PINNACL E 

AIRLINES , INC . 

FAR 121.619 Exemption 

Application 
PINNACL E 

AIRLINE S I N C. 

"APARTMENT OF 

•-MSPORTATION 

• :XTOPFRAT!ONS 

0 Pir : i! p 2: 30 Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. 

1689 Nonconnah Blvd. 

Suite 111 

Memphis, TN 38132 

Ph 901-348-4100 

Fax 901-348-4103 

December?, 2010 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations 

West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

Washington, DC 20590 

Dear, Sir / Madam 

Pinnacle Airlines, Inc., REXA257A petitions the Administrator for an exemption like 

FAA Exemption 9621, in relief of FAR 121.619. 

Approval of this exemption for Pinnacle Airlines will increase the efficiency and 

reliability of the national airspace system, reducing weather related delays, 

improving completion factor, all while saving fuel. These enhancements will 

improve the quality of air travel for the public good, while maintaining the highest 

standards of safety. 

Thank you for your consideration of our application. Please do not hesitate to 

contact me if you have any questions concerning this proposal. 

Respectfully submitted. 

Santi Lombardo. 

Vice President, Flight Operations 

Pinnacle Airlines, Inc. 

^ 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Naming of Exemption: 3 

Conditions and limitations: 3 

Procedures for complying with the conditions and limitations associated with this 

exemption: 6 

Condition 1: 6 

Condition!: 6 

Conditions: 6 

Condition 4a: 6 

Condition 4b: 7 

Condition 4c: 7 

Condition 4d: 7 

Condition 4e: 8 

Condition 4f: 8 

Condition 4g: 8 

Condition 4h: 9 

Condition 4i: 9 

Condition 5: 9 

Condition 6: 10 

Condition 7: 10 

Conditions: 10 

Condition 9: 11 

Condition 10: 11 

Condition 11: 11 

Condition 12: 12 

Condition 13: 12 

Dispatch 1-1-3 Exemption Training Material 13 

Spreadsheet for Tracking Exemption Statistics 37 

Reporting Procedure for Weather Products Relating to the 1-1-3 Exception 38 

Spreadsheet for Tracking Weather Products Relating to the 1-1-3 Exemption 39 

Communications and Technical Capabilities 40 

Flight Operations Manual Material 46 

Risk Assessment Tool. 48 

Pilot Training Material: SO 

7 December 2010 2 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

r 

Naming of Exemption: 

Throughout this appHcation references are made to the "1-1-3 Exemption." We understand that when 

Pinnacle Airlines receives this Exemption, a unique Exemption number will be issued. When the new 

Exemption number is assigned we will use that number in all company material, deleting any reference to the 

"1-1-3 Exemption." 

Conditions and limitations: 

Pinnacle Airlines proposes the following conditions and limitations in association with this proposal: 

1. Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those destination airports in the 48 contiguous 

States and the District of Columbia. 

2. Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those airports at which an operable Category 

(CAT) I instrument landing system is available for use. 

3. This Exemption will apply to the CL-65-2B19 and CL-65-2D24 fleets and all Pinnacle Airlines Crews 

qualified on those fleets. 

4. Before conducting operations under this Exemption, Pinnacle Airlines will demonstrate to your 

satisfaction that: 

a. Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the ability to display the location of each flight 

within 3 minutes of real time. 

b. The Pinnacle Airlines System Operations Control (SOC) has the capability to overlay 

weather returns with an update rate of at least once per five minutes. 

c. The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system that provides its Dispatchers with a display of the 

specific aircraft routing as assigned by air traffic control (ATC) and actual filed flight plan 

routing. 

d. Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has a system available to display locations of other 

airborne aircraft including aircraft of other operators. 

e. The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system that provides its Dispatchers with a display of 

planned and actual fuel at regular intervals along the route and the difference between 

planned and actual fuel. 

f. The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system available that automatically alerts its Dispatchers 

to special weather updates, changes in weather reports, forecasts and/or other significant 

weather-related reports, and ensures that these can be relayed to Flight crews in an 

expeditious manner. 

g. Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the capability to access the services of a qualified 

meteorologist approved by the POI whenever the Dispatcher believes that consultation is 

necessary to ensure safety of operations under this Exemption. The presence of an approved 

"Enhanced Weather Information System" satisfies this requirement. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

h. Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the capability to expeditiously re-compute projected 

time of arrival from a "point aloft" to the intended destination in the event conditions occur 

that negatively impact the flight. 

i. The Dispatch release will contain a statement for each flight Dispatched under this 

Exemption that states "ALTERNATE WEATHER 1-1-3 EXEMPTION APPLIED." 

5. Pinnacle Airlines will maintain at least CAT I approach authorization, OpsSpec C074, for those fleets 

to which this Exemption applies. Each aircraft operating under this Exemption must have all 

equipment needed for CAT IILS approaches fully operational. 

6. At the time of Dispatch, the Flight crew must be qualified to conduct a CAT I approach. PICs with less 

than the requisite minimum hours specified in 14 CFR 121.652 will not be used in operations under 

this Exemption until Pinnacle Airlines is granted Exemption 5549, the PIC has been trained in 

accordance with the requirements of that Exempfion, and all of the conditions specified by Exemption 

5549 are met. 

7. Operations are not permitted under this Exemption at any airport at which thunderstorms are reported 

or forecast from 1 hour before through I hour after the estimated time of arrival if such reports or 

forecasts are in either or both the main body or the remarks section of the weather report or weather 

forecast. Furthermore, Pinnacle Airlines will not use Exemption 3585P or any subsequent Exemption 

granting similar relief regarding any kind of forecast of thunderstorms at the destination airport in 

conjunction with any operation conducted under this Exemption. 

8. Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher and PIC, who conducts operations under this Exemption, will be 

provided with a copy of the pertinent parts of this Exemption. This information will be retained in the 

Flight Operations Manual (FOM). 

9. Operations under this Exemption are permitted but not required. 

10. Pinnacle Airlines may use this Exemption in operations to airports within the 48 conUguous States and 

District of Columbia, and from outside those boundaries provided OPSpec A012 is maintained, and 

operations are conducted in accordance with the appropriate provisions of that OpSpec. 

11. Pinnacle Airlines will provide the Administrator, by the IS"" of each month, reports that include the 

information listed below, during the preceding calendar month: 

a. The total number of flights operated by Pinnacle Airlines under domestic rules to 

destinations within the 48 contiguous States and District of Columbia; 

b. The total number of flights operated under this Exemption, including those flights 

conducted under the appropriate provisions and limitations of OpSpec A012. For each 

flight operated, the dates, airport pairs, flight numbers, aircraft M/M/S, trended or 

geographical summary of flight planned fuel vs. actual arrival fuel, and contingency fuel 

must be listed. Report format will be in chronological order by fleet type; 

c. The total number of flights that divert to an alternate airport; 

d. The total number of flights that divert to an alternate airport that are operated under this 

Exemption, and the reason for each diversion, such as weather conditions, mechanical 

problem, fuel quantity, passenger problem, air traffic, Crewmember, or any other reason. 

Pinnacle Airlines must fully document each diversion; 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

e. The total number of flights, operated under this Exemption, that declare an emergency and 

the reason for such declaration, or during which flight a low fuel state occurs that results in 

actions being taken by ATC and/or Dispatch to provide priority handling, even if no 

emergency is declared. 

12. Dispatch will not apply this Exemption when any of the following conditions exist: 

a. When any originally or normally scheduled dispatch shift is not filled for any reason: 

including sick calls, personal leave etc. 

b. When the Dispatcher is within six months of successfully completing their initial 

Competence Check. 

c. On a flight that has ACARS deferred. (Reference is made in some material pertaining to 

this exemption that if ACARS is unavailable you may use a radio patch for 

communication, this is only to allow communications when an ACARS failure has 

occurred after block out on a flight using this exemption. In no case shall a flight under 

this exemption be iniUated without operable ACARS) 

d. If the Pinnacle Airlines SOC is experiencing power or computer outages 

13. Flight Movement Forecasts, Flight Operations Forecasts, and Turbulence Plots will be the only 

EWINS products considered when applying this exemption. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Procedures for complying with the conditions and 

limitations associated with this exemption: 

Condition 1: 

Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those destination airports in the 

48 contiguous States and the District of Columbia. 

-This condition will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) under the 

1-1-3 Exemption paragraph. 

Condition 2: 

Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those airports at which an 

operable Category (CAT) I instrument landing system is available for use. 

-This condition will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) under the 

1-1-3 Exemption paragraph. 

Condition 3: 

This Exemption will apply to the CL-65-2B19 and CL-65-2D24 fleet. 

-This condition will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) under the 

1-1-3 Exemption paragraph. 

Condition 4a: 

Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the ability to display the location of each flight 

within 3 minutes of real time. 

-The Flight Explorer software currently used by Pinnacle Airlines Dispatch 

provides an industry best update of real time traffic flow information. The update 

rate is once every 10 seconds, far exceeding the 3 minute requirement of this 

Exemption. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Condition 4b: 

The Pinnacle Airlines System Operations Control (SOC) has the capability to overlay 

weather returns with an update rate of at least once per five minutes. 

-Pinnacle Airlines will use the Delta Airlines version of flight explorer. The TP's 

are updated as needed or every 15 minutes. The base reflectivity radar in Delta's 

FE is from Unisys and updates every 5 minutes. The echo tops product updates 

every 10 minutes. The single site radar update frequency is controlled by the 

National Weather Service and varies between 5 minutes and 12 minutes. 

Condition 4c: 

The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system that provides its Dispatchers with a display of 

the specific aircraft routing as assigned by air traffic control (ATC) and actual filed flight 

plan routing. 

-The Flight Explorer Analyze Routes tab opens the Route Analyzer tool showing 

the planned, previous, and current routes of a particular flight. This system is 

currently in use by all Pinnacle Airlines Dispatchers. 

Condition 4d: 

Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has a system available to display locations of other 

airborne aircraft including aircraft of other operators. 

-Flight Explorer provides the most accurate and reliable stream of air traffic data 

available in the industry. The data is based upon radar, satellite and other tracking 

information supplied by the FAA and other sources. Once Flight Explorer 

receives this data, it is processed and sent to the Flight Explorer client software 

via the Internet. This system is currently in use by all Pinnacle Airlines 

Dispatchers. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Condition 4e: 

The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system that provides its Dispatchers with a display of 

planned and actual fuel at regular intervals along the route and the difference between 

planned and actual fuel. 

-To meet this requirement, position reports will be required from pilots upon 

reaching top of climb, and every thirty minutes thereafter. Normally position 

reports will be provided to the Dispatcher via ACARS; during periods when 

ACARS is not available the position reports will be provided via radio patch. 

Pilots will be reminded of this requirement in the release remarks. "ALTERNATE 

WEATHER 1-1-3 EXEMPTION APPLIED, POSITION REPORTS REQUIRED. 

This condition will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) under the 1-

1-3 Exemption paragraph. 

Condition 41: 

The Pinnacle Airlines SOC has a system available that automatically alerts its 

Dispatchers to special weather updates, changes in weather reports, forecasts and/or other 

significant weather-related reports, and ensures that these can be relayed to Flight crews 

in an expeditious manner. 

-The Dispatch User Interface (DUI) currently provides weather alerts for new 

METAR's, Specials, TAF's, and TP's to all Dispatchers. The system then 

automatically forwards TP's to any aircraft affected by them. The Dispatcher will 

be required to forward the new METAR's and TAF's via ACARS. The 

requirement to forward the new information via ACARS is incorporated in the 

Dispatcher training 

Condition 4g: 

Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the capability to access the services of a qualified 

meteorologist whenever the Dispatcher believes that consultation is necessary to ensure 

safety of operations under this Exemption. The presence of an approved "Enhanced 

Weather Information System" satisfies this requirement. 

-We have an approved EWINS program on our Operations Specification AOIO. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Condition 4h: 

Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher has the capability to expeditiously re-compute 

projected time of arrival from a "point aloft" to the intended destination in the event 

conditions occur that negatively impact the flight. 

-The DUI allows the Dispatcher to easily re-calculate a flight from any point on 

the flight plan or the aircrafts present position (latitude/longitude from the last 

radar contact) to the destination, alternate, or a diversionary airport. This recalculation may then be sent via ACARS (or radio patch, during periods of 

ACARS outage) directly to the aircraft with any new routing, burns, times, ETA, 

etc... 

Condition 4i: 

The Dispatch release will contain a statement for each flight Dispatched under this 

Exemption that states "ALTERNATE WEATHER 1-1-3 EXEMPTION APPLIED." 

-The DUI will have a predefined remark for this so that all Dispatchers will have 

one standardized remark. This pull down list of remarks allows the Dispatcher to 

simply click on the appropriate remark to be added to the release. This procedure 

is included in Dispatcher training for this Exemption. 

Condition 5: 

Pinnacle Airlines will maintain at least CAT I approach authorization, for those fleets to 

which this Exemption applies. Each aircraft operating under this Exemption must have all 

equipment needed for CAT I ILS approaches fully operational. 

-The FOM will clearly define the requirement to have a CAT I aircraft, airport 

and crew in order to utilize this Exemption. 

7 December 2010 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Condition 6: 

At the time of Dispatch the Flight crew must be qualified to conduct a CAT I approach. 

PICs with less than the requisite minimum hours specified in 14 CFR 121.652 will not 

be used in operations under this Exemption. 

-Records are maintained in Crew Qual which show if Crewmembers are Category 

II qualified. These records will be checked by Dispatch prior to releasing a flight 

with this Exemption to ensure compliance with this requirement. 

Condition 7: 

Operations are not permitted under this Exemption at any airport at which thunderstorms 

are reported or forecast from 1 hour before through 1 hour after the estimated time of 

arrival if such reports or forecasts are in either or both the main body or the remarks 

section of the weather report or weather forecast. Furthermore, Pinnacle Airlines will not 

use Exemption 3585P or any subsequent Exemption granting similar relief regarding any 

kind of forecast of thunderstorms at the destination airport in conjunction with any 

operation conducted under this Exemption. 

-Operations under this Exemption will only be conducted by direction from a 

SOC Manager. Dispatchers must have all flights operated under this Exemption 

approved by the Duty Manager prior to release. The Duty Manager will review 

the details of all flights operated under this Exemption prior to approval. For 

Flights where the risks as determined from a Risk Assessment Tool fall between 

12 and 18, the decision will be escalated to the Director of Operations for 

approval. 

Condition 8: 

Each Pinnacle Airlines Dispatcher and PIC, who conducts operations under this 

Exemption, will be provided with a copy of the pertinent parts of this Exemption. This 

information will be retained in the Flight Operations Manual (FOM). 

-Dispatchers will receive training on this Exemption and the details of the 

Exemption will be published in the FOM. 

7 December 2010 IQ 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Condition 9: 

Operations under this Exemption are permitted but not required. 

-Utilization of this Exemption is at the discretion of the Captain, Dispatcher and if 

necessary, based on the risk assessment form, the Director of Flight Operations. 

Condition 10: 

Pinnacle Airlines may use this Exemption in operations to airports within the 48 

contiguous States and District of Columbia, and from outside those boundaries provided 

OPSpec A012 is maintained and operations are conducted in accordance with the 

appropriate provisions of that OpSpec. 

-The Dispatch training material and FOM clearly limit the use of this Exemption 

to airports in the contiguous 48 States, District of Columbia and from airports 

outside these regions into airports in the 48 contiguous States and District of 

Columbia. 

Condition 11: 

Pinnacle Airlines will provide the Administrator, by the IS"' of each month, reports that 

include the information listed below, during the preceding calendar month. 

A. The total number of flights operated by Pinnacle Airlines under domestic rules 

to destinations within the 48 contiguous states and District of Columbia; 

B. The total number of flights operated under this Exemption, including those 

flights conducted under the appropriate provisions and limitations of OpSpec 

A012. For each flight operated, the dates, airport pairs, flight numbers, aircraft 

M/M/S, trended or geographical summary of flight planned fuel vs. actual 

arrival fuel, and contingency fuel must be listed. Report format will be in 

chronological order by fleet type; 

C. The total number of flights that divert to an alternate airport; 

D. The total number of flights that divert to an alternate airport that are operated 

under this Exemption, and the reason for each diversion, such as weather 

conditions, mechanical problem, fuel quantity, passenger problem, air traffic, 

Crewmember, or any other reason. Pinnacle Airlines must fully document each 

diversion; 

7 December 2010 H 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

E. The total number of flights, operated under this Exemption, that declare an 

emergency and the reason for such declaration, or during which flight a low fuel 

state occurs that results in actions being taken by ATC and/or Dispatch to 

provide priority handling, even if no emergency is declared. 

-The Dispatch training program has specific details on how to comply 

with the provisions of Condition 11. To comply with Pinnacle's policy to 

"Never Compromise Safety", we will track these requirements by 

requiring the Dispatcher to fill out a Risk Assessment Tool prior to 

approval by the Duty Manager. The Duty Manager will review the Risk 

Assessment Tool and the details of the flight prior to approving the use 

of this Exemption. For marginal cases the Duty Manager will escalate 

the decision to the Director of Flight Operations for approval. The Duty 

Manager will then track this information on an Excel spreadsheet along 

with the results of the flight. This data will be compiled into a report to 

be sent to the FAA POI no later than the 15 of the month following the 

activity. 

Condition 12: 

Dispatch will not apply this Exemption when any of the following conditions exist: 

a. When any originally or normally scheduled dispatch shift is not filled for 

any reason: including sick calls, personal leave etc. 

b. When the Dispatcher is within six months of successfully completing their 

initial Competence Check. 

c. On a flight that has ACARS deferred. 

d. If the Pinnacle Airlines SOC is experiencing power or computer outages 

-This condition will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) 

under the 1-1-3 Exemption paragraph. 

Condition 13: 

Flight Movement Forecasts, Flight Operations Forecasts, and Turbulence Plots will be 

the only EWINS products considered when applying this exemption. 

7 December 2010 12 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

^ Dispatch 1-1-3 Exemption Training Material 

This training material will be presented to Dispatchers in a LMS format. The information 

included here is an extract of the information presented in LMS. The formatting of the 

material is different than the interactive LMS computer presentation, but the content is 

the same. 

7 December 2010 13 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

OBJECTIVES 

At the end of this course the student will be 

familiar with the following areas of this 

Exennption in the Ops Specs: 

• What flights the 1-1-3 Exennption applies 

To 

• What the 1-1-3 Exennption allows 

• The requirements for utilizing the 1-1-3 

Exemption 

• The documentation required when it is 

used 

7 December 2010 14 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

General Overview 

The 1 -1 -3 Exemption relates to the way the need for 

an alternate is determined. FAR 121.619 that all 

Dispatchers apply will still be in effect; however, on 

select flights we will be able to use this Exemption to 

lower these criteria. 

The decision making process starts in the planning 

phase and the decision to divert would ideally be 

made during the enroute phase of flight rather than 

waiting until a missed approach is made. 

That being said there are extensive requirements 

relating to the application of this exemption. 

7 December 2010 15 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Application 

This Exemption applies to flights that would 

also be eligible for CAT I landing minimums 

during the planning process. Specifically the 

flights must: 

• Have a Flight Crew that is CAT I qualified 

• Have an aircraft that is currently CAT I 

qualified 

• The airport must be CAT I qualified 

7 December 2010 16 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Destination alternate airports are selected and included on 

releases in accordance with the Company Operations 

Specifications and Federal Aviation Regulations Part 

121.619 

• Specifically, no alternate is required for Part 121 

operations if the destination weather is forecast 1 

hour before to 1 hour after ETA to be at least 2000 

foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility 

So what does the 1-1-3 Exemption allow? 

• With the 1-1-3 Exemption, no alternate is required 

for Part 121 operations if the destination weather is 

forecast 1 hour before to 1 hour after ETA to be at 

least 1000 foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility 

• Again, extensive requirements will have to 

be met when applying this Exemption 

For that reason, the 1-1-3 Exemption will only 

be used at the direction of the Duty Manager, or 

other SOC Dispatch Managers 

7 December 2010 17 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

There are 13 requirements that have to be met 

and we will cover each one in the following 

slides and how Pinnacle plans on meeting these 

requirements 

1) Each Pinnacle Dispatcher must have the 

ability to display the location of each flight 

within 3 minutes of real time. 

Flight Explorer provides the most accurate and 

reliable stream of air traffic data available in the 

industry. In fact, Flight Explorer Professional 

users receive individual aircraft updates every 

minute. The Flight Explorer client software that 

we run from our PCs receive updates from Flight 

Explorer's servers every 10 seconds. This 

means that you receive fresh air traffic data 

every 10 seconds. 

7 December 2010 18 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

2) The Dispatcher has the capability to overlay 

weather returns with an update rate of at least 

once every 5 minutes. 

Pinnacle meets this requirement by 

utilizing the Delta's version of flight 

explorer. 

• The base reflectivity radar in Delta's FE 

is from Unisys and updates every 5 

minutes. 

Additionally, the TP's are updated as needed or 

every 15 minutes. The echo tops product 

updates every 10 minutes. The single site radar 

update frequency is controlled by the National 

Weather Service and varies between 5 minutes 

and 12 minutes. 

7 December 2010 19 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

3) The Dispatcher must have a system that 

provides a display of the specific aircraft routing 

as assigned by air traffic control (ATC) and 

actual filed flight plan routing 

The Flight Explorer Analyze Routes 

Opens the Route Analyzer tool showing 

the planned, previous, and current 

routes of a particular flight. 

7 December 2010 20 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

4) The Dispatcher has a system which is able 

to display the locations of other airborne 

aircraft including aircraft of other operators. 

Flight Explorer provides the most accurate 

and reliable stream of air traffic data 

available in the industry. The data is based 

upon radar, satellite and other tracking 

information supplied by the FAA and other 

sources. Once Flight Explorer receives this 

data, it is processed and sent to the Flight 

Explorer client software via the Internet. 

7 December 2010 21 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

5) The Dispatcher has a system that provides 

a display of planned and actual fuel at regular 

intervals along the route and the difference 

between planned and actual fuel. 

To meet this requirement we will require 

position reports from pilots at top of climb, 

and every thirty minutes thereafter. The 

pilots will be reminded of this requirement 

in the release remarks. ''ALTERNATE 

WEATHER 1-1-3 EXEMPTION APPLIED, 

POSITION REPORTS REQUIRED." 

7 December 2010 22 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

6) The Dispatchers have alerts to special 

weather updates, changes in weather reports, 

forecasts and/or other significant weather 

related reports, and ensures that these can be 

relayed to Flight Crews in an expeditious 

manner. 

The DUI currently provides weather alerts 

for new METAR's, Specials, TAF's, and TP's 

to all Dispatchers. The system then 

automatically forwards TP's to any aircraft 

affected by them. The Dispatcher will be 

required to forward the new METAR's and 

TAF's via ACARS (radio patch when ACARS 

is unavailable) 

7 December 2010 23 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

7) The Dispatcher must have the ability to 

access the services of a qualified meteorologist 

whenever the Dispatcher believes that 

consultation is necessary to ensure safety of 

operations under this Exemption. The presence 

of an approved ''Enhanced Weather Information 

System" satisfies this requirement. 

Our EWINS program provides the 

Dispatcher with access to the meteorology 

department. This EWINS program is on our 

Operations Specification AOIO and is 

detailed in the Pinnacle Airlines EWINS 

Manual. 

7 December 2010 24 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

8) The Dispatcher has the capability to 

expeditiously re-compute projected time of 

arrival from a "point aloft" to the intended 

destination in the event conditions occur that 

negatively impact the flight. 

The DUI allows us to easily re-calculate a 

flight from any point on the flight plan or 

the aircraft's present position (lat/long 

from the last radar contact) to the 

destination, alternate, or a diversionary 

airport. This re-calculation may then be 

sent by ACARS (radio patch if ACARS is 

unavailable) directly to the aircraft with 

any new routing, burns, times, ETA, etc... 

7 December 2010 25 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

9) The Dispatch release will contain a 

statement for each flight Dispatched under this 

Exemption that states "ALTERNATE WEATHER 

1-1-3 EXEMPTION APPLIED." 

The DUI will have a predefined remark for 

this so that all Dispatchers will have one 

standardized remark. This pull down list of 

remarks allows the Dispatcher to simply 

click on the appropriate remark to be 

added to the release. 

7 December 2010 26 
r 

Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

10) Operations are not permitted under this 

Exemption at any airport with thunderstorms 

reported or forecast (main body, conditional 

statement, or remarks section) from 1 hour 

before through 1 hour after the estimated time 

of arrival. Furthermore, Pinnacle Airlines will 

not use Exemption 3585 in conjunction with 

any operation conducted under this Exemption. 

Operations under this Exemption will only 

be conducted by direction from an SOC 

Manager. Dispatchers must have all flights 

operated under this Exemption approved 

by the Duty Manager prior to release. The 

Duty Manager will review the details of all 

flights operated under this Exemption prior 

to approval. For flights where the risks as 

determined from a Risk Assessment Tool 

fall between 12 and 18, the Decision will be 

escalated up to the Director of Flight 

Operations for approval. 

7 December 2010 27 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

11) Pinnacle Airlines will provide the 

administrator, by the 15^*^ of each month, 

reports that include the information from the 

preceding calendar month, including: 

a. The total number of flights 

operated by Pinnacle Airlines under 

domestic rules to destinations within 

the 48 contiguous states and District 

of Columbia; 

This will be a simple report pulled out 

of Flight Trac. 

7 December 2010 28 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

b. The total number of flights 

operated under this Exemption, 

including those flights conducted under 

OpSpec A012. This report will include 

the dates, airport pairs, flight 

numbers, aircraft M/M/S, trended or 

geographical summary of flight 

planned fuel vs. actual arrival fuel, and 

contingency fuel must be listed. Report 

format will be in chronological order by 

fleet type. 

To comply with Pinnacle's policy to 

"Never Compromise Safety" we will 

track these requirements by requiring 

the Dispatcher to fill out a Risk 

Assessment Tool prior to approval by 

the Duty Manager. The Duty Manager 

will review the Risk Assessment Tool 

and the details of the flight prior to 

approving the use of this Exemption. 

For marginal cases, the Duty Manager 

will escalate the decision to the 

Director of Flight Operations for 

approval. The Duty Manager will then 

track this information on an Excel 

spreadsheet along with the results of 

the flight. 

7 December 2010 29 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

c. Every diversion must be fully 

documented, and the total number of 

flights that divert to an alternate 

airport. 

d. As well as, the total number of 

flights that divert under this 

Exemption, the reason for each 

diversion, such as weather conditions, 

mechanical problem, fuel quantity, 

passenger problem, air traffic, 

Crewmember, or any other reason, 

must also be documented. 

These will require a simple report 

pulled up in world flight. 

7 December 2010 30 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

e. The total number of flights 

operated under this Exemption that 

declare an emergency and the reason 

for such declaration, or during which 

flight a low fuel state occurs that 

results in actions being taken by ATC 

and/or Dispatch to provide priority 

handling, even if no emergency is 

declared, is also required to be 

tracked. 

This will also be tracked by the Duty 

Manager on an Excel spreadsheet. 

7 December 2010 31 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

12) Dispatch will not apply this Exemption 

when any of the following conditions exist: 

a. When any originally or normally scheduled 

dispatch shift is not filled for any reason: 

including sick calls, personal leave etc. 

b. When the Dispatcher is within six months 

of successfully completing their initial 

Competence Check. 

c. On a flight that has ACARS deferred. 

(Reference is made in some material 

pertaining to this exemption that if ACARS is 

unavailable you may use a radio patch for 

communication, this is only to allow 

communications when an ACARS failure has 

occurred after block out on a flight using this 

exemption. In no case shall a flight operating 

under this exemption be initiated without 

operable ACARS) 

The Duty Manager and each individual 

Dispatcher will be responsible for adhering to 

these limitations. 

7 December 2010 32 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

The 1-1- 3 Exemption 

Requirements 

13) Flight Movement Forecasts, Flight 

Operations Forecasts, and Turbulence 

Plots will be the only EWINS products 

considered when applying this 

exemption. 

The Duty Manager and each individual 

Dispatcher will be responsible for adhering to 

these limitations. 

7 December 2010 33 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 Exemption Test 

You are about to enter the test area of this 

presentation. You are only allowed two attempts to 

pass the test associated with this presentation. After 

which you will be locked out. 

• You must score a minimum of 80% to pass. 

• Once you start the test you will not be able to 

go back and review the material. 

• Attempting to do so will register a second 

attempt on the test. 

• If you would like to review the material before 

attempting the test you may do so now by 

clicking on the button labeled "Review". 

• Click "Next" to begin the test. 

7 December 2010 34 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

SUMMARY 

If you failed your first test you 

may repeat the training now by 

clicking the Try Again button. 

Once you have reached the end of 

the presentation please click next 

and wait for the presentation to 

disappear. 

Please wait for 10 seconds after the 

presentation has disappeared to 

close the screen. This will ensure 

that the LMS system has had time 

to record the course and that you 

get proper credit. 

Thank you for your continued professionalism and 

as always, stay safe! 

Forward any suggestion or Questions to the Program 

Manager 

Thanks! 

7 December 2010 35 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Reporting Procedure for the 1-1-3 Exception 

For reporting purposes, a spreadsheet will be maintained in the SOC folder on the 

Pinnacle Airlines server. If a flight has been approved to operate under 1-1-3 Exemption, 

the duty manager will fill in the following fields for that flight: 

- Flight Date 

Flight Number 

Origin 

Destination 

Aircraft Make 

Aircraft Model 

Aircraft Serial Number 

Planned Fuel 

Contingency Fuel 

Actual Arrival Fuel 

- Diversion City (If Applicable) 

Reason for Diversion 

Emergency Declared (Y/N) 

Reason for Emergency (If Applicable) 

No later than the 10'*^ of the following month. Performance Engineering will send a report 

to the Duty Manager which includes (1) the total number of flights operated under 

domestic rules to destinations within the contiguous States and D.C., and (2) the total 

number of flights that diverted to an alternate airport. 

The Duty Manager will then input these totals in the aforementioned spreadsheet. The 

Duty Manager will also count (1) the total number of flights operated under this 

Exception, including those conducted under OpSpec A012, (2) the total number of flights 

operated under this Exception that diverted, and (3) the total number of 1-1-3 Exemption 

flights that declared an emergency. The Duty Manager will then input these counts into 

their respective places on the report spreadsheet. 

Once the spreadsheet is complete, the Duty Manager will send the spreadsheet to the 

Administrator, ensuring that it is done so BEFORE the 15"^ of the following month. 

7 December 2010 36 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Spreadsheet for Tracking Exemption Statistics 

Monthly 1-1-3 Exemption Report 

Total Number of Flights' 

Total Number of 1-t-3 Eiemption Fights^ 

Total Numbei o l DiveisioBS 

Total Number ol 1-1-3 Eiemplioii Fight Dhicrsions 

Total Number of 1-1-3 Etemption FBi^its Declaring an Emecgenc| 

Flight 

Date 

Flight 

Numbe Origin 

Alter al 

tTw e 

Aircraf 

t Serial Planned 

Fuel 

Contingenc 

I Fuel 

Actual 

Arrival 

Fuel 

Diversio 

n Citi |lf 

ADDlicab 

Reason 

for 

Diuersi 

Emergen 

Oeelafed 

ftoason 

for 

'Op(r«t»d und»r domestic rules to destinations wkliin tite contiguous Statts and D.C. 

"Includes (lights conducted under OpSpec AXrtZ 

7 December 2010 37 
r 

Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Reporting Procedure for Weather Products Relating to 

the 1-1-3 Exception 

For reporting purposes, a spreadsheet will be maintained in the SOC folder on the 

Pinnacle Airlines server. This spreadsheet will log any instance when a FMF forecast 

was used. 

The Director SOC is responsible for maintaining this document. The spreadsheet will be 

retained for a minimum of 90 days for FAA review upon request. 

7 December 2010 38 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Spreadsheet for Tracking Weather Products Relating to 

the 1-1-3 Exemption 

Pinnacle Airlines 1-1-3 Exemption Weather Product Tracking Form 

I Turbulence Plots are used on each flight l^^ » - '>'»^^^^^S0''<^^M^^^ 

I Operations Forecasts are used on each flight to or from a hub stalron 

t K/lovement Forecasts (FMF's) are flight specific, when used they are recorded on this spreadsheet 

7 December 2010 39 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

r 

Communications and Technical Capabilities 

The following material contains excerpts from the Pinnacle Airlines' Flight Operations 

and SOC Standardization Manuals regarding our capabilities to communicate 

information, including weather, between Dispatch and Pilots. 

7 December 2010 40 
^ 

Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

PINNACL E Revision: 08 

A ' -< ' I '^' f 5 . N c Date: 28 Jun 2010 

Chapter 6: Communication 

Communications and Navigation Facility 

Requirements 

14 CFR: 

14 CFR: 

CEME: 

121.103(a) 

121.607(a-b) 

N2 

121.121(a) 

121.609 

121.121(b)(3) 

NOTE: 

No flight operation is dispatched over an approved route or route 

segment unless sufficient current weather information is available to 

the Aircraft Dispatcher and Flight Crew. This is accomplished by 

access to the FAA approved weather information provided to SOC. 

Sufficient origin, enroute, and destination navigation and 

communication aids must be functional to meet Company and 

Federal regulations. Each Aircraft Dispatcher examines the 

NOTAMs for the route to determine that all required navigational 

facilities are operational. The communications facilities described in 

the subsequent sections below must be available and satisfactory. 

ACARS Scope and Background 

14 CFR: 

14 CFR: 

CEME: 

121.99(a-b) 

121.609 

N2 

121.127(a)(2) 

121,711 

ACARS, (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System) is a 

datalink system which allows the exchange of textual ground-to-air/air-toground information via VHF radio transmission. The ACARS system was 

developed by an organization named ARINC (Aeronautical Radio, Inc.) and 

is comprised of many VHF stations throughout the world. The ACARS 

system automatically connects to these VHF stations, which allows 

correspondence of data between Dispatch and aircraft. By automating the airto-ground information exchange, user workload is reduced. The following are 

examples of how the ACARS system is used: 

• Aircraft Out, Off, On and In (OOOI) times 

• Fuel loading 

• Performance data 

Flight Operations Manual 6-1 

7 December 2010 41 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption 

Revision: 08 

Date: 28 Jun 2010 

Weather data 

• Parking gates 

^ 

Petition 

PINNACL E 

A t R I 1 N f S IN C 

Flight Operations Manual 

• Personalized text messaging 

Personalized ACARS messages can be transmitted to dispatch using the FMS 

keypad. Pinnacle uses this ACARS text message feature as the primary 

means of communication between pilot and dispatcher. 

Batphone Scope and Background 

Dial Access Aeronautical Voice (DAAV) Communications; commonly 

referred as the "Batphone" system, is a method of creating an audible voice 

link between Dispatch and company aircraft. The Company DAAV 

(Batphone) system is separate from the ARINC network. VHF reception is 

only available within 125-200 run of company stations which have a 

Batphone repeater installed. Access to the Batphone system can be achieved 

by dialing up the appropriate code on the Dual-tone Multifi-equency (DTMF) 

keypad. The Batphone network, where available and when installed, is 

considered the secondary method of air-to-ground enroute communications. 

To initiate a call while at altitude, first select the assigned Batphone 

frequency. Using the DTMF keypad, encode the 3 letter station ID e.g. ROA, 

followed by zero (0) and 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6. The 01 through 06 

determines which of the six phones will ring at Dispatch; however. 

Dispatchers are able to answer the call from any phone. 

To initiate a call from the ground, select the assigned frequency and key the 

DTMF mic quickly 4 times within 5 seconds. It is reconmiended that crews 

not use the ground procedure while airborne because this will cause all 

Batphone repeaters in range to ring into the SOC simultaneously. 

When unable to contact Dispatch via ACARS within a reasonable amount of 

time (approx. 5 minutes), the Batphone system becomes the preferred method 

of communication. A current coverage area map is included in the LIDO 

Route Facility Chart (RFC) set, under the "SAI" tab. 

If unable to contact Dispatch via Batphone and ACARS, use the alternative 

method described below. Also, please file a Flight Safety/Flight Comm 

Report with the details of the event (i.e. flight number, location. Airport I.D., 

frequency, DTMF sequence, altitude, and heading). 

6-2 Chaptsr 6: Communication 

7 December 2010 42 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

/ ^ ' 

I N N A C 1. E 

> R I 1 N f S . IN C 

Flight Operations Manual 

Revision: 

Date: 

08 

28 Jun 2010 

Alternative to the Batphone 

In cases where the Batphone reception may be out of range, an alternative 

may be used. The ARINC network is able to provide air-to-ground voice 

communications, in a similar way to the Batphone network, while flying 

anywhere in North America. The ARINC voice feature may only be used 

as a backup when Batphone is unavailable, and is considered the lastresort method of obtaining air-to-ground enroute communications. The 

ARINC frequencies must be selected manually, and the connection to a 

Dispatcher may take slightly longer. Below is a map listing of the 

frequencies used to make an ARINC voice connection. 

128.900 

Figure 6-1: ARINC Frequencies 

To initiate a call, select the frequency of the ARINC sector nearest the 

aircraft, using COM 2. Call initiation is the same on the ground as in the 

air. 

Monitor the frequency for use. If the channel is clear, key the mic and 

encode "FLG" + "01" through "06" + "#". Dispatch has 6 available lines 

that can accept the ARINC call, and any available dispatcher can answer 

Chapter 6: Communication 6-3 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Revision: 08 //>< J i N N A c L E 

//NAIftLINES.IN C 

Date: 28 Jun 2010 pwght Operations Manual 

it. The call may take up to 5 seconds to connect. Example: FLG01# 

through FLG06# ("354"+"0!"+"#" through "354"+"06"+"#") are all 

valid sequences. (Be sure to include the "#" symbol at the end.) 

In cases where the DTMF keypad is deferred or inoperable, verbal 

instructions must be given to an ARINC operator to contact Dispatch. 

Refer to the LIDO RFC, under the SAI tab for more details. 

If the ARINC call was unsuccessful, please file a Flight Safety/Flight 

Comm Report with the details. Dispatch may perform other checks to 

determine the reason for unsuccessful attempts. 

JVOTEARINC is not a private network, and may be busy servicing other 

airlines (Any aircraft in the vicinity may use ARINC to call their 

company). During busy periods, initial calls may be answered by a 

recording. If not answered within 1 minute, call again on the same 

frequency, and stay on the frequency at least 3 minutes. If not 

answered within 3 minutes, call on an adjacent area frequency using 

the above procedures. In many locations, overlapping coverage 

exists. 

Communications Log 

14 CFR: 121.711 

CEME: K16 

All Company communications between the aircraft. Station and SOC is 

recorded. 

Communications with the SOC is normally recorded, and 

cottmiunication between the aircraft and Station is recorded on a log. A 

log is also used as a back up in the SOC should the voice recording 

system fail. 

6-4 Chapter 6: Communication 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Revision: 

Date: 

08 

16 Aug 2010 ^ 

PINNACL E 

AIRLINES , IN C 

SOC Standardization Manual 

Customer Service 

You are in a customer service role, constantly talking with pilots and station personnel. Even in the 

most stressful of times you must remain calm and professional. The expectation of the dispatch 

position is to be the "level head on the ground" and this should be demonstrated via phone and radio 

communications. When a call comes in for you, answer the phone with Dispatch, and your name 

("Dispatch, Chris"). Make sure to be polite and courteous at all times and remember your goal is to 

help with the situation. 

Although we do not deal directly with the passengers they are also indirectly our customers. You are 

relied upon for accurate and up-to-date information and you must be prepared to respond in a 

professional manner. During stressful times you will likely experience a phone call from an aggravated 

customer. Please remember that even if they are argumentative, accusatory, rude or even abusive, you 

still need to remain professional with them and address things in an appropriate manner to accomplish 

the end result of having the flight depart safely and as on-time as possible with as many passengers as 

possible. 

If you do have an issue with a caller, please do what you can to get them the information they need to 

service our passengers without escalating the situation by remaining calm and professional. If the 

situation does not seem to be improving, elevate it to the Duty Manager. After that is taken care of, email the Manager, Dispatch describing the situation and include your sector number and time of the 

event and it will be addressed as appropriate. 

Foul language, insubordination, yelling, or any other inappropriate display of anger/frustration will not 

be tolerated. Disciplinary action up to and including tennination could result. 

On the topic of customer service, remember the entire reason for your job is to get the passengers to 

their destinations as safely and on-time as possible. Keep that in mind when choosing fuel loads and 

making alternate selections. Safety first, but we always remember we are in business for our 

passengers. 

ACARS and Radio Communications 

14 CFR: 121.99(a) 121.99(b) 

Also reference FOM Ch. 6 and 13 

121.127(a)(2) 121.609 

ACARS is the primary form of communication between the aircraft and the SOC. Crew Schedulers or 

Trackers may request the Dispatcher of a flight to send a message to a crew, limited to two messages, 

per flight, related to contacting Crew Scheduling. It is required the Dispatcher verify the flight is in a 

phase of flight where an ACARS message will not interfere with sterile cockpit. It is also required that 

the Dispatcher send the message only if it is safe to send. If not, the Dispatcher must follow up with 

the Scheduler/Tracker. 

ACARS is a public record. All conversations transmitted via ACARS can be used for a multitude of 

reasons at the company request. ACARS is intended for communications that are operationally 

pertinent. Using ACARS for comniunications that are not operationally pwrtinent may result in 

disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Radio communication is also available for all 

aircraft, especially aircraft that are ACARS inoperative. 

6-4 Chapter 6: Dispatch 

7 December 2010 45 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Flight Operations l\/lanual l\/laterial 

The following material will be added to the Flight Operations Manual (FOM) in section 7 

after "Exemption 3585" when Pinnacle Airlines is approved for this Exemption. 

7 December 2010 46 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 Exemption 

The 1-1-3 Exemption allows us to utilize lower weather requirements for alternate planning if multiple 

conditions are met. This Exemption will be used to reduce fuel usage while maintaining the highest 

standard of safety. 

This Exemption allows for a flight to be dispatched without an alternate as long as the following conditions 

are met: 

-The forecast for the period 1 hour before until 1 hour after anticipated arrival time at the 

destination must be equal to or better than, a ceiling of 1000 feet and a visibility of 3 statute miles. 

-A risk assessment tool for each specific flight will be completed by Dispatch before utilizing this 

Exemption. 

- Operations are not permitted under this Exemption at any airport at which thunderstorms are 

reported or forecast from 1 hour before through 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival if such 

reports or forecasts are in either or both the main body or the remarks section of the weather report 

or weather forecast. Furthermore, you may not use Exemption 3585 in conjunction with any 

operation conducted under this Exemption. 

-Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those destination airports in the 48 

contiguous States and the District of Columbia. 

-Operations under this Exemption will be limited to only those airports at which an operable 

Category (CAT) I instrument landing system is available for use. 

-This Exemption will apply to the CL-65-2B19 and CL-65-2D24 fleet. 

-Both cockpit Crewmembers must be fully trained and current in Category I approach operations 

-The aircraft must be fully capable of conducting Category I instrument approach procedures. 

-Captains with less than the requisite minimum hours specified in 14 CFR 121.652 may not 

operate under this Exemption 

-Pilots are required to make position reports upon reaching top of climb, and every 30 minutes 

thereafter, updating Dispatch with position and fuel information. 

-This Exemption must be noted on the flight release 

-Dispatch will not apply this Exemption when any of the following conditions exist: 

a. When any originally or normally scheduled dispatch shift is not filled for any 

reason: including sick calls, personal leave etc. 

b. When the Dispatcher is within six months of successfully completing their 

initial Competence Check. 

c. On a flight that has ACARS deferred. 

d. If SOC is experiencing a power outage 

There are many tracking and reporting requirements for Dispatch when utilizing this Exemption. Thorough 

communication between Pilots and Dispatch is critical to the successful utilization of this Exemption. The 

position report requirement must be followed when using this Exemption. ACARS is the primary means by 

which to make these reports. In the event of ACARS failure, any other approved means of communicating 

with Dispatch is acceptable. 

7 December 2010 47 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Risl< Assessment Tool 

The risk assessment tool on the following page will be used by SOC to determine 

whether the use of this Exemption is appropriate for each individual flight. 

7 December 2010 48 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

^W^M^iv^^^. 

Date: 

Release/Trip#:. 

Departure:_ 

Destination: 

Risk 

Value 

Flight 

Value 

Corrected 

Value 

lions and Expe 

First Officer with less than 200 hours in type 

Captain with less than 300 hours in type 

Captain with less than 100 hours in last 90 days 

Duty day greater than 12 hours 

Flight time projected to exceed 8 hours in the duty day 

Pop up trip (Less than 4 hours crew notification) 

Crew Rest (Last rest peiod was Reduced Rest) 

Conducting New Hire OE N/F 

Conducting Capt. OE N/F 

10 More than 4 legs In duty period 

11 

Total Factor Score - Section 1 

The forecast at the end of the period from 1 hour before ETA until 1 hour after 

ETA has a lower visibility and/or ceiling than at the beginning of the period. 

N/F 

12 The forecast at the end of the period from 1 hour before ETA until 1 hour after 

ETA has the same visibility and/or ceiling as at the beginning of the period. 

13 The current surface observation at the destination has a lower ceiling and/or 

visibility than the next previous surface observation. ETE greater than 1 Hour 

14 The current surface observation at the destination has a lower ceiling and/or 

visibility than the next previous surface observation. ETE less than 1 Hour 

N/F 

15 The current surface observation at the destination has the same ceiling and/or 

visibility as the next previous surface observation. 

16 Surface winds greater than 17 knots at destination N/F 

Total Factor Score - Section 2 

17 MEL/CDL (Items affecting CAT 1 operations) 

18 MEL7CDL (Non Cat 1 related items affecting safety of flight) 

Total Factor Score - Section 3 

Totals 

N/F 

3 

00-12 Risk Acceptable 

12-18 Director of Operations IMust Approve 

18+ Unacceptable Risk 

* If any Flight Value on this form is N/F, operations 

under this Exemption are not allowed.* 

"Flight Value" is the value associated with any risk factor on the flight. "Corrected Value" is the 

value associated with any risk factor after changes have been made, or occur, which alter the 

initial "Flight Value." For example, if the "Flight Value" for line ten was initially five, but the crews 

schedule was changed to include only three legs in their duty period, the "Corrected Value" would 

now be zero. 

The header and items 11-18 of this form will be completed by the Dispatcher. Items 1-10 and 

totaling the values on the form will be completed by the SOC Duty Manager. 

7 December 2010 49 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

Pilot Training l\/laterial: 

The following PowerPoint presentation will be administered to all pilots in initial and 

recurrent training. 

7 December 2010 50 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 I Exemption 

This Exemption provides a new 

capability allowing Pinnacle to 

deviate from the current 1-2-3 (1 hour 

before or after, 2000' ceiling, 3SM 

visibility, FAR 121.619) alternate rule 

in some very specific situations. 

7 December 2010 51 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

7 December 2010 52 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

J-1-3 I vxeinptioii 

-The intent of the 1 -1 -3 Exemption is to 

allow us to save fuel by not requiring 

alternates in situations where we can 

operate with Category I approaches, in 

stable or improving weather conditions. 

-These savings can be accomplished 

while maintaining the same or higher level 

of safety than in normal situations. 

7 December 2010 53 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 llxeiiiptio n 

The 1-1-3 Exemption allows us to 

operate with forecast weather at the 

destination as low as 1000' ceiling 

and 3 SM visibility for one hour before 

or after the estimated time of arrival 

H//r/-/OL/T requiring an alternate. 

7 December 2010 54 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 1 .xcniption 

In exchange for being able to lower 

the 1-2-3 rule to 1-1-3, there are 

numerous requirements that must be 

met. Most of these requirements are 

S.O.C. and dispatcher functions, but 

some are pilot requirements. 

r 

7 December 2010 55 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 I vxeniption 

The 1-1-3 Exemption may be used only on 

flights meeting all the following 

requirements: 

-CRJ-200 or CRJ-900 aircraft which is Category I 

capable 

-Category I capable Aircrew 

-Destination airport has at least one operable 

Category I approach 

7 December 2010 56 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 lixcmprion 

-Pilot s operating under the 1 -1 -3 

Exemption are required to provide a 

Dosition report at top of climb and every 

thirty minutes thereafter. These position 

reports must include current fuel status. 

-These reports provide dispatch with some of 

the information they require to closely 

monitor the flights progress. 

7 December 2010 57 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 Mxcniption 

-This enhanced monitoring from dispatch 

is intended to allow for early decisions to 

deviate, in case the weather or airport 

status at the destination deteriorates. 

- Remember, you will be operating without 

an alternate when dispatched under this 

Exemption, so an early decision to deviate 

if necessary is critical. 

7 December 2010 58 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 1 exemptio n 

Flights operating under this Exemption will 

have the following statement as a remark 

on the flight release: 

ALTERNATE WEATHER 

EXEMPTION 1-1-3 APPLIED." 

7 December 2010 59 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 l^xcniption 

As part of the flight planning process, 

Dispatcher's are required to complete 

a separate Risk Assessment for each 

flight operated under this Exemption. 

7 December 2010 60 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

I 

1-1-3 1 ^xcniption 

-The risk assessment provides a tool for gauging 

the risks associated with utilizing reduced 

alternate requirements. 

-Some of the factors included in the assessment 

include: pilot experience, current weather, 

weather trend, duty times, training in progress, 

aircraft capability, approach suitability and 

availability, etc. 

7 December 2010 61 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 llxeniptioii 

-When operating under this Exemption, Pilot's 

must remain extra vigilant for changes in the 

weather or airport status at the destination. 

-If the destination is trending downward, an early 

decision to divert to a closer airport is a good 

choice. 

7 December 2010 62 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 1 Exemption 

-Because you will be operating without an 

alternate, proceeding to another airport after 

reaching the terminal area will obviously create 

a potentially serious fuel situation. 

-These situations should be avoided by carefully 

monitoring the weather and making proactive 

and early decisions to divert. 

7 December 2010 63 
Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

1-1-3 I .xcniptioii 

-Data and experience shows that proceeding to 

a diversion or alternate airport from cruise flight 

is much safer than proceeding to an alternate 

after executing a missed approach in a busy 

terminal environment. 

-By making the decision to deviate earlier, 

operations under this exemption may actually be 

safer than normal operations in many cases. 

7 December 2010 64 
r> 

Pinnacle Airlines 

FAR 121.619 Exemption Petition 

I 

1-1-3 1 exemption 

-Everyone must remember that under no 

circumstance is the utilization of this Exemption 

required 

-The Pilots, Dispatcher and SOC Duty Manager 

must all agree on the use of this Exemption 

-If you have any concerns or questions please 

contact your dispatcher and discuss the most 

appropriate, and safest course of action 

n 

7 December 2010 65