01/27/201 0 17:0 1 FA X 202493514 2 FA A* DM S 2)001/01 2

UMITE D STATE S O F AMBRTC A DiiPARTMEN T O F TRANSPORTATIO N FEDERA L AVIATIO N ADMLNlSTRATTO N WASfflNGTON , D,C . I N TH E MATTE RO F VENTUR A AI RSERVICES , INC . FAA Docke t

No . CP08EA000 8 (Civi l Penall y Action ) DM S NO , FAA-2008-050 5

COMPLAINANT S BRIEF I N REPL Y T O REPONDEN r S APPEA L BRET

F COME S NO W th e Complainant , th e Federal Aviatio n Admimstration , b y an dihroug h it s designate dan dauthorize drepresentative , th e Regiona l Counse l for th e Easter n Region , an dhi s designate dsm

dauthorize drepresentatives, pursuan t t o th e Rule s o f

Practic e i n FA A Civi l Penalty Action s (herei n th e "Rules") * 1 4 C.F.R . Sectio n 13.20 1 etseg. , to file thi s brie f i n repl y t o abrie f submitte db y Responden t

in support

o f it s appeal . Jj i hi s Septembe r

24 , 200 9 initia l dcci.sion . Administrativ e La w Judg e ("ALJ" ) Isaac Benki n foun dtha t

Responden t

violate d1 4 C.RR . §135.293(1 ) an d(4)-(8) ^ whe n i t use dapilo t

S 135-29 3 Initia l an d reoux-ren t pilo t tastin g requireniesnts . (a ) fl o certificHtt t huldc r ma yu.s e A pilot , no r ma yanyperso n serv e a a a pilot , unless , sinc e th e beginnin g o f th e 12t h calenda r mont h bafor o tha t service , tha t pilot ha s passe d a writte n o r ora l test , give n b yth e Administrato r o r a n authorize d chec k pilot , o n tha t pilot' s knowledg e i n th e followin g area.') — (1 ) Thft appropriat e provision s o f part. s 61 , 91 , an d 13 5 o f thi.= 5 chapr.ci : an d th Q operation s iipecification s an d th e manua l o f th e certifiest o holder ; (2 ) fo r eac h typ e o f aircraf t t o b e flow n b yth e pilot , th e aircraf t powerplant , majo r aomponeht s an d systems , majo r appliances , performanc e an d operar.in

g limitations , standar d an d emergen^^ yoperatin g procedures} , an d th e content s o f th e approve d Aircri^f t Fligh t Manua l o r equivalent , a s applicablo ; (3 ) t'o r eac h typ e a £ aircraf t t o b e flow n b yth e pilor, , th e metho d o f determinin g complianc e wit h weigh t an d balanc e limitation s fo r takeoff , landin g

TOOi a ZM3H3M3 1 CSOiCiZfT B Tf dfl'-S aOTOZ/flZ/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 1 FA X 202493514 2 FA A • * DM S @1002/01 2

o n thre e flights i n Apri l 200 6 whe n tha t pilo t had no t

passe d th e require d knowledg e test . Th e ALJ mad e n o finding a s t o 1 4 CJ-'-R . §91.13(a)^ . Althoug h Complainan t sough t acivi l penalty o f $15,000 , th e AL J assesse d a$ 1 civi l penalty. ^

I Backgroun d In th e Complaint , a s amended , Complainan t allege d that ; 1 . Ventur aAi r

Services , liic . i s th e holde r o f Ai t Carrie r

Certificat e No . APMA212C . 2 . O n o r

abou t Apri l 1 , 2006 , Ventur aAi r Services , Inc . operate d aircraii l identificatio n numbe r N125P T a s Fligh t

38 7 unde r

Part 13 5 betwee n Washington , D C an d Atlanti c City , Ne w Jersey . 3 . On o r

abou t Apri l 2 , 2006 , Ventur aAi r Sei-vices , Inc . operate d aircraf t identificatio n numbe r N125P T a s Fligh t

38 7 unde r

Par t 13 5 betwee n Atlanti c City , Ne w Jerse y an d "Washington , DC .

an d e n rout e operations ; (4 ) Navigatio n an d us e o f ai r navigatio n aid s appropriat e t o th e operatio n o r pilo t authorization , including , whe n applicable , instrumen t approac h facilitie s an d procedures ; (5 ) Ai r traffi c contro l procedures , includin g TF Rprocedure s when applicable ; (6 ) Meteorolog y i n general , includin g th e principle s o f fronta l ^Jysteiiis . icing , fog , thunderstorms , an d wind."5hfiar , and , i f appropriat e fo r

th e operatio n o f

th e certificat e holder , hig h altitud e weather ; (7 ) Procedure s for

- (i ) Recognizin g an d avoidin g sever e weathe r situations ; (ii ) Escapin g fro msever e weathe r situations , i n cas e o f inadverten t encounter."; , includin g low-altitud e windshea r (cxcepT . r.ha t rotororsxfi ; pilot s ar e not require d t o b e toste d o n escapin g fro mlow-altitud e windshaar) ; an d (iii ) Operatin g i n o r nea r thunderstorm s (includin g best penetratin g altitudes) , turbulen t aj. r (includin g clea r ai r turbulence) , icing , hail , an d othe r potentiall yhazardou s meteorologica l conditions ; an d (8 ) Ne w equipment , procedure?.'; , o v techniques , a s appropriate . S SI . 1 3 Careles s o r recJclee a opeiration . (a ) Alrcraif c operation s fo r th e purpos e o f ai r navlgacicn . M o perso n ma y operat e a n aircraft : i n a careles s o r reckles s manne r s o a s t o endange r th e lif e o r propert yo f another .

' O n Decembe r 18 , 2009 , Complainan t tile d it s brie f i n suppor t o f it s appeal ; Complainan t refer s t o tha t brie f fo r a discussio n o f th e ALJ' a finding s an d th e Complainant' s argumen t i n suppor t o f it s appeal . 

### 2

jooi a ZNaasAia i csoiCiJi'T e TV J M:S O OTO2/9S/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 1 FA X 202493514 2 FA A * DM S @]003/01 2

4 . O n o r

abou t Apri l 13 , 2006 , VenturaAi r Services , Inc . operate daircraf t identificatio n numbe r

N855P T a s Fligh t

39 6 under

Par t 13 5 betwee n Fort Lauderdale , i'lorid aan dFarmingdale , Ne w York . 5 . O n eac h o f

th e flight s describe dabove , Ventur aAi r Services , Inc . use dapilot , Nichola s Tarascio , under Par t 135 , althougli , sinc e th e beginnin g o f th e I2i h calenda r month befor

e that service , tha t

pilo t ha dno t passe dawritte n o r

oral tesi » give n b y th e Administrato r

o r an authorize dchec k

pilot , o n th e pilot' s knowledg e o f specifie dareas . 6 . I n usin g apilo t

whos e qualification s o r

competenc y coul dno t

b e ascertained , on flights under

Par t 135 , Ventur aAi r

Services , Inc . operate dth e arcraf t describe d abov e i n acareles s manner , endangerin g th e live s o r property o f

others . Complainan t

further allege dthat

Responden t

violate d1 4 C.F. R§§135.293(a ) an d 91.13(a) . Complainan t

propose dacivi l penalt

y o f $ 15,00 0

I n Respondent' s Answe r

to th e Complaint , Respondent : Admitte dparagraph s 1 throug h 4 ;

• Admitte di n paragrap h 5 that i t use dapilot , Nichola s Tarascio , unde r Part 135 , bu t denie dth e remainder ;

• Denie dparagrap h 6 ;

• Denie dviolatin g th e Federa l Aviatio n Regulations . •

COOi aZNHHHMH l C«0iCiJtT 6 XVdSt^S O OTOJ/flJ/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 1 FA X 202493514 2 FA A • * DM S @1004/01 2

I T Issue s 1 . Whethe r

th e ALJ' s finding ther e wa s aviolatio n o f 1 4 C.F. R§§135.293(a)(l ) an d(4)-(8 ) i s supporte dby , an di n accordanc e with , th e reliable , probative , an dsubstantia l evidenc e containe di n th e record ? 2 . Whethe r

th e A U correctl y admitte dth e testimon y o f th e FAA' s exper t

witness ?

i n Argumen t 1

- "lli c AU' S finding ther e was aviolatio n o f 1 4 C.F. R66135.293ra¥ n and(4)-(i \i s supporte dby . an di n accordanc e with , th e reliable , probative , an dsubstantia l evidenc e containe d i n th e record . I n hi s writte n initia l decision, , th e AI J correctl y foun dthat Responden t

violate d1 4 C.F. R §§135.293(a)(l ) an d(4H8 ) whe n Responden t use dapilo t

a s second-in-comman d(STC ) o n thre e flight s i n Apri l 200 6 uiic n tha t pilo t ha dno t passe dth e require dknowledg e test , Decisio n a t 13 . Specifically , Responden t

violate d1 4 C.F. R§§135.293(a)(l ) an d(4)-(8 ) becaus e i t ha duse da pilo t althoug h sinc e th e beginnin g o f th e l2t h calenda

r mont h before tha

t service , that

pilo t ha d no t passe dawritte n o r

ora l test , give n b y th e Administrato r o r a n authorize dchec k

piloi^ , o n that pilot' s knowledg e i n certai n prescribe dareas . I n support o f hi s decision , th e AL

J mad e th e followin g finding s an dobservations ; I n February 2005 , Responden t wa s a n applican t

under 1 4 C.F.R . Part

13 5 conductin g provin g tests , an dwa s goin g to us e Nichola s Tarasci o a s apilo t in provin g tests . Decisio n a t 3 , not e 2 . O n Februar y 3 , 2005 , Mr . Tarasci o complete da1 4 C.F.R . sectio n 135.293(a ) an d(b ) test . Decisio n at 3 . A FA A Form8410- 3 date dFebruar y 3 , 200 5 documente dth e completio n o f th e tes t

t-OOi a2N3y3MH l C80iCiZH 6 XV dST : S O OTOJ/fiZ/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A * DM S @005/01 2

(fc'xhibi t C-1) . Mr . Tarasci o the n complete danothe r tes t i n Marc h 2005 , Decisio n at 4 . However , Responden t

faile dt o ensur e that

al l testin g hadbee n conducte di n Marc h 2005 , specificall y a s prescribe db y 1 4 C.F.R . §135.293(a)(I ) an d(4)-(8) . Decisio n a t 4-5 . Althoug h testin g may hav e bee n accomplishe dwith respec t t o 1 4 C.F.R . §135.293(a)(2)-(3) , Mr . Tarascio' s 1 4 C.F.R . §135-293(a)(I ) an d(4)-(8 ) tes t wa s no t accomplishe di n Marc h 2005 , an dwas not accomplishe dfi-omFcbtnar y 3 , 200 5 unti l May 8 , 2006 , o r abou t amonth qfler

th e flights ii

x question . Decisio n a

t 3-5 . 1 4 C.l-.R . § 135.293(a ) i s no t voi dfor vaauencss . Resi>onden

t raise s for th e first tim e o n appea l it s assertio n tha t 1 4 C.F.R . § 135.293(a ) i s voi dfor vagueness . Under

th e vaguenes s doctrine , alaw o r regolatio n tha t

doe s not fairl y infor

m an ordinary perso n o f

what i s commande do r

prohibite do r

whic h encourage s arbitrary an d discriminatory enforcemen t i s unconstitutiona l an dviolativ e o f du e process . I n th e Matte r o f American Airiines . FA

A Orde r No . 1999- 1 a t

8 (1999) . Whe n evaluatin g avoi dfo r vaguenes s challeng e t o aregulation , acour t wil l requir e onl y areasonabl e degre e o f certainly , Jin

dwil l deman dles s precisio n for aregulatio n governin g business , rathe r tha n Firs t

Amendment , activities , Throckmorto n v . Nationa l Transportatio n Safet y Board , 96 3 F.2 d441 , 44 5 (D.C . Cir . 1992 V I n th e Matte r

o f Tran aState s Airiines . Inc. . FAA Order No . 2005- 2 a t

9- ] 0 (2005) . Th e regulaioi y requirement s ar e clear . Under 1 4 C.F.R . § 135.293(a) , acertificat e holde r may not us e apilo t

unles s sinc e th e beginnin g o f th e 12t h calendar

month before tha t

service , that pilo t ha s passe dawritte n o r ora l tes t o n thai pilot' s knowledge . Complianc e with thi s requiremen t

i s modifie dunde r

1 4 C.F.R . § 135.301(a ) - i f acrewmcmbe r

wh o i s require dt o tak e

fiOOiaZMHH3M3 1 C^OLCLZfJ ^ XV J fit;SO 0T03/9Z/T 001/27/201 0 17:0 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A • » DM S 0006/01 2

arequire dles t

o r fligh t check , complete s th e tes t o r fligh t chec k i n th e calendar

month befor

e o r afte r th e calendar

month i n whic h i t

i s required , that

crewraembc r

i s considere dt o hav e complete dth e tes t

o r chec k i n th e calendar

mont h in whic h i t

i s required . Th e violatio n occurre di n Apri l 200 6 whe n Responden t use da n unqualifie dpilot . T o determin e whethe r

ther e wa s complianc e wit h 1 4 C.F. R§U5.293(a) , on e neede dt o loo k bac k firomApri l 200 6 t o findwhethe r sinc e th e beginnin g oF th e 12t h calendar

month before tha t service , tha

t pilo t ha dpasse dawritte n o r ora l tes t o n tha t pilot' s knowledg e - tha t woul db e Apri l 2005 . However , considerin g th e Apri l 200 6 flights to b e witlii n th e "grace " mont h uiidei

1 4 CF.R . §135.30 1 (a) , the n th e lookbac k perio dgoe s t o Marc h 2005 . A s discusse dabove , Mr . Tarasci o ha da s o f

Marc h 200 5 onl y passe daknowledg e tes t i n 1 4 C.F. R§13S.293(a)(2)-(3) , no t 1 4 C.F. R§ 135.293(a)(1 ) an d(4)-(8) . A t th e hearing , Responden t attempte dt o convinc e th e ALJ tha t i t wa s confijsin g to determin e whethe r

o r no t Mr . Tarasci o ha dpasse dacomplet e 1 4 C.F'. R§ 135.293(a ) knowledg e tes t sinc e Marc h 200 5 before bein g use di n servic e i n Apri l 2006 . Responden t sowe dconfiisio n b y attemptin g t o lin k

th e Marc h 200 5 tes t

witl i a n earlie r tes t in February 2005 . I

n support o f it s defens e an dit s argumen t

o n appeal . Responden t

point s no t

t o th e regulatio n at

issue , bu t

t o FAA guidance . I n February 2005 , Responden t wa s an applican t

unde r 1 4 C.F.R , par

t 13 5 EUi dwa s conductin g provin g tests . Responden t was goin g t o us e Mr . Tarasci o a- i apilo t i n provin g tests . Any provin g tes t

o r flight usin g Mr . Tarasci o coul dno t hav e bee n conducte dproperl y unles s conducte dunde r

th e requirement s o f

1 4 C.F.R , par t

135 , an dunles s Mr , Tarasci o ha dcomplete d th e appropriat e initial o r

recuncn t trainin g phas e o f

th e trainin g programappropriat e t o th e typ e

90oig ) ZManaMa i csoicizi'T e T H sf-e o OTOZ/8Z/I O01/27/201 0 17:0 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A • > DM S 0007/01 2

o f operatio n i n whic h h e wa s t o serv e sinc e th e begimiin g o f th e 12*' ' calenda

r month befor e tha

t service.' ' Thi s woul dimpl y tha t

at leas t initia l trainin g ha dbee n complete db y Februar y 3 , 2005 . O n tha t dat e Mr . Tarasci o complete da1 4 C.F.R . §l35.293(a ) an d(b ) test . Ir . 414:10-16 . Se e Exhibi t C-1 , whic h i s acomplete dtes t for mdate dFebruar

y 3 , 2005 . A tes t

woul dno t

hav e bee n give n unles s al l trainin g wa s completed . Respondent' s trainin g programprovide s that a qualificatio n segmen t

(i.e . testin g o r

checking ) i s no t

t o b e entere dint o unles s all trainin g i s completed . Tr . 410:21-411:7 ; 417:17-418:5 . Respondent' s iramin g manua l (Exhib U R-9 ) provide s tha t

th e checkin g qualificatio n modul e i s complete dwhe n th e pilo t passes tli e writte n an dora l test s unde r

1 4 C.F. R§135.293(a ) an d(b) . However , i t als o provide s tha t

th e prerequi.site fo

r enrollmen t

in tha t modul e i s tha t

th e pilo t

mus t hav e complete dal l th e curriculu msegment s a s liste dfo r th e initia l ne w hir e curriculum . Tr . 431:4-14 . A s aresult , thi s means that

whe n Mr . Tarasci o too k th e checkin g qualificatio n modul e an dcomplete di t i n Februar y 2005 , h e mus t

hav e complete dth e initia l ne w hir e cturiculu mi n February 2005 . Tr , 432:3-10 . A s aresul t

o f initia l trainin g bein g complete di n February 2005 , the n recurren t trainin g wa s complete di n Marc h 2005 . Thi s i s als o supporte db y th e record . Responden t

proffere darespons e fro mFA A chie f counse l l o areques t

Iro mResponden t fo r alegal interpretatio n (Exhibi t R-7) . However , th e premis e se t fort h b y Respondent' s counse l

^ Unde r 1 4 C.F.R . § 119.33 , "al l provin g rests mus t b e conducte dunde r

tli e appropriat e operatin g an dmainienanc c requirement s o f

par t 12 1 o r 13 5 o f thi s chapte r

that woul dappl y i f

th e applican t

wer e full y certificated. " Further , unde r 1 4 C.F.R . §135.1(aX7) , 14C,P,R . part 13 5 "prescribe s rule s governing...[e]ac h persaxi wii o i s a n applican t

fo r a n Ai r Carrie r Certificat e o r

a n Operatin g Certificat e ur>de r 11 9 oPthi s chapter , whe

n conductin g provin g tests. " Unde r 1 4 CF.R . §135.34.1 , "n o certificat e holde r ma y xise aperson , no r

may any perso n serve , a s ar-rcwmernbe r i n operation s unde r

thi s par t unles s tha t

crtwmcmbe r

ha s complete dth e appropriat e initial o r recurren t trainin g phas e o f

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fo r tha t interpretatio n wa s that

apilo t ha dcomplete dinitia l trainin g i n Februar y 2005 , alon g with a1 4 C.F.R . §135.29 3 airme n competenc y check ; an dcomplete drecurren t trainin g i n Marc h 2005 , a s require dby 1 4 C.F.R . §§135.29 3 and135.297 . Further , Respondent' s EHrecto r o f Operation s Goul dRyde r asserte di n a n .affidavii Supportin g Respondent' s Dismissa l Motion (file dbefor e th e hearing ) tha t initia l (rainin g '^va

s complete di n Februar y 2005 , an drecurren t trainin g wa s complete di n Marc h 2005 . Tr . 415:11

- 23 . T n Apri l 200 5 th e FA A ha dput Responden t

o n notic e tha i th e facilit y conductin g th e Marc h 200 5 trainin g an dtestin g wa s no t qualifie dto d o s o unde r

1 4 C.F.R . § 135.293(a)(1 ) an d (4)-(8) . Exhibi t

C-4 . Ther e i s n o disput e that thi s notic e wa s receive db y Respondent , an dther e i s n o evidenc e establishin g tha t Responden t

questione dth e FAA' s Apri l 200 5 notic e i n 200 5 o r i n 2006 , whe n th e violation s wer e discovered . Indeed , i n May 200 6 Responden t hadMr . Tarasci o b e teste dan dunderg o "requalification " a s aresul t o f Mr . Tarasci o havin g bee n unqualified . Se e exhibi t

C-2 , p . 2 , an dTr . 76:2-19 . Ther e i s n o evidenc e tha t Responden t

i n 200 6 challenge dth e nee dfor requalification . Mr . Tarascio' s 1 4 C.F.R . § 135.293(a)(1 ) an d(4)-(8 ) tes t wa s no t accomplishe di n Marc h 2005 , an dwa s not

accomplishe dfro mFebruary 3 , 200 5 unti l May 8 , 2006 , o r abou t \ i mont h after th e flight s i n question . Respondent' s ow n record s demonstrat e th e accomplishmen t o f th e knowledg e test s o n thos e date s (se c Exhibi t C-1) , andals o demonstrat e tha t Responden t

was trackin g th e statu s o f

whe n thes e test s wer e accomplishe d(se c Exhibi t C-2) . O n th e first

pag e o f Exhibi t C-2 , Responden t

tracke dth e accomplishmen t o f Mr . Tarascio' s 1 4 C.F.R . §135,293(a)(l ) di e trainin n prosra mappropriat e t o th e typ e o f operatio n in whic h th e crcwmeinbe r i s t o seiv e sinc e tli e bce.innirif l o f th e 12* ' calendar

mont h befor e tha t

service.' ' 8

gOOi aZ>J3a3M3 T CfiOlCiEVT B IV £81:3 0 OTOJ/fiE/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A + DM S 0009/01 2

an d(4)-(8 ) test s o n thes e dale s - Decembe r 8 , 2004 ; Februaty 3 , 2005 ; an dMay 8 , 2006 . What i s remaricabl e i s tha t

Responden t

di dno t recor dMarc h 2005 . A s Responden t

wa s havin g Mr . Tarasci o b e trained , an dtested , for provin g Tun,s , an dlater for aircraf t difference s trainin g (se e Exhibi t C-1) , an dals o trackin g hi s testin g statu s (se c Hxhibi i C-2) , i t i s disingenuou s fo r

Responden t

t o no w maintai n tha t

i t was no t fairl y informe dtha t

Mr . Tarasci o wa s require dsinc e th e beginnin g o f th e 12t h calenda r mont h before aservic e t o hav e ha dpasse dawritte n o r

ora l tes t o n hi s knowledge , Indeed , h e hadtake n suc h test s before , an d th e les t i n Marc h 200 5 was inadequat e i n tha t i t onl y covere dtli c aircraft-specifi c subject s unde r 1 4 C.F,R , §135.293(a)(2)-(3 ) that h e experience da s par t

o f aircraf t difference s training . Th e Agency' s publishe dguidanc e doe s no t provid e for

testin g t o b e complete di n alonge r timefram e tha

n that provide dby 1 4 CJ-\R . §135.293(a ) an d1 4 CF.R . §135.301(a) . Ther e i s n o provisio n in FAA Orde r 8400.10 , th e inspectors ' guidance , excusin g complianc e with th e regulatory requirement s o f 1 4 C.F.R . § 135.293(a) , Tha t guidanc e doe s not

provid e arelaxatio n o f th e regulatory testin g requirements . Further , ther e i s nothin g i n th e FA A chie f counsel' s interpretatio n whic h modifie s rcgtilator y requiremenls . Tha

t opinio n expressl y provide s that : " A erewmembe r

wh o ha s no t

complete dal l recurren t

trainin g o r

checkin g requirement s i n di e bas e month ma

y b e schedule dan dcontinu e t o serv e i n revenu e servic e durin g th e remainde r o f th e eligibility perio d(Lc , unti l th e en do f th e grac e month) , bu t

ma y not serv e afte

r tli e endo f

th e grac e month. " Exhibi t

R-7 , p . 2 . A s aresult , havm g passe dacomplet e 1 4 C.F.R . §135.293(a ) knowledg e tes t

i n February 2005 , Responden t coul dhav e lawfidl y use dMr . Tarasci o i n servic e throug h th e grac e month o f Marc h 2006 , but

not thereafter .

6002 1 ZK3HHM3 1 C60Z,Ci2t'T 6 XV i 9 1 = 2 0 OTOZ/dJ/T O01/27/201 0 17:0 2 FA X 202493514 2 FA A * DM S glOIO/01 2

Finally , th e recor ddoe s no t sho w Mr . Tarasci o wa s aperso n responsibl e withi n Responden t

Ventur aAi t

Services , inc . for

schedulin g trainin g an dtestin g event s fo r pilot s i n accordanc e with regulatory requirements . Mr . Tarascio' s testimon y simpl y contradicte dth e assertion s o f

Respondent' s Directo r

o f Operation s Goul dRyde r i n hi s alTidavil . N o on e els e fromth e compan y testified . Ther e i s n o evidenc e tha t Responden t

Ventur aAi r

Services , Inc . "read " th e variou s FA A guidanc e document s in amanne r tha t relaxe dregulatory requirement s o r tha t mad e th e regulatio n vague . A s aresult , 1 4 C.F.R . §13S.293(a ) fairly informe dResponden t o f what wa s commande d wit h areasonabl e degre e o f certainty , an ddi dnot

encourag e arbitrary an ddiscriminatory enforcement , an dthu s wa s not violativ e o f

du e process . 2 . Th e AL J correctl y admitte dth e testimon y o f th e FAA' s expert

witness . Unde r 1 4 C.F. R§ 13.22 2 (Evidence) , a"party i s entitle dto presen t th e party' s cas e o r defens e b y oral , docimxentaiy , o r demonstrativ e evidence , t o submi t rebutta l evidence , an dt o conduc t an y cross-examinatio n that

may b e require dfor

afiill an dtru e disclosur e o f th e facts. " Further , a"party ma y introduc e any oral , documentary , o r demonstrativ e evidenc e i n sujjpor t o f th e party' s cas e o r

defense . Th e administrativ e la w judg e shal l admi t an y oral , docimicntary , o r demonstrativ e evidenc e introduce db y apart y bu t shal l cxchid c irtclcvant , immaterial , o r imduly repetitiou s evidence. " ITi c AL J stated , with respec t t o exper t witnesse s fo

r th e FAA , Michae l Sees , andfor Respondent , Richar dPeck : "Wel l Mr . Sees , I wan t t o than k yo u for comin g al l thi s v,ra

y an d hyin g t o hel p us . A s I tol dMr . Peck , ih o reaso n wh y I a mher ai s tha

t T reall y wante dl o hea r 1 0

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fro myou peopl e becaus e I regar dth e expert testimon y a s th e clu e t o solvin g thi s riddl e o r at leas t puttin g thi s riddl e t o bed , s o than k yo u ver y much . You hav e bee n agreat help... " Tr , 500:4-12 . Mr . Sees ' testimon y wa s properl y admitte da s i t wa s relevant , matertEiI, , an dno t undul y repetitious , an dassiste dth e AL T t o understan dth e evidenc e an dt o determin e th e fact s i n issue . Se e Rul e 70 2 o f

th e Federa l Rule s o f

Evidence . Moreover , eve n i n a n analysi s o f th e fact s withou t

respec t t o any exper t

opinio n testimony , th e regulatory requiremen t for Responden t

was clear . Ther e was n o evidenc e that Responden t

wa s confiise db y th e regulator y requiremen t

that , i n itsin g Mr . Tarasci o i n service , Mr . Tarasci o wa s t o hav e passe dawritte n o r ora l test , give n b y tli e Administrato r o r an authorize dchec k

pilot , o n hi s knowledg e i n certai n prescribe dareas ; an dtha t Mr . Tarasci o was t o hav e passe dthat

knowledg e tes t

som e tim e sinc e th e beginnin g o f th o 12t h calendar

mont h before tha t

service . Respondent' s confusin g presentatio n abou t amodular

approac h t o trainin g wa s irrelevan t

t o th e issu e o f

whethe r Mr . Tarasci o timel y passe daknowledg e test , an dwa s merel y a n e x pos t fact o rationalizatio n tha t ha dn o foundatio n i n th e wa y tha t Responden t behaved , contemporaneou s wit h th e event s a t

issue , i n carryin g ou t

it s regulatory responsibilitie s a s acertificate dai r

carrier .

1 1

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WHEREFORE , th e Complainan t respectfull y request s tha i that Respondent' s appeal b e dismisse dk i it s entiret

y an dtha t

th e Administrato r

orde r Responden t

violate d1 4 CF.R . §§91.13(a ) an d135.293(1 ) an d(4)-(8) , an dasses s $15,00 0 asacivi l penalty . Respectfull y submitted , ALRE D R . JOHNSON , JR . Regiona l Counse l iristja n L Attorne y Tel : 718,553 . Fax; 718.995.569 9 CERTinCAT E O F SRRVIC K I hereb y certif

y that o n thi s dat e copie s o f

th e Repl y Brie f

wer e sent

by Federa l Expres s t o th e following : FA A Decisionmake r Hearin g Docke t Federal Aviatio n Administratio n 60 0 Independenc e Avenue , S.W . Washington , D.C . 2059 1 Attn : Hearin g Docke t

Clerk , AGC-43 0 Wilbu r Wrigh t Buildin g - Suit e 2W100 0 Tel ; 202.385.825 3 Fax : 202.493.502 0 Gregoty Winion , Esq . Aviatio n T.a

w Experts , LL C I Researc h Court , Suit e 45 0 Rockville , M D 2085 0 Tel : 301.294.855 0 Fax : 301.294.252 5 

# l^^^:to/ o msua n Lewc n Attorne y 1 2

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