October 14, 2014 

Exemption No. 10683A 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-1019

Captain Dale M. Ranz 

President 

Ranz Aviation

1993-NE. 85th Street

Redmond, WA 98053 

Dear Captain Ranz: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend and amend 

Exemption No. 10683. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effects, and lists 

the conditions and limitations. 

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated July 24, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Ranz Aviation (Ranz) for an extension of Exemption No. 10683. That exemption 

from § 91.529(b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows Ranz limited 

operations of its flight engineer activity for flight test certification purposes with an annual 

flight engineer proficiency check concurrent with § 61.58 pilot in command (PIC) check 

required for pilots in lieu of the 50 hours in 6 calendar months or 6 month flight engineer 

proficiency check requirement. 

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 would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Ranz. 

AFS-14-387-E 
2

The FAA added condition and limitations #2 to clarify, per the petitioner’s request, that the 

checks be done concurrently with the test pilots annual 14 CFR § 61.58 PIC check. This will 

enhance safety by allowing the flight engineers to train with the pilots as a crew on an annual 

basis. 

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10683 

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 hereby grant Ranz Aviation an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.529(b) to 

the extent necessary to allow Ranz limited operations of its flight engineer activity for flight 

test certification purposes with an annual flight engineer proficiency check concurrent with 

§ 61.58 PIC check required for pilots in lieu of the 50 hours in 6 calendar months or 6 

month flight engineer proficiency check requirement, subject to the conditions and 

limitations described below. 

Conditions and Limitations

1. Ranz is granted limited operations to utilize flight engineers on aircraft 

requiring a flight engineer as a required crew member if they have logged a 

minimum of 20 hours in lieu of the required 50 hours of flight time as flight 

engineers on the particular type aircraft within the preceding 12 calendar 

months, provided the combined flight time in any aircraft requiring a flight 

engineer, or Level B, C, or D simulator that represents any aircraft requiring a 

flight engineer, is at least 100 hours in the preceding 12 calendar months. 

2. The annual flight engineer proficiency check will be done concurrently with the 

test pilots annual 14 CFR § 61.58 pilot in command (PIC) check 

3. No Ranz flight engineer may act as a required crew member during passenger 

carrying operations while operating under the provisions of this exemption. 

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

The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 10683 to January 31, 2017, unless 

sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John Barbagallo 

Acting Director, Flight Standards Service