Date:g/21/201 1 Exemptio n No : 1004 0 fro m 1 4 CF R (FA R Section ) - Part : 135.20 3 (a)(1 ) wil l expir e o n 3/31/2012 . I fappropriate , pleas e submi t you rreques t t o exten d thi s exemptio n (Includin g th e docke tnumbe rFAA-2003-1610S ) withi n 3 0 day s o f th e dat e o fthi s notice . Otherwise , th e FA Ama yno t b e abl e t o proces s you rreques t fo rextensio n tjefor e th e expiratio n date . Yo u ma yerthe rsubmi tyou rreques t electronicall ythroug h th e interne t usin g th e Docke t Managemen t Syste m we b sit e at : http://Regulations.gov / o rmai l you rreques t to : U.S . Departmen t o fTransport , tio n Docke t Operations , M'3 0 Wes t Buildin g groun d floor , RoomW12-14 0 120 0 Ne wJerse yAvenue , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 X 

# $00,29 0 l O u 3 2 0 | 1 Maile d Fro m '>059 ^ u s POSTAG E evi' n R . Hoo f Directo ro fOperation s Ventur e Travel , LL C Db a Taqua n Ai r 40B 5 Tongas s Ketchikan , A K 9990 1

Submissio n t o othe rlocation s ma ydela yprocessing . An yreques t fo reKtenslo n mus t mee t th e requirement s o f1 4 CF R par t 11 . I fyo u hav e alread y requeste d a n extensio n fo rthi s exemptio n o rn o longe r nee d thi s exemption , pleas e ignor e thi s notice . /J./MM.iiJM//i.Mi>//,i,/n/ii;,J./,//n/M/.ii,/nM// /

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### Octobe r 25 , 201 1 U.S . Departmen to fTransportatio n Docke t Operations , M-3 0 

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r RoomW12-14 0 120 0 Ne wJerse yAvenue , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 RE ; Extensio n o fExemptio n No . 1004 0 fro m 1 4 CF R (FA R section ) - Part135.203(a)(1) . Docke t No . FAA-2003-1610 5 Dea rAdministrator , Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rrequest s a n extensio n o fExemptio n 1004 0 fro m Part 135.203(a)(1 ) o fTitl e 14 , CF R whic h allow s Ventur e Trave l LL C t o conduc t operation s unde r part 13 5 t o operat e seaplane s unde rvisua l fligh t rule s outsid e controlle d airspace , ove rwater , an d belo w50 0 fee tabov e th e surface . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rstate s tha t th e facts , conditions , circumstances , an d reason s remai n th e sam e a s presente d i n th e origina l exemptio n an d subsequen tpetition s fo r extension . Additionally , Ventur e Trave l LL C ha s operate d successfull yunde rthi s exemptio n sinc e th e dat e o fdecisio n byth e FAA . AMENDMENTS : T o Exennptio n 1004 0 Docke t No . FAA-2003-1610 5 Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rwoul d lik e t o ad d a n amendmen t fro m th e origina l issue d exemptio n unde r"Condition s an d Limitations" : 1 . Ventur e Trave l LL C mus tconduc t operation s unde rthi s exemption : (e ) Withi n U.S . airspac e define d bya lin e from : Chang e t o rea d th e followin g (i n correspondenc e wit h number s o n th e include d sectiona l chart) : Confinemen tt o th e are a o fTongas s Narrows , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o fClarenc e Strai t(souther n portion ) define d b ya lin e extendin g fro m (1 ) Kendric k Islan d (latitud e 54 * 5 3 N . longitud e 131 " 5 8 W ) t o (2 ) PercyIslan d (latitud e 54*5 5 N . longitud e 131 ' 3 5 W) , t o Clarenc e Strai t(norther n portion ) define d bya lin e extendin g fro m (3 ) Poin t Colpoy s (latitud e 56 ' 2 0 N . longitud e 133'1 1 W ) t o (4 ) Macnamar a Poin t (latitud e 56 ° 1 9 N . longitud e 133 " 0 3 W) , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(5 ) Whal e Passage , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(6 ) Lak e Bay , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(7 ) Thom e bay , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(8 ) Tolsto i bay , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(9 ) Kasaa n Bay , \ o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(10 ) Kart a Bay , t o Confinemen t\ o th e BT& a o f(11 ) Twelvemil e Arm , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(12 ) Skow l Arm , t o Confinemen tt o th e _ygQtureTrayel , LL

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5 Tongas s Avenu e VKetchikan , AK_99901__^ ^ f x www.taquanair.co m ~* " ~~^' "are a o f(13 ) Pol k Inlet , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(14 ) McKenzi e Inlet , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(15 ) CholmondeleySound , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f (16 ) Moir a Sound , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(17 ) Nichols Passage , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(18 ) Felic e Strait , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(19 ) Revillagiged o Channe l souther n portio n define d bya lin e extendin g fro m (20 ) Mar yIslan d Edg e Poin t (latitud e 55 ' 0 2 N . longitud e 131 ' 11W ) t o (21 ) Ka h Shake s Cov e (latitud e 55'0 2 N . longitud e 130*5 9 W) , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(22 ) Boc a d e Quadra , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(23 ) Eas t Beh m Cana l an d (24 ) Wes tBeh m Canal , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(25 ) Thom e Arm , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(26 ) Carrol l Inlet , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(27 ) Georg e Inlet , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f (28 ) Clove rPassage , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(29 ) Hel m Bay , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(30 ) Traitor s Cove , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(31 ) Meet s Bay , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(32 ) Gedne yPass , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(33 ) Spaciou s bay , t o Confinemen t t o th e are a o f(34 ) Ye s Bay , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(35 ) Hassle rPass , t o Confinemen tt o th e are a o f(36 ) Bel l Arm . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rpetition s th e amendmen t"Condition s an d Limitations " o fth e abov e mentione d Airspac e Defined . A s tha twil l greatl yreduc e th e Origina l Airspac e define d t o a muc h smalle rscal e an d scope , an d provid e a mor e practica l usag e t o ou rarea s o fai r commerc e i n whic h w e operate . Als o not e tha tth e amendmen tAirspac e Define d doe s no tinclud e an ypoint s i n Canadia n airspace . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rEquivalen tLeve l o fSafet yAreas : Pilo t Fligh t Training : Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai ri s proposin g tha ta n equivalen t leve l o fsafet yt o Exemptio n 1004 0 ca n b e achieve d throug h pilo t fligh ttrainin g i n which , eac h Taqua n Ai rpilo t operatin g unde rthi s exemptio n wil l receiv e annua l fligh t trainin g en-rout e at20 0 fee tabov e th e surfac e i n a simulate d emergenc ylandin g downwin d t o allo wfo ra saf e accomplishmen to fa n unschedule d wate rlanding . Pilo t Fligh t Trainin g an d Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rCompan yCultur e Safety : Th e Medallio n Foundation , Inc . i s a non-profi t aviatio n safet yorganizatio n tha t provide s managemen tresources , training , an d supportt o th e Alaska n aviatio n community . Th e Medallio n Five-Sta rShiel d progra m i s a n enhance d Safet yManagemen tSyste m (SMS ) tha ttake s a businesslik e approac h t o safety , providin g fo rth e settin g o fgoal s a s wel l a s plannin g an d measurin g performanc e i n specifi careasthroug h th e us e o fSyste m Safet yconcepts . ASafet y Managemen tSyste m ca n b e define d a s a systematic , explici tan d comprehensiv e proces s fo r th e managemen t o fsafet yrisks . Anothe rdefinitio n i s a n integrate d sea t o fwor k practices , beliefs , an d procedure s fo rmonitorin g an d improvin g th e safet yan d healt h o fal l aspect s o fa n operation . Th e Medallio n Five-Sta rSheil d progra m i s voluntaryan d focuse s o n establishin g an d sustainin g a n elevate d leve l o fsafet yperformanc e through :

•Th e developmen to fa safet ycultur e tha t hold s safet ya s a cor e value . •Continuou s professiona l developmen to findividua l skill s an d competence .•Proactiv e sharin g o foperationa l contro l responsibilities .

•Hazar d identificatio n an d ris k management . •Managemen tpractice s tha tsupport th e organization' s safet yobjectives . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai ri s a participan ti n th e nationall yacclaime d Medallio n Foundatio n Aviatio n Safet yProgram . Th e progra m wa s establishe d t o provid e safet y managemen t system s an d suppor tt o Alask a aviators . Th e foundatio n use s a Five-Sta rProgra m t o provid e proces s guidelines , training , an d follo wu p wit h audi t suppor tan d coordinatio n t o ensur e compliance . Followin g bein g awarde d 5 ou t o f5 stars , Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rha s bee n awarded—an d a carrie rof—th e covete d Medallio n Shiel d sinc e February2008 . Th e fiv e star s an d shiel d ar e awarde d i n th e followin g disciplines :

•CFi TAvoidanc e Sta r(Awarde d Ma y2004) : Awarde d fo rdevelopin g a n effectiv e trainin g progra m fo ral l pilot s tha t emphasize s recognitio n an d operatio n i n flat-light , white-ou tan d deterioratin g visibilit yweathe rconditions , usin g Aircraf tTrainin g Device s (ATD's ) o rsimulators . •Operationa l Contro l Sta r(Awarde d Ma y2004) : Awarde d whe n th e participan tha s develope d a n effectiv e fligh toperation s managemen tsyste m tha tconsider s al l hazard s an d associate d risk s an d require s share d decision s fo rdispatchin g al l flight s wit h appropriat e managemen tinvolvemen ta s risk level s increase . •Maintenanc e an d Groun d Servic e Sta r(Awarde d Apri l 2005) : Awarde d upo n developin g qualit yassuranc e i n maintenanc e an d groun d servic e department s throug h implementatio n o fa proactiv e surveillanc e an d trendin g progra m incorporatin g hazar d identification , risk

management , personne l trainin g requirements , an d documente d managemen tinvolvemen tan d follow-up . •Safet ySta r(Awarde d Ma y2006) : Awarde d upo n developin g practica l an d effectiv e safet ypolicie s an d procedure s b yimplementatio n o fa company-wid e safet yprogra m wit h commitmen tfro m to p management , includin g a non-punitiv e an d anonymou s safet y reportin g system , a n emergenc yrespons e plan , a safet ycommittee , an d a viabl e safet y informatio n collectio n an d distributio n system . •Interna l Audi tSta r(Awarde d Februar y2008) : Awarde d whe n th e participan tdevelop s a n effectiv e interna l evaluatio n progra m tha t assesse s compan yadherenc e t o th e othe r fou rMedallio n Foundatio n Sta rPrograms . •Medallio n Shiel d (Awarde d Februar y2008) : Afte rbein g awarde d th e fina l star , th e Medallio n Foundatio n send s a representativ e t o conduc ta n evaluatio n o fth e participant . Thi s evaluatio n focuse s o n compan ymanagement , corporat e safet yculture , an d front lin e employee s t o determin e i fth e concept s associate d wit h th e star s ar e successfull y incorporate d int o day-to-da ycompan yoperations . I fal l criteri a ar e met , th e participan t i s awarde d wit h th e Medallio n Shield . Th e Alask a Region' s "Capston e Program " Technology : Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rha s installe d state-of-the-artnavigatio n technolog yi n al l 8 DeHavillan d Beave rDHC- 2 aircraf tbecaus e o fa n uncompromisin g commitmen t t o safety . Thi s progra m i s intende d t o reduc e th e incidenc e o fweather-relate d accidents , mid-ai rcollisions , an d terrain-base d concerns . Thi s i s achieve d byimprovin g a pilot' s situationa l awarenes s throug h advance d technologies , moder n avionics , an d informatio n services . Th e Alask a Region' s "Capston e Program " i s a technology-focuse d safet yprogra m i n Alask a tha t seek s nea rter m safet yan d efficienc ygain s i n aviatio n byacceleratin g implementatio n an d us e o fmoder n technology . Capston e link s multipl e program s an d initiative s unde ra commo numbrell a fo rplanning , coordination , focus , an d direction . I tals o develop s capabilitie s an d

requirement s jointl ywit h FAA , th e Alaska n community , an d aviatio n industryi n a manne r consisten t wit h futur e Nationa l Airspac e Syste m plan s an d concepts , wit h implementatio n i n a manne rleadin g t o self-equipage . Th e Capston e progra m bega n i n Southeas t Alask a i n FY2001 . Capston e i s a n accelerate d effort t o improv e aviatio n safet yan d efficienc ythroug h th e installatio n o fgovernmen tfurnishe d Globa l Positionin g Syste m (GPS ) base d avionic s an d data-lin k communication s suite s i n commercia l aircraft . Compatibl e groun d systems , equipment , an d service s ar e als o provided . Th e nam e "Capstone " i s derive d fro m th e program' s effec t o fdrawin g an d holdin g togethe rconcept s an d recommendation s containe d i n report s fro m th e Nationa l Transportatio n Safet yBoard , th e Mitr e Corporation' s Cente rfo rAdvance d Aviatio n Syste m Development , an d Alaska n aviatio n industryrepresentatives . I n additio n t o th e avionic s suites . Capston e wil l deplo ya groun d infrastructur e fo rweathe robservation , data-lin k communications , surveillance , an d Righ t Informatio n Sen^ice s t o improv e safet yan d enabl e eventua l implementatio n o fne wprocedures . Cue-Base d Training : A s part o fth e Medallio n Foundation' s CFI TAvoidanc e Star . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taoua n Ai r ha s bee n conductin g cue-base d trainin g sinc e Ma y2004 . Thi s trainin g wa s no t require d b yth e FA Aunti l Jul y2009 . Eac h Tagua n Ai rpilo t participate s int o th e utilize d progra m everyyea r durin g initia l an d recurren ttraining . Th e followin g i s a summaryo fth e program : I n 2007 , th e Nationa l Transportatio n Safet yBoar d (NTSB ) propose d Safet yRecommendation s A-07-1 8 throug h -2 6 specifi ct o Hawai i i n respons e t o pas t fata l ai rtou roperato raccidents . I n ligh t o fth e fata l ai rtou raccident s i n Alask a i n 2007 , A-07-1 8 wa s deeme d relevan ti n Alask a a s well . Wor k

wa s therefor e begu n o n th e FAACue-Base d Pilo t Trainin g Projec t unde rth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n Safet yTea m (FAASTeam ) busines s pla n i n fisca l yea r200 8 t o reduc e ai rtou raccident s i n Alask a a n Hawaii . Th e NTS B the n propose d Safet yRecommendation s A-08-5 9 throug h -6 2 fo rAlaska . A-07-1 8 (Hawaii ) an d A-08-6 1 (Alaska ) ar e verysimilar . The yrecommen d tha tth e FAAdevelop , i n cooperatio n wit h commercia l ai rtou roperators , aviatio n psychologists , an d meteorologists , amon g others , a cue-base d trainin g progra m fo rcommercia l ai rtou rpilot s tha tspecificall y addresse s th e hazardou s aspect s o floca l weathe rphenomen a an d in-fligh t decision-making . Thi s produc ti s th e firs tstag e i n answerin g tha t challenge . Product Philosoph y Th e NTS B concluded , "...Cue-Base d training , tailore d t o th e dynami clocal.. . climat e conditions , coul d provid e a n importan t safet ybenefi t t o pilot s wh o ar e ne wt o flyin g i n th e state. " W e understan d th e importanc e o f"Stayin g ahea d o fth e aircraft, " -an d stayin g ahea d o fth e weather . In-fligh tdecisions-makin g skill s ar e loca l weathe rphenomen a ca n b e taugh twit h advance d cue-base d trainin g technologie s a t a fractio n o fth e cos to ftraditiona l in-aircraf t experience ; an d th e mor e realisti cth e trainin g experience , th e bette rit transfer s a s a positiv e real-worl d habi tfo rth e pilot . T o demonstrat e thi s reality , thi s produc t i s intende d t o impartth e followin g capabilities : 1 . Understandin g alternativ e rout e options . 2 . Visualizin g decisio n point s a twhic h visibilit yan d win d velocit yar e checked . 3 . Recognizin g situationa l cue s tha t mus tb e evaluate d befor e proceedin g int o a n are a o f restricte d maneuverin g room .Proof-of-Concept - Mist yFjord s

Thi s firs t iteratio n o fvisua l cue-base d trainin g product s i s presente d a s a share d Standar d Operatin g Procedur e (SOP ) progra m fo rPart 13 5 ai rtour s operatin g i n th e Ketchikan , A K- MistyFjord s area . Thi s are a i s commonl yknow n fo rit s stunningl ybeautifu l geographi cfeatures ; equall yimpressiv e ar e th e fligh tchallenge s posed b ysuc h dramati cterrai n an d volatil e weathe r conditions . I n orde rt o standardiz e th e decisio n makin g proces s fo rfligh tcontinuatio n i n deterioratin g weather , th e cue-trainin g developmen ttea m ha s enliste d th e hel p o floca l fligh toperator s t o brea k th e commo n tou rroute s int o a serie s o fshare d fligh tsegments . Th e en d o feac h segment s represent s a fixe d geographi clocatio n wher e pilot s ar e expecte d t o revie wcondition s an d mak e a consciou s decisio n whethe rt o continu e o n th e route , selec ta n alternat e route , o r retur n t o base . Thi s too l present s eac h o fthes e route s i n turn , wit h th e decisio n point s alon g th e way . A t eac h o fthes e decisio n points , ther e i s a visua l cu e o rlandmar k tha t ma yb e use d i n determinin g whethe rcontinue d fligh talon g th e rout e i s acceptable . Thes e decisio n points , an d thei rlandmark s ar e se tint o geographi ccontex t throug h a serie s o f virtua l fligh t rendering s an d tex tdescriptions . I n orde rt o hel p user s appl yth e trainin g i n real wori d circumstances , th e too l wil l als o presen tthre e view s o feac h landmar k unde rdifferen t weathe rconditions . Th e firs t vie wwil l se t th e stag e fo ridentifyin g th e landmar k bypresentin g a clea rda yvie wo fth e landmar k fro m th e perspectiv e o fth e decisio n point . Th e secon d vie w present s a vie wo fth e landmar k o n a margina l day , s o tha t on e ma yse e ho wth e contex t change s whe n th e cu e i s jus tbarel yvisible . Th e las tvie wi s a n imag e o fth e landmar k o n a da y tha t i s considere d impassible . Unde rthes e circumstances , visibilit ylimit s th e pilot' s perspectiv e suc h tha t th e visua l cu e i s barel yobscured . Th e possibl e response s t o eac h o fthes e condition s ar e describe d alongsid e th e images . Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai rrequest s tha t th e renewa l o fthi s exemptio n no tb e delaye d bypublishin g i n th e Federa l Registe ran d state s tha t thi s wil l no t se ta precedent . You rtimel yextensio n o fth e exemption , whic h expire s o n Marc h 31 , 2012 , wil l allo wu s t o continu e t o provid e safe , efficient , an d timel ycommerc e t o th e travelin g public . Authorit yt o conduc t I n accordanc e wit h thi s exemptio n i s i n publi cinterest . You rassistanc e i n thi s matte ri s appreciated . Bes t regards , Kevi n Roo f/ Directo ro fOperation s Ventur e Trave l LL C db a Taqua n Ai r Enc : Map—amendmen t airspac e define d Cc : Bra d Sap p FAA/FSDO-0 5 Junea u

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