AFS-15-2564-E July 20, 2015

Exemption No. 9912E Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2008-1265

Mr. Mark A. Simmons Heritage Flight Foundation
353 Greenhaven Road Pawcatuck, CT 06379

Dear Mr. Simmons:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 9912, 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 April 15, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Heritage Flight Foundation (HFF) for an extension of Exemption No. 9912, as amended. That exemption from §§ 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21(a) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows HFF to conduct living history flight experience (LHFE) operations in the Grumman TBM.

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 to the exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to HFF.

Please note that the conditions and limitations included with an exemption may not be based on specific regulations, but are the FAA’s mean s of ensuring an e quivalent level of safety. This may necessitate limitations that go beyond the established regulations because the proposed operation is, by its n eed for an exemption, outside the normal2

regulatory structure. In addition, the FAA may, when necessary, revise the conditions and limitations or require corrective action in order to adequately mitigate safety
concerns and risk factor s as they become known.

The FAA has amended the exemption to a dd § 91.9(a), which was inadvertently omitted from the list of applicable regulations subject to relief provided by this exemption. Although the petitioner has requested relief from 14 CFR §§ 91.319 (a) (2), 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21(a) to operate certain aircraft for the pur pose of carrying passengers for compensation or hire on LHFE flights, th e FAA has determined th at certain conditions and limitations may preclude HFF from conducti ng operations pursuant to this exemption.
Those conditions and limitations are prescribed as part of the special airworthiness certificate issued for experimental or limite d category aircraft. Adherence to those
conditions and limitations is re quired by pertinent parts of § 91.9(a) which prescribe that:

“No person may operate a ci vil aircraft without comp lying with the operating limitations specified in the approved Airp lane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, markings, and placards, or as otherwise pr escribed by the certificating authority of the country of registry.”

Generally, the FAA issues a limitation that stat es that no person may operate the aircraft carrying persons or property fo r compensation or hire (see aircraft-specific operating limitations). This one limitation issued with the airworthiness certificate is the only limitation which the exemption from §91.9 (a) is applied to. Therefore, the FAA finds that it is appropriate to exempt HFF from § 91.9(a) to the extent necessary to conduct operations pursuant to this exemption.

The FAA has further amended the conditions and limitations of this exemption. This change is to clarify the conten t, further define the intent, pr ovide consistency with similar exemption holders and address the granted amendment. This change is being added to all LHFE exemptions.

Conditions and Limitation number 29 has been added to note that this Exemption is not
valid outside of the United States.

The FAA finds this change is necessary to clarify and avoid confusion with foreign aviation authorities when this aircraft is operated outside of the United States.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 9912, 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 the Heritage Flight Foundation an exemption3

from 14 CFR §§ 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21(a) to the extent necessary to allow HFF to conduct living history flight experience (LHFE) operations in the Grumman TBM, subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption applies only to the Grumman TBM, N85650.

2. HFF must maintain its limited category airplane in accordance with the:

a. Maintenance requirements as specified in the appropriate type certificate data sheet, as amended;

b. FAA-approved maintenance inspection program that meets the requirements of § 91.409(e), (f)(4), and (g); and

c. The appropriate military technical manuals.

3. The pilot in command (PIC) for the single-engine airplane must:

a. Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land rating, airplane instrument rating, and a G-TBM type rating;

b. Have completed within the previous 12 calendar months, HFF's PIC qualification and recurrent flight and ground training program in the airplane;

c. Have completed within the previous 12 calendar months, HFF's PIC proficiency check for the airplane;

d. Have at least a total of:

i. 2,500 hours of aeronautical flight experi ence, 1,000 hours of aeronautical flight experience in single-engine land airplane, and 25 hours in the airplane; or

ii. Have at least a total of 1,000 hours of aeronautical flight experience, 200 hours of aeronautical flight experience in a single-engine land airplane, and 100 hours and 50 takeoffs and 50 landings in the airplane; and

e. Have accomplished within the previous 90 days, three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop in the airplane. For initial PIC qualification in the specific airplane or if the pilot has allowed his/her takeoff and landing currency to lapse in the airplane, the takeoff and landing currency may not be accomplished during passenger-carrying operations.

4. HFF must develop and maintain written qualification and recurrent ground training programs for its PIC in the airplane that covers the training subjects listed below. Each PIC must receive the following training within the previous 12 calendar months and be found to be competent and proficient in these areas prior to serving in a PIC position in the airplane:4

REQUIRED TRAINING TASKS a. General information and description of the airplane; b. Airplane limitations; c. Airplane servicing; d. Airspeeds; e. Fuel system; f. Electrical system; g. Hydraulic system; h. Engines; i. Instruments and avionics; j. Landing gear, brakes, controls, and flaps systems; k. Propeller; l. Emergency procedures, including— (i) Instruction in emergency assignments and procedures, including coordination among crewmembers; (ii) Individual instruction in the location, function, and operation of emergency equipment, including— A. First aid equipment and its proper use; and B. Portable fire extinguishers, with emphasis on the type of extinguisher to be used on different classes of fires; (iii) Instruction in the handling of emergency situations, including— A. Fire in flight or on the surface and smoke control procedures with emphasis on electrical equipment and related circuit breakers found in cabin areas; and B. Illness, injury, or other abnorma l situations involving passengers or crewmembers; m. Weight and balance; n. Performance planning; and o. Airplane's checklist.

5. HFF must develop and maintain a writte n qualification and recurrent ground training program for its PIC in the single-engine ai rplane that covers the areas of operations and tasks, as listed in the following table of training tasks. Each PIC must successfully accomplish this airplane specific training before being assigned PIC responsibilities and duties. Each PIC must receive and accomplish the following training within the previous 12 calendar months and be found to be competent and proficient in these areas prior to serving in a PIC position in the single-engine airplane:

REQUIRED TRAINING TASKS a. Preflight Preparation, including— (i) Airplane exam (oral or written); and (ii) Airplane performance & limitations (oral or written). b. Ground Operations, including— (i) Preflight inspection;5

(ii) Cockpit resource management; (iii) Powerplant start procedures; (iv) Taxiing; and (v) Pre-takeoff checks. c. Takeoffs & Departures, including— (i) Normal & crosswind takeoffs; (ii) Powerplant failure; and (iii) Rejected takeoffs. d. In-flight Maneuvers, including— (i) Steep turns; (ii) Approach to stalls; (iii) Powerplant failure; and (iv) Specific flight characteristics. e. Landings & Approaches to Landing, including— (i) Normal & crosswind approaches & landing; (ii) Maneuvering to a landing with a simulated powerplant failure; (iii) Rejected landing; and (iv) Landing from a no flap or a nonstandard flap approach. f. Normal & Abnormal Procedures, including— (i) Powerplant; (ii) Fuel system; (iii) Electrical system; (iv) Hydraulic system; (v) Environmental & pressurization system (as appropriate and if equipped); (vi) Fire detection & extinguishing system; (vii) Navigation & avionics system; (viii)Automatic flight control system, electronic flight instrument system, & related systems (as appropriate and if equipped); (ix) Flight control system; (x) Anti-ice & de-ice system; and (xi) Airplane & personal emergency equipment. g. Emergency Procedures, including— (i) In-flight fire & smoke removal; (ii) Rapid decompression (as appropriate and if equipped with a pressurization system); (iii) Emergency descent; (iv) Ditching; and (v) Emergency evacuation. h. Post-flight Procedures, including— (i) After landing procedures; and (ii) Parking and securing airplane.

6. HFF may not use a pilot nor may any pilot serve as a pilot in any airplane unless, since the beginning of the 12th calendar month before that service, that pilot has passed a6

competency check given by the FAA or an authorized check pilot in that airplane to determine the pilot's competence in practical skills and techniques in the appropriate airplane. The competency check will consist of the appropriate maneuvers and procedures currently required for the original issuance of the commercial pilot certificate. The FAA’s Windsor Locks Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) will determine what maneuvers and procedures are critical, such as pr eflight preparation, ground operations, takeoffs and departures, and normal procedures, etc., a nd maneuvers and procedures that may be unsafe for a particular airplane.

7. Recurrent flight training for pilots must incl ude, at least, flight training in the maneuvers and procedures in this exemption. However, satisfactory completion of the check required by this exemption within the preceding 12 calendar months may be substituted for recurrent flight training.

8. HFF must document and record all ground and flight training and/or testing required by this grant of exemption in a manner acceptable to the FAA's Windsor Locks FSDO. That documentation and records must contain the following information:

a. Date of each training session;

b. Date of each testing session;

c. The amount of time of each session of ground and flight training given;

d. The amount of time of each session of ground and flight testing given;

e. Location where each session of ground and flight training was given;

f. Location where each session of ground and flight testing was given;

g. The airplane identification number in which each flight training session was received;

h. The airplane identification number in which each flight testing session was received;

i. The name and certificate number of the pilot who provided each session of training;

j. The name and certificate number of the pilot who provided each session of testing;

k. The signature and printed name of the pilot who received the training. That pilot's signature will serve as a verification of having received each session of training;
and

l. The signature and printed name of the pilot who received the testing. That pilot's signature will serve as a verification of having received each session of testing.

9. When requested, the HFF's pilot qualifica tion and recurrent ground- and flight-training programs and/or records listed in conditions above must be made available to the Windsor Locks FSDO, Firehouse Road, Bradley International Airport, Windsor Locks, Connecticut 06096, (860) 654-1000.7

10. HFF must have the services of an FAA-cer tificated airframe and powerplant mechanic or an appropriately rated repair station available at all stopovers to perform all required maintenance inspections and repairs.

11. HFF will maintain the following information and records and will make those records available for review to the FAA when requested:

a. The name of each pilot crewmember HFF authorizes to conduct flight operations in its airplane under the terms of this exemption;

b. Copies of each PIC's pilot certificate, medical certificate, qualifications, and initial and recurrent training and testing documentation to comply with the conditions listed above; and

c. Records of maintenance performed and maintenance inspection records to comply with the conditions above, as appropriate. Maintenance and inspection records must meet the requirements of §§ 43.9, 43.11, and 91.405.

12. Before permitting a person to be carried on board its airplane for the purposes authorized under this exemption, HFF will inform that person that its airplane holds only a limited airworthiness certificate; the significance of the airworthiness certificate as compared to a standard airworthiness certificate; and that the FAA has authorized this flight under a grant of exemption from the requirements of §§ 91.315, 91.319, 119.5(g), and 119.21(a). The explanation of the significance of a limited airworthiness certificate, experimental airworthiness certificate compared to a standard airworthiness certificate must include at least the following information:

a. The FAA has not established nor has it approved limited category airworthiness certificated airplane manufacturing standa rds. The FAA has not established nor has it approved experimental category airwor thiness certificated airplane manufacturing standards. In contrast, standard category airworthiness certificated airplanes are manufactured to FAA-approved standards, including standards addressing the design of the airplane and life-limited parts.

b. Limited category airworthiness certificated airplanes are issued when the FAA finds the airplane—

i. Has been previously issued a limited category type certificate and the airplane conforms to that type certificate; and

ii. To be in a good state of preservation and repair and is in a safe operating
condition.

c. An airplane may be issued an experimental airworthiness certificate for the purpose of exhibition when the airplane is intended only for exhibition of the airplane's flight capabilities, performance, or unusual characteristics at airshows, motion picture, television, and similar productions and the maintenance of exhibition flight8

proficiency, including (for persons exhib iting the airplane) flying to and from such airshows and productions.

d. Standard category airworthiness certificates are issued for an airplane when the
FAA finds the—

i. Airplane has been built and maintained in accordance with that airplane's type certification standards as established by the FAA; and

ii. Airplane's inspection and maintenance requirements are in compliance with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.

13. HFF must notify the Windsor Locks FSDO within 24 hours of any of the following occurrences by written report, by electronic mail, or by facsimile:

a. Each in-flight fire in any system or area that requires activation of any fire suppression system or discharge of a portable fire extinguisher;

b. Each exhaust system component failure, including the turbocharger components, that causes damage to any engine, structure, cowling, or components;

c. Each airplane component or system that causes, during flight, accumulation or circulation of noxious fumes, smoke, or vapor in any portion of the cabin or crew

area;
d. Except for training, each occurrence of engine shutdown or propeller feathering, and the reason for such shutdown or feathering;

e. Each failure of the propeller governing systems or feathering systems;

f. Any landing gear system or component failure or malfunction, which requires use of emergency or standby extension systems;

g. Each failure or malfunction of the wheel brake system that causes loss of brake control on the ground;

h. Each airplane structure that requires major repair due to damage, deformation, or corrosion, and the method of repair;

i. Each failure or malfunction of the fuel system, tanks, pumps, or valves;

j. Each malfunction, failure, or defect in any system or component that requires taking emergency action of any type during the course of any flight; and

k. For the purpose of this section, "during flight" means the period from the moment the airplane leaves the surface of the earth on takeoff until it touches down on landing.

14. All flight operations must be conducted:

a. At a minimum operating altitude of not less than 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL);9

b. Between the hours of official sunrise and sunset, as established in the American Air Almanac, as converted to local time;

c. Within a 25-statute-mile radius of the departure airport with landings only permitted at the departure airport;

d. With a minimum flight visibility of not less than 3 statute miles and a minimum ceiling of not less than 1,500 feet AGL;

e. Passenger-carrying operations for compensation may be conducted at distances greater than 25 statute miles of the departure airport up to 50 statute miles with concurrence of the FAA FSDO having geographic responsibility for the aviation event. For such flights, landings are only permitted at the departure airport. The operator must provide information pertai ning to the proposed route of flight, which will avoid densely populated areas or congested airways in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.319(c), for airplanes certificated in the experimental category. Those operators utilizing airplanes certificated in the limited category are not bound by the restriction regarding the avoidance of densely populated areas or congested airways;

f. For passenger-carrying flights greater than 25 statute miles from the departure airport and up to 50 statute miles, the PIC must obtain weather reports and forecasts prior to flight and valid for the duration of the proposed operation that indicate that the weather would be no less than 5 statute miles visibility and cloud ceilings no less than 2,000 feet AGL. Passenger-carrying operations shall be terminated if ceiling and visibility become less than the minimum required by these conditions and limitations. Weather forecasts listing discriminators such as probability (PROB), becoming (BECOMG), or temporarily (TEMPO) shall be limiting; and

g. The airplane may only be operated from an airport that has a fire station or fire- fighting services available or within close proximity of the airport.

15. No persons other than the assigned flight crewmembers may be permitted on the pilot station of the airplane during flight operations.

16. All flight operations must carry no more than the maximum number of passengers permitted by the aircraft’s weight and balance limitations and number of approved seats in
the aircraft.

17. All airplanes must have the equipment listed in §§ 91.205(b) and 91.207 and that equipment must be in an operable condition during the flight.

18. HFF must hold and continue to hold a determination from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service that it is a § 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization under §§ 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.

19. HFF must notify the Windsor Locks FSDO at least 5 working days (Mondays through10

Fridays) before conducting any PIC or second in command (SIC) initial or recurrent qualification training and any PIC or SI C initial or recurrent proficiency checks required to be conducted under the terms of this grant of exemption.

20. No later than 72 hours prior to commencing flight operations under the terms of this grant of exemption, HFF must notify the jurisdictional FAA FSDO where it intends to conduct the flight operations and shall provide a copy of this exemption to that jurisdictional FAA
FSDO.

21. Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be grounds for the immediate suspension or revocation of the exemption.

22. The PIC is prohibited from performing aerobatic flight while passengers are onboard the
aircraft.

23. For all aircraft subject to this exemption, flight within 500 feet of another aircraft (i.e., formation flying) is prohibited.

24. Prior to flight, the PIC must ensure that a passenger briefing meeting the scope and content of § 135.117 has been provided to the passenger(s).

25. No persons other than the assigned flight crewmembers may be permitted on the pilot station of the aircraft during flight operations.

26. No persons other than the assigned flight crewmembers may be permitted to manipulate the flight controls during flight operations.

27. All aircraft must have the equipment listed in §§ 91.205(b) and 91.207 and that equipment must be in an operable condition during the flight.

28. HFF must develop a continuous analysis and management program for all aircraft subject to this exemption that ensures compliance with its inspection program, training program, and conditions and limitations of this exemption.

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

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be grounds for the immediate suspension or revocation of Exemption No. 9912, as amended.11

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 9912, as amended, to July 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service