AFS-16-2026-E

November 17, 2015

 Exemption No. 6002K

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-12804

Mr. Matthew S. Zuccaro 

President

Helicopter Association International

1920 Ballenger Ave

Alexandria, VA 22314

Dear Mr. Zuccaro:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 6002, 

as amended. 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 July 19, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Helicopter Association International (HAI) and the Association of Air Medical 

Services (AAMS) for an extension of Exemption No. 6002, as amended. That exemption 

from § 43.3(g) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows properly trained pilots 

employed by member operators to remove and reinstall Liquid Oxygen System (LOX) 

containers in their aircraft, after receiving and documenting appropriate training in this task 

by a properly certificated airframe mechanic, subject to certain conditions and limitations 

stated therein.

In your petition, you indicate 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.
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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 HAI and AAMS.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 6002, 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 grant Helicopter Association International and the 

Association of Air Medical Services an exemption from § 43.3(g) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations to allow properly trained pilots employed by member operators to remove and 

reinstall Liquid Oxygen System (LOX) containers in their aircraft, after receiving and 

documenting appropriate training in this task by a properly certificated airframe mechanic, 

subject to the following conditions and limitations.

The Effect of Our Decision

1. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, it must apply for and 

receive from the FAA district office with certificate responsibility for its operating 

certificate amended operations specifications authorizing it to exercise the privileges 

of this exemption.

2. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, the assigned certificate 

holding office (Airworthiness) must evaluate each installation of the Liquid Oxygen 

System (LOX) and determine that the emergency shutdown is accessible in flight to 

any crew member in case of an emergency. The inspector must also determine the 

LOX system was installed in accordance with some type of FAA approval, (i.e. STC, 

FAA Field Approval) and that no special tools are required to perform the container 

exchange.

3. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, it shall develop 

specific instructions for the installation and removal of the LOX containers installed in 

its aircraft and shall incorporate such data in its operations and maintenance 

procedures manual or other documents as appropriate. This information shall be made 

available to each pilot who will perform the procedure.

4. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, it shall establish a pilot 

training program for the removal and reinstallation of the LOX containers and testing 

of the system, and have the program approved by the certificate holding FAA office.

5. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, its pilots shall be 

trained in the removal and reinstallation of the LOX containers and testing of the 

system, as specified by the operator’s approved instructions.
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6. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, it shall instruct its 

appropriately certificated mechanics to conduct spot checks to verify proper 

procedures are being followed when the LOX container exchanges are performed by 

the pilots.

7. Prior to an operator exercising the privileges of this exemption, it shall demonstrate 

that each LOX container has a positive means of shut off accessible in the cabin in 

case of emergency.

8. Each pilot removing or installing LOX containers shall record that work in accordance 

with § 43.9 and ensure that the appropriate weight and balance is utilized.

9. The privileges of this exemption also apply to any similarly-situated 14 CFR Part 135 

operator who is not a member of either petitioner’s association, under the above 

conditions and limitations.

10. This exemption only applies when appropriately certificated maintenance personnel 

authorized under 14 CFR § 43.3(b) are not available.

Our decision amends Exemption No. 6002, as amended, and extends the termination date to 

January 31, 2018, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service