AFS-12-244-E March 29, 2012 Exemption No. 5651L Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-11498

Mr. Mike Rhodes

Chief Test Pilot Air Tractor, Inc.

P.O. Box 485 Olney, TX 76374

Dear Mr. Rhodes:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend and amend Exemption No. 5651, as amended. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effects, and lists the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated February 13, 2012, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Adm inistration (FAA) on behalf of Air Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor), fo r an extension of and amendment to Exemption No. 5651, as amended. That exemption from § 61.31(a)(1) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows Air Tractor and pilots of Air Tractor AT-802 and AT-802A airplanes to operate those airplanes without holding a type rating, although the maximum gross weight of the airplanes exceeds 12,500 pounds. The amendment you request would add the Air Tractor AT-1002/1002A type to the list of aircraft operated under this exemption.

Additionally, you requested to extend your exemption for 5 years because of the time it takes to process administrative requests. The FAA, however, finds it in the best interest of safety to review this exemption every 2 years. This allows us to ensure that there has been no change in circumstances or regulations from which the exemption is granted.

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 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 Air Tractor.

Our Decision

The FAA has determ ined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 5651, 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. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the conditions and

limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption is applicable only to Air Tractor Models AT-802, AT-802A, AT1002, and AT-1002A that operate under a restricted category airworthiness certificate.

2. The manufacturer shall develop and maintain a training manual that includes the aircraft systems, performance, and handling characteristics.

3. Except as provided in Condition No. 5, prior to operations under this exemption, the pilot must have successfully completed ground instruction on the systems performance and handling characteristics of the AT-802/802A or AT-1002/1002A. A record of this instruction must be made available by the pilot upon request by the Administrator.

4. The person authorized to give instruction under this exemption must meet the following minimum qualifications:

a. Be authorized by Air Tractor to give this instruction;

b. Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate; and

c. Meet the following experience requirements:

i. 500 hours of flight time in turbine-powered agricultural type airplanes;

or

ii. 1,000 hours of flight time in agricultural type airplanes which includes at least 100 hours of flight time in an AT-502 or AT-802/802A.

5. Pilots who have logged at least 100 hours of flight time, with at least 10 hours in the preceding 12 calendar months, in an Air Tractor AT-502 need not complete the training requirements of Condition No. 3. A record of this flight time must be made available by the pilot upon request by the Administrator.3

6. A copy of this exemption must either be incorporated into the FAA-approved flight manual or carried on the airplane while operating under this exemption.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the term ination date of Exemption No. 5651, as amended, to April 30, 2014, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. This letter must be attached to, and is a part of, Exemption No. 5651.

Sincerely,

/s/ Raymond Towles Acting Director, Flight Standards

Service