AFS-13-070-E 

February 08, 2013 

 Exemption No. 10699 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-1189 

Mr. Doug A. Lee 

Northrup Grumman 

4067 Enterprise Way 

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 

Dear Mr. Lee: 

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 November 14, 2012 and the November 30, 2012 supplemental information, 

you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Northrup Grumman. 

(Northrup), for an exemption from § 91.203 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR). That exemption, if granted, would allow Northrop to operate two unmanned 

aircraft systems (UAS) and have its flight manual and experimental certificate to reside with 

the ground control station operator [pilot], and continue operation of its UAS temporarily 

following the incidental loss or mutilation of those aircraft’s experimental certificate or 

registration certificate or both. 

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 Northrup. 

The FAA has issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 8607 (copies enclosed), the FAA 

found that it is unnecessary to carry and display the airworthiness, certification, and 
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registration and flight manual documents onboard the aircraft for the operation described by 

the petitioner. The original intent of the subject regulations was to display the airworthiness 

and registration documents so they would be easily available to the FAA inspectors and 

passengers. Additionally, the FAA requires aircraft to carry the flight manual so the pilot 

would have ready access to the aircraft limitations while in flight. In this case, theaircraft will 

always be operated without passengers or crew and the ground control station serves as the 

cockpit where the pilot and FAA inspectors will have access to these documents. 

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

 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No. 8607 ; 

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 8607 

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. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator 

has delegated to me, I hereby grant Northrup Grumman., an exemption from 

14 CFR §§ 91.9(b)(2) and 91.203(a) and (b) to the extent necessary to allow Northrup to 

operate two UASs (N4788S and N4789S) that do not carry and display onboard the aircraft’s 

airworthiness, certification, and registration and flight manual documents required under 

part 91, subject to the conditions and limitations described below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. The documents required under §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the pilot in 

command of the UAS anytime the aircraft is operating; 

2. Those documents required under §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be made available within 

10 days to any FAA, U.S. Department of Defense, or law enforcement official; and 
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3. This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States. 

This exemption terminates on February 28, 2015, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

Michael J. Zenkovich 

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards 

 Service 

Enclosure