### ErinB. Marston 4109 TazlinaAvenue Anchorage, Alaska 99517 (907) 242-9901
November 7, 2015

CERTIFIED MAIL- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. Kerry B. 

### Long Federal AviationAdministration Alaska Region 222 West 7th 

### Avenue, #

### 14 Anchorage, Alaska 99513
U.S. Department ofTransportation Docket Operations, M-30 West Building ground floor, Room W12-140 1200NewJersey Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590
Re: Iditarod Air Force- Request for extension ofExemptionNo. 9810

Dear Mr. Long:
I am writing on behalf of the Iditarod Air Force to request a two year extension of ExemptionNo. 9810 whichthe Iditarod AirForce has been operating under for over seven years. Please accept this letter as a request on behalf ofthe IAF and on behalf ofthe Iditarod Trail Committee to extend Exemption No. 9810 (Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2008-1246) for an additional two years, until April 30, 2018. I have been designated the representative of the Iditarod Air Force ("IAF") relating to the exemption and would appreciate receiving future correspondence concerning this matter. Pursuant to 14 CFR Part 11, and in particular 14 CFR § 

### 11.81, I am providing the FAA with the following information. I am also providing a copy of the February 25, 2014 letter granting anextension ofthe exemptionuntil April30, 2016. (a) Your name and mailing address and, ifyou wish, other contact information such as a fax number, telephone number, or e-mail address. Erin B. Marston 4109 Tazlina AvenueMr. Kerry B. Long & U.S. Department ofTransportation Page 2 of4 November 7, 2015 Anchorage, Alaska 99517 (907) 248-4954 (907) 242-9901 marston@alaska.net
(b) The specific section or sections of14 CFRfrom whichyou seek an exemption. 14 CFR § 61.113(a) and 14 CFR § 119.21(a)(l). (c) The extent ofreliefyou seek, and thereasonyou seektherelief. We seek the same terms and conditions as stated in Exemption No. 9810, excepting that we request the expiration date be extended to April 30, 2018. The reasons are also the same as set out in our November 6, 2008 and January 7, 2009 petition, and at pages 1-5 ofthe FAA's Exemption No. 9810. An extension is appropriate as the Iditarod Air Force has continued to operate in compliance with the exemption and has established a history of safe operations and excellent cooperationwiththe FAA. (d) The reasons why granting your request would be in the public interest; that is, how itwouldbenefitthe public as a whole. The reasons why granting the extension would be in the public's interest are the same as stated by the FAA at pages 4-5 ofits Exemption No. 9810. We agree with the FAA's analysis, and nothing has changed factually that would in turn alter that analysis. Rather than repeat that analysis, a copy ofExemptionNo. 9810 is attached hereto. (e) The reasons why grantingthe exemptionwould not adversely affect safety, or how the exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule from whichyou seekthe exemption. Here too, the IAF continues to agree with the analysis set forth by the FAA, at pages 4-5 ofExemption No. 9810, regarding the IAF's operations being at least as safe (and in the IAF's mind, far safer) than operations would be withoutthe exemption. Nothing has changed factually in this respect, either, that would alter that analysis. In fact, the last seven years ofhistory has demonstrated the overall safe operations that have been accomplished under the IAF's policies and procedures in conjunctionwiththe FAA guidance. (f) A summarywe can publish in the FederalRegister, stating: (1) The rule from whichyou seekthe exemption; and (2) A briefdescription ofthe nature ofthe exemptionyou seek.Mr. Kerry B. Long & U.S. Department ofTransportation Page 3 of4 November 7, 2015
"A two year extension of Exemption No. 9810 is sought by the lditarod Trail Committee and the 'IditarodAirForce' asto 14 CFR61.113(a) and 14 CFR 119.21(a)(1), for the Iditarod 

### Air Force to continue flying support under 14 CFR Part 91 for the 1,100 mile Iditarod dog race in Alaska. Exemptions have been granted for the 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 races. The exemption would permit the volunteer pilots to continue accepting gas, oil, insurance, food and minimal housing during the race, including the pre- and post-race staging efforts." 

### (g) Any additional information, views or arguments available to support your request. The prior petition and Exemption set forth the information, views, and arguments in support ofthe Exemption. The seven year history ofcompliance bythe IAF with the conditions and terms ofthe Exemption, including the February 28, 2010 deadline to submit IAF operational control procedures, the October 30, 2010 deadline to submit a flight training program, the October 30, 2011 deadline for submittal of a letter of compliance and the October 30, 2011 deadline for a general operations manual, all reflect positively on the IAF's ability to operate professionally and safely. The IAF has an excellent working relationship with its principle operations inspectors, as well as the rest ofthe regional FAA. Granting a two year extension to the exemption will allow the IAF to continue its safe operations, with the oversight of its principle operations inspector. The Iditarod, the "Last Great Race" is a professionally operated long distance sled dog race that attracts dogteams from around theworld. Runthroughthe vast expanses ofAlaska, the logistics ofthe race require air support, support that the IAF provides. Costs associated with operation ofthe IAF, including fuel and insurance are one ofthe major expenses ofthe race. In order to budget for these costs, and to insure that air support will be available, the IAF and the Iditarod Trail Committee needs the stability ofan extension ofat least two years that will allow the race to make long termplans and budgeting decisions relating to air support. This stability is crucial to the survival ofthe race. (h) If

### you want to exercise the privileges ofyour exemption outside the United States, the reasonwhyyou need to do so. No, the IAF does notwishto exercisethe privileges ofthe exemption outside theU.S. Thank you. I welcome yourcalls, as well as those from anyone else atthe FAA. Verytruly yours,

# 8;._6.H.~ ErinB. MarstonMr. Kerry B. Long & U.S. Department ofTransportation Page 4 of4 November7, 2015

Enclosure

cc: Mr. ClintWease (AlaskaRegion, Flight Standards DivisionManager) (w/encl.) Mr. KenA. Thomas (Anchorage FSDO Manager) (w/encl.) Mr. Howard Martin (FAARegional Counsel) (w/encl.) Mr. StanHooley (Executive Director, lditarod Trail Committee) (w/encl.) Mr. BertHanson (ChiefPilot, lditarodAirForce) (w/encl.)