AFS-15-3540-E

January 5, 2016 

 Exemption No. 14219

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-1949

Mr. Rick Sharpe, Jr.

Director

Ricks Aviation Inc.

507 Rustic Lane

Friendswood, TX 77546

Dear Mr. Sharpe:

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 April 14, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Ricks Aviation Inc. (Ricks Aviation) for an exemption from §§ 91.9(a) and 

91.531(a)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), to allow Ricks 

Aviation to train, test and authorize pilots to fly the Cessna Citation (CE-500 series) aircraft 

without a pilot who is designated as second in command (SIC).

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 Ricks Aviation.

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. 6480L (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found that in light of the past operating experience of Citation airplanes certificated under 14 
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CFR part 23, an exemption with appropriate conditions and limitations would not have an 

adverse effect on safety in operations of Citation airplanes certificated under 14 CFR part 25.

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. 6480L;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 6480L

also apply to the situation you present; and 

 for the reasons stated in Grant of Exemption No. 6480L, a grant of exemption is in the

public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Ricks Aviation Inc. (Ricks Aviation) an 

exemption from §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR), to the extent necessary to allow Ricks Aviation to train, test and authorize pilots to 

fly the Cessna Citation (CE-500 series) aircraft without a pilot who is designated as second in 

command (SIC), subject to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations

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

and 560 airplanes who have successfully completed Ricks Aviation’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

requirements only if Ricks Aviation’s single-pilot training program receives and 

maintains approval from the FAA’s General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS800, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. 20591. This can be obtained

via e-mail (9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov). For questions concerning training 

program approval contact the General Aviation and Commercial Division, AFS-800 at 

(202-267-1100).

3. This exemption only applies to operations conducted under part 91.

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

must—

a. Successfully complete Ricks Aviation’s 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 training under Ricks Aviation’s CE-500 single-pilot 

curriculum;
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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), Second in Command (SIC), or both, in turbinepowered 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

g. Use a fully functioning three axis autopilot capable of approach coupling

installed in the airplane.

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

must include––

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

instructor employed by Ricks Aviation (designated in accordance Rick 

Aviation’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 series airplane given by an 

instructor employed by Ricks Aviation (designated in accordance with Ricks

Aviation’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;
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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.

6. The instruction required in condition/limitation No. 5b 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. Landing from a circling approach; and

ix. 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.

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

exemption must––
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a. Satisfactorily complete Ricks Aviation’s 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 10 days of completing the training; and

ii. Under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA inspector, Pilot 

Proficiency Examiner (PPE) or Training Center Evaluator (TCE) who is 

qualified and authorized to conduct either § 61.58 proficiency checks or 

type rating practical tests in CE-500 series flight simulators or airplanes, 

as appropriate.

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, except as provided in condition/limitation No. 9; 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 shall result in failure of the proficiency 

check.

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

simulator that is qualified for the circling approach task.

9. Until the circling approach task has been satisfactorily demonstrated to an FAA 

inspector or FAA-designated examiner in an airplane or in a simulator that is qualified 

and approved for the circling approach task––

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 visual flight rules.

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

model 500, 550, S550, 552, or 560 airplane must complete Ricks Aviation’s singlepilot differences training course to obtain a single-pilot authorization for a different 

Cessna Citation model.

11. All flight training conducted in accordance with this exemption conducted in a CE500 series airplane must be given by a flight instructor employed by Ricks Aviation

who also meets the requirements of condition/limitation No. 4(a), (b), and (c) of this 

exemption.

12. An applicant seeking to obtain a single-pilot authorization must satisfactorily complete 

ground and flight training through Rick Aviation’s FAA-approved single-pilot training 
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course and must 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.

13. Ricks Aviation must provide AFS-800 with a copy of the most current course 

curriculum used to satisfy the exemption training requirements. This must include 

listing the prerequisites for training specified for pilot certificates, ratings, and

previous experience as described in this exemption.

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.

15. Successful completion of the practical test used in the single-pilot initial authorization 

and authorization renewal training program identified in condition/limitation No. 5 

satisfies the requirements for a PIC proficiency check required by § 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;

b. A flight director system;

c. A boom microphone; and

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

17. Ricks Aviation must provide a copy of this exemption to each person who is 

authorized to operate under this exemption. Each person who successfully completes 

the training and proficiency check identified in condition/limitation No. 7 must have 

their pilot logbook endorsed by the Ricks Aviation instructor administering the 

training, using the following endorsement:

“I certify that (first name, MI, last name) has successfully completed 

the CE-500 single-pilot curriculum identified in Exemption No. xxxxx, 

as amended.”

/s/ [date] J. J. Jones 987654321CFI Exp. 03-31-12

18. Ricks Aviation may not transfer this exemption when or if ownership or lease of the 

airplane is relinquished. 

19. Each person must carry a copy of this exemption and a record from Ricks Aviation

documenting compliance with its training and checking requirements aboard the 

airplane when operating under the terms of the exemption.

20. 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.
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21. Upon request, Ricks Aviation must provide any representative of the FAA 

Administrator with an analysis of the training and checking operations conducted 

under this exemption to include program failure rates, extra training time required, 

accident and incident data, and any known problem areas.

22. Ricks Aviation 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(a), 142.73(c)(1), 142.73(e), and—

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

in Ricks Aviation’s training courses;

b. The name and number of additional training hours needed by those applicants 

who require more flight training than prescribed in the FAA-approved training 

course to pass the initial authorization or authorization renewal;

c. A list of those pilots who failed to complete the training program satisfactorily 

or withdrew from the program and the reasons for the withdrawal; and

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

operate under this exemption.

23. 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.

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

This exemption terminates on January 31, 2018 unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosure

Exemption No. 6480L