# FALCO N

AVIATION ACADEMY

Dear Sir or Madam,

My name is William C. Ellerbee. I'm the Chief Flight Instructor at Falcon Aviation Academy in Newnan, Georgia. Our main campus and business office is located at 95 East Aviation Way, Newnan, GA. 30263. We also operate two satellite bases located at 5 Falcon Dr., Peachtree City, GA. 30269, and 1040 Ben Epps, Dr., Athens, GA.30605 respectively. All of our locations are FAA part 141 approved and approved under the Civil Aviation Administration of China, CCAR-141. Our Newnan, GA. facility is also a CATS testing facility.

Petition for exemution to 14 CFR Part 61.35(a)(2) and 14 CFR Part 61.156(b)(1) In accordance with Title 14 CFR, part 11.61(b), Falcon Aviation Academy, LLC, holder of Part 141 Air Agency Certificate U4PS758K is petitioning for exemption from 14 CFR Part 61.35(a)(2). 14 CFR Part 61.35(a)(2) states that "After July 31, 2014, for the knowledge test for an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating, a graduation certificate for the airline transport pilot certification training program specified in 61.156" 14 CFR 61.156(b)(1) states that "At least 6 hours of training in a Level C or higher full flight simulator qualified under part 60 of this chapter that represents a multiengine turbine airplane with a maximum takeoff weight of 40,000 pounds or greater."

Extent of relief and reason for exemption Falcon Aviation Academy is seeking relief from the "max. takeoff weight of 40,000 pounds or greater" required by 14 CFR 61.159(b)(1) and the subsequent graduation certificate required by 61.35(a)(2) for our Chinese airline pilot cadets. The exemption is only requested for Falcon Aviation Academy Chinese program students, and only requested at the Falcon Aviation Academy CATS testing facility located at our main base in Newnan, GA. The students enrolled in the Falcon Aviation Academy China program are Chinese national, airline cadets, completing flight training in U.S. Upon completion of the course of training, they return to China, complete a conversion of their U.S. pilot certificates and airline initial training. Upon completion of initial airline training in China, they serve as an observer for several months, eventually moving into a first officer position. At any one time Falcon Aviation Academy provides training for up to 165 Chinese students. These students complete 6 months of extensive English training, 80 hours of Private Pilot ASEL ground, 65 hours of Private Pilot ASEL flight, 40 hours of Instrument ground, 45 hours of instrument flight, 40 hours commercial AMEL ground, 120 hours of commercial AMEL flight, 40 hours ATP ground, 132 hours of high performance aircraft ground training, 10 Pilot flying /10 hours Pilot not flying in a king air 200 level D simulator, and 10 Pilot flying in a king air 90 prior to graduating our program. All programs are completed under FAA 141 regulations. The king air 200 Level D simulator is representative of a multiengine turbine aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds. These student receive training well in excess of 14 CFR 61.156 except for the maximum takeoff weight.

Falcon Aviation Academy, 95 East Aviation Way, Newnan. GA 30263

Phone: 770-486-5561, Fax: 770-304-3695

www.faa-air.com info@falconaviationacademy.com

# FLcO'N

f1viATION fACADEMY

How this Repuest will benefit the public as a whole Falcon Aviation Academy is a small business that employs over 110 people. The Chinese program students have a considerable impact on the local economies and surrounding communities. Falcon Aviation Academy rents local apartments for student housing, uses local food vendors for student lunches, student uniforms are provided by a local uniform shop, and health insurance is from a local insurance provider. Fuel sales at the local FBO are at an all-time high. Chinese students, on average spend $2,000 -$5,000 for shopping and entertainment during their time at Falcon Aviation Academy. Falcon Aviation Academy is one of several U.S. flight schools approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of China, to train Chinese pilots. Combined these school train approximately 2,623 Chinese student per year. The training these students complete has a direct impact on the U.S. economy. I would estimate the impact to be about 262.3 million dollars annually. Due to the recent change in the ATP written requirements, the CAAC is not approving additional flight schools in the U.S. There's a potential for the CAAC to redirect future students to approved schools in Canada, Australia, or France.

Reason why the exemption would not affect safety or provides safety at least epual to existing rule The exemption would not affect safety as it a request for a reduction in max takeoff weight for a simulated airplane, in order to take a written exam there would be no flight involved. The exemption is requested only for Chinese nationals, which have graduated from the FAA/CAAC approved ATP and high performance training program at Falcon Aviation Academy, which by far exceed the requirements of 14 CFR 61.156, other than max takeoff weight. This exemption is only requested for the FAA CATS testing facility at Falcon Aviation Academy, Newnan, GA. The Chinese students will not seek an FAA ATP airman certificate, they only need to pass the written exam. The request is for exemption to take the written exam only.

Summary Falcon Aviation Academy, a FAA 141 and CAAC 141 approved flight training provider in Georgia, is seeking exemption from 14 CFR Part 61.35(a)(2) and 14 CFR Part 61.156(b)(1) We are seeking exemption from the maximum takeoff weight of 40,000 pounds or greater as required by14 CFR 61.156(b)(1) and the subsequent requirement of a graduation certificate required by 14 CFI 61.35(a)(2), stating the applicant meets the requirements of 61.156, only for Falcon Aviation Academy Chinese national, airline pilot cadets that have graduated our FAA 141/CAAC 141 ATP and High Performance program. This exemption is only requested for the CATS testing facility at Falcon Aviation Academy, Newnan, GA.

Respectfully,

William C. Ellerbee Chief Flight Instructor Falcon Aviation Academy (770)486-5561 ext. 214

Falcon Aviation Academy, 95 East Aviation Way, Newnan. GA 30263 Phone: 770-486-5561, Fax: 770-304-3695

www.faa-air.com info@falconaviationacademy.com