AFS-15-464-E

April 29, 2015

 Exemption No. 7487M

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2000-8527

Mr. Clayton Guess

Training Center Manager

SimCom Training Centers

6989 Lee Vista Boulevard

Orlando, Florida 32822

Dear Mr. Guess:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 7487, 

as amended. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions 

and limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated January 29, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of SimCom Training Centers (SimComTC) to extend Exemption No. 7487, as 

amended. That exemption, from §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR), allows SimComTC to train and check pilots (under its 14 CFR 

142 training center certificate, V6IX042K) of certain Cessna Citation aircraft covered by the 

CE-500 type rating to operate those airplanes with a single pilot, rather than with two as 

required by their type certificate data sheets.

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.

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 SimComTC.
2

Our Decision

The FAA has amended the conditions and limitations of Exemption No. 7487, as amended, in 

order to clarify our original intent and standardize the relief with similarly granted 

exemptions. While the relief does not change substantially, all users of the exemption should 

thoroughly review the revised conditions and limitations.

Condition/Limitation No. 8 has been amended to require an applicant seeking to obtain or 

renew a single-pilot authorization under this exemption to satisfactorily complete a 

proficiency check within 30 days rather than the initially required 10 days.

The FAA has deleted previous Condition/Limitation Nos. 17 and 18 as they are redundant and 

not pertinent to SimComTC. This deletion has resulted in previous Condition/Limitation Nos. 

19, 20, 21, and 22 to become Condition/Limitation Nos. 17, 18, 19, and 20, respectively.

Condition/Limitation No. 21 was added to match similar granted exemptions and to ensure 

that pilots operating under this exemption do so only in aircraft configured for operation by a 

single pilot seated in the left pilot seat. 

Condition/Limitation No. 22 was also added to match similar granted exemptions and to 

ensure the approved training course authorized by this exemption may not be conducted under 

any business name other than SimCom Training Centers.

Lastly, we have added Condition/Limitation No. 23 which limits this exemption to operations 

within the United States. If SimComTC (or any pilot authorized for single-pilot operation by 

SimComTC) wishes to be able to operate under this exemption outside the United States, it 

must make a request to the FAA in accordance with requirements of 14 CFR § 11.83.

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance and extension of Exemption 

No. 7487, 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. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, 

which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant SimCom Training Centers 

an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1) and (2) to allow it to train, test, and 

approve pilots (under its 14 CFR 142 training center certificate, V6IX042K) to operate certain 

Cessna CE-500 series aircraft without a pilot who is designated as SIC, subject to the 

following conditions and limitations.
3

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption applies to pilots operating Cessna Citation model 500, 550, S550, 552, 

and 560 airplanes who have successfully completed SimComTC’s approved singlepilot authorization course and complied with all of the terms of this exemption.

2. This exemption is effective for the conduct of the required training and checking only 

if SimComTC’s CE-500 single-pilot training program receives and maintains approval 

under part 142 from the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that has 

jurisdictional authority over the SimComTC’s part 142 training center certificate.

3. This exemption is effective only if it is listed in SimComTC’s training specifications, 

paragraph A005.

4. Any flight operated using the privileges of this exemption may be conducted under 

part 91 only.

5. Each pilot conducting single-pilot operations under the terms of this exemption 

must—

a. Complete SimComTC’s FAA-approved part 142 CE-500 single-pilot 

curriculum before conducting such operations;

b. Hold an airline transport pilot certificate with a CE-500 type rating or a 

commercial pilot certificate with an airplane instrument rating and CE-500 type

rating before entering SimComTC’s part 142 CE-500 single-pilot curriculum;

c. Have logged at least 1,000 hours of total pilot flight time, including at least 50 

hours of night flight time; 75 hours of instrument flight time, 40 hours of 

which are in actual instrument meteorological conditions; and 500 hours as 

pilot in command (PIC), SIC, or both, in turbine-powered airplanes;

d. Not perform any circling instrument approaches to minimums of less than 200 

feet and 1 mile above the published minimums until after completing 100 

hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 series airplanes; 

e. Not perform any straight-in instrument approaches to minimums of less than 

100 feet and one-half statute mile visibility above the published minimums 

until after completing 100 hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 

series airplanes;

f. Use a boom microphone; and
4

g. Use a fully functioning autopilot that is controllable about three axes and 

capable of approach coupling.

6. The CE-500 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal curriculum 

must include––

a. Ground instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a 

SimComTC’s part 142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimComTC’s 

approved procedures) that covers at least the following aeronautical knowledge 

areas:

i. Safe and efficient operation of airplanes;

ii. Weight and balance computations;

iii. Use of performance charts;

iv. Significance and effects of exceeding airplane performance limitations;

v. Principles and functions of airplane systems;

vi. Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations; and

vii. Night and high-altitude operations.

b. Flight instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a SimComTC’s 

part 142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimComTC’s approved 

procedures) that covers at least the following areas of operation:

i. Preflight preparation;

ii. Preflight inspection and procedures;

iii. Taxiing;

iv. Normal and crosswind takeoffs and departures;

v. In-flight maneuvers including configuration changes, approaches to 

stalls, and steep turns;

vi. Simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure if accomplished 

in a flight simulator);

vii. Instrument procedures;

viii. Precision and nonprecision approaches;

ix. Missed approaches;

x. Landings and approaches to landings;

xi. Normal and crosswind landings;

xii. Landing with a simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure 

if accomplished in a flight simulator);

xiii. Normal and abnormal procedures;

xiv. Emergency procedures; and

xv. Post-flight procedures.
5

7. The instruction required in Condition No. 6b may be completed in an approved flight 

simulator, qualified as––

a. A Level A or B flight simulator, provided the applicant satisfactorily 

accomplishes as part of the training program the following in-flight maneuvers 

and procedures as sole manipulator of the controls in a CE-500 series airplane:

i. Exterior preflight inspection;

ii. Taxiing;

iii. Normal and crosswind takeoffs (minimum of three);

iv. Normal and crosswind approaches and landings (minimum of three);

v. Landing from a precision approach;

vi. Missed approach; 

vii. Approach and landing with a simulated powerplant failure;

viii. Normal approach and landing;

ix. Landing from a circling approach; and

x. Landing from a no flap or nonstandard flap approach.

b. A Level C or D flight simulator provided the applicant has performed at least 

three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop as the sole manipulator of the 

flight controls in the CE-500 series airplane within the preceding 90 days.

8. An applicant seeking to obtain or renew a single-pilot authorization under this 

exemption must––

a. Satisfactorily complete SimComTC’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum;

b. Satisfactorily complete the curriculum’s required qualification module, 

consisting of a stand-alone proficiency check in either a CE-500 series 

airplane, an appropriately qualified and approved flight simulator, or a 

combination thereof;

c. Satisfactorily complete this proficiency check—

i. Within 30 days of completing the training; and

ii. Under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA inspector training 

center evaluator (TCE) who is qualified and authorized to conduct 

either § 61.58 proficiency checks or type rating practical tests in CE500 series flight simulators or airplanes, as appropriate.
6

d. Satisfactorily complete all tasks listed in the Airline Transport Pilot and 

Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards that are required for an initial 

CE-500 type rating; and

e. Satisfactorily perform all maneuvers and procedures as a single pilot during the 

entire proficiency check. Training to proficiency during the check is not 

permitted, and failure of any maneuver will result in failure of the proficiency 

check.

9. Until the circling approach task has been satisfactorily demonstrated in an airplane 

or in a simulator qualified for the circling approach task to an FAA inspector or FAAdesignated examiner––

a. The applicant’s records will be annotated with the statement, “Demonstration 

of circling approach was not accomplished”; and 

b. The applicant must not perform circling approaches as the PIC when weather 

conditions are less than the weather minimums for basic visual flight rules.

10. The circling approach requirement must be accomplished in an airplane or in a 

simulator that is qualified and approved in SimComTC’s training specifications for the 

circling approach task

11. A person who previously has received a single-pilot authorization in a Cessna Citation 

model 500, 550, S550, 552, or 560 airplane must complete SimComTC’s FAAapproved part 142 single-pilot differences training course to obtain a single-pilot 

authorization for a different Cessna Citation model.

12. All flight training conducted in accordance with this exemption must be given by a 

flight instructor employed by SimComTC who also meets the requirements of 

Condition/Limitation Nos. 5(a), (b), and (c) of this exemption.

13. A person seeking to obtain a single-pilot authorization must satisfactorily complete 

ground and flight training through SimComTC’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum and must also receive training on the differences between the Cessna 

Citation model represented by the simulator used for training and checking and the 

Cessna Citation model for which single-pilot authorization is requested.

14. A single-pilot authorization will be valid for 12 calendar months. A person who 

renews a single-pilot authorization in the calendar month before or after the calendar 

month in which it is due is considered to have renewed the single-pilot authorization 

when due.
7

15. Successful completion of the proficiency check used in SimComTC’s FAA-approved 

part 142 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal training program 

identified in Condition/Limitation No. 8 satisfies the requirements of the PIC 

proficiency check required by 14 CFR § 61.58.

16. Each CE-500 series airplane operated under this exemption must have the following 

equipment installed and operational:

a. An autopilot with approach coupling capability;

b. A flight director system;

c. A boom microphone; and

d. A transponder “ident” switch on the pilot’s control wheel.

17. Each person must carry a copy of this exemption and a record from SimComTC 

documenting compliance with its training and checking conditions aboard the airplane 

when he or she is operating under the terms of this exemption.

18. Upon request, SimComTC must provide any representative of the FAA Administrator 

with an analysis of training and checking operations conducted under this exemption 

with respect to program failure rates, extra training time required, accident and 

incident data, and any known problem areas.

19. SimComTC must maintain records and make them available, when requested, to any 

representative of the FAA Administrator. These records must include all information 

required by § 142.73 and—

a. The dates of training enrollment and completion for each trainee who enrolls in 

a SimComTC single pilot curriculum;

b. The name and number of additional training hours needed by any person who

requires more flight training than prescribed in the FAA-approved curriculum 

in order to pass the initial authorization or authorization renewal;

c. The name of each pilot who failed to complete a Cessna CE-500 single pilot 

curriculum satisfactorily or withdrew from the course and the reason(s) for 

withdrawal; and

d. The name, certificate number, and address of each person who is authorized to 

operate under this exemption.

20. No person may provide training nor may any person receive training while passengers 

are aboard any aircraft operating for the purpose of meeting the training or checking 

requirements of this exemption.
8

21. This exemption is valid only for aircraft configured for operation by a single pilot 

seated in the left pilot seat. The privileges of this exemption are prohibited for any 

aircraft with the landing gear lever positioned anywhere to the right of the center of the 

aircraft.

22. The approved training curriculum authorized by this exemption may not be conducted 

under any business name other than SimCom Training Centers.

23. This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 7487, as amended, to April 30, 

2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

//s//

John Barbagallo

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosure[s]