extension to the exemption would allow National Airlines to continue to carry cargo under contract of the U.S. DoD to rem ove cargo from Afghanistan to support U.S.

National interests.

Our Decision

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 National Airlines.

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 11125, 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, I grant National Air Cargo Group, Inc. (National Airlines) an exemption from 14 CF R §§ 91.9(a), 91.1025(a), 121.135(a)(4),121.135(b)(21), and 121.141 that allows National Airlines to not apply the forward emergency-landing load factor of 9G specified in § 25.561(b)(3)(ii) for restraint of cargo on the main deck of Boeing 747 series airplanes, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption applies only to all-cargo flights originating in Afghanistan for the transport of cargo for the United States Depa rtment of Defense, including all flight segments to reach the intended final destination, provided the cargo or method to secure the cargo is not altered or changed prior to reaching the final destination.

2. All cargo must be secured for all flight loads as required by 14 CFR § 25, subpart C. This exemption provides no relief from 14 CFR § 25, subpart C, flight loads.3

3. The flight crew must carry a copy of this exemption on all flights operated under this exemption.

The Effect of Our Decision

This exemption terminates on December 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service