SeaPort Airlines, Inc. Petition for Exemption from Title 14 CFR 61.3 (a) and (c).

Submitted by: Noel McDermott – Chief Pilot

7505 NE Airport Way

Portland, OR 97218

971-340-1712 office

971-732-7678 fax

noel@seaportair.com

SeaPort Airlines, Inc. (SeaPort) is petitioning for exemption from 14 CFR 61.3 (a) and (c) for company 

pilots engaged in SeaPort’s Part 135 and Part 91 flight operations. Specifics and reasons are listed 

below:

§ 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.

(a) Pilot certificate. No person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of a civil aircraft of the 

United States, unless that person—

(1) Has a pilot certificate or special purpose pilot authorization issued under this part in that person's 

physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot 

certificate or authorization. However, when the aircraft is operated within a foreign country, a pilot 

license issued by that country may be used; and

(2) Has a photo identification that is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the 

aircraft when exercising the privileges of that pilot certificate or authorization. The photo identification 

must be a:

(i) Driver's license issued by a State, the District of Columbia, or territory or possession of the United 

States;

(ii) Government identification card issued by the Federal government, a State, the District of Columbia, 

or a territory or possession of the United States;

(iii) U.S. Armed Forces' identification card;

(iv) Official passport;

(v) Credential that authorizes unescorted access to a security identification display area at an airport 

regulated under 49 CFR part 1542; or

(vi) Other form of identification that the Administrator finds acceptable.

(c) Medical certificate.
(1) A person may serve as a required pilot flight crewmember of an aircraft only if that person holds the 

appropriate medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter, or other documentation acceptable 

to the FAA, that is in that person's physical possession or readily accessible in the aircraft. Paragraph 

(c)(2) of this section provides certain exceptions to the requirement to hold a medical certificate.

Extent of relief requested:

The company shall retain, in electronic or paper form, a digital scan or printed legible color copy of each 

pilot’s certificates (both Pilot Certificate and Medical Certificate) on file with the Chief Pilot’s office. 

Having previously determined the validity of said documents, we are seeking the exemption to allow our 

crewmembers to operate company aircraft in revenue and non-revenue operations without their 

certificates in their possession.

Public Benefit:

As we are engaged in scheduled commuter air carrier operations, the ability for our pilots to operate our 

flights without possession of their pilot or medical certificate will enhance our ability to maintain 

operational stability in the event that a crewmember loses or misplaces their certificate throughout the 

duration of their duty day or on an overnight. Exemption from FAR 61.3 (a) and (c) would eliminate the 

possible need for scheduled flight delays in replacing a lost airman certificate or medical certificate.

Affect to Operational Safety:

The requested exemption would in no way decrease our stringent adherence to a high degree of safety. 

Lacking physical possession of a certificate does not impair or degrade a pilots ability to perform their 

job functions. SeaPort’s commitment to safety still remains at the core of our corporate and operational 

focus.

Summary for posting to the Federal Register:

SeaPort Airlines, Inc. is seeking exemption from FAR 61.3 (a) and (c) the requirement for a pilot to have 

in their possession their pilot certificate, government issued photo ID and medical certificate. A clear 

digital color scan or photocopy will be retained by the Chief Pilot’s office in the event verification of 

qualification is required. Requests for such information may be made by designated representatives of 

the Administrator or local law enforcement and will be provided via the most expeditions means 

possible (email or fax). In the event a pilot were to misplace or suffer loss of these documents (due to 

theft, etc), we request that the pilot be allowed to initiate, resume or continue their flight duties until 

such time as replacement copies can be obtained from the appropriate FAA offices. 

Additional information in support of the petition:

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) already operates under Exemption 5560F which allows for 

association members to provide copies of airmen and/or medical certificates to crewmembers for use if 

the originals are lost. We desire the same exemption though we are not currently a member of the RAA.

Areas of Operation:

We request this authorization for all areas of operation contained with our company Ops Specs.