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 Administra tion (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 manua l 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, and2

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; and3

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