AFS-10-130-E 

February 19, 2010 

 Exemption No. 10011 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2001-9791 

Mr. Eugene A. Nock 

President 

NockAir Helicopter, Inc. 

3101 Lena Lane 

Sarasota, FL 34240 

Dear Mr. Nock: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption. 

The Basis for our Decision 

On April 14, 2009, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of 

NockAir Helicopter, Inc. (NockAir), for extension of Exemption No. 6685, as amended. 

That exemption from § 133.43(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 

allowed NockAir to use its helicopters to perform aerial trapeze acts without using an 

approved external-load attachment or quick-release device for carrying persons on a trapeze 

bar. That exemption, however, expired on September 30, 2009; therefore, we will treat your 

request as a new petition. Unfortunately, we overlooked this extension request in 

www.regulations.gov and apologize for any inconvenience. 

In your previously issued Grant of Exemption No. 5708, as amended (copy enclosed), the 

FAA noted that because of the relatively light weight of the trapeze artist and the 

configuration and placement of the trapeze equipment, the maneuverability of the helicopter 

would not be affected and safety would not be compromised by not having a quick-release 

device. In addition, the FAA found that the trapeze attachment and the weight of trapeze 

artist are directly in the middle of the center-of-gravity (CG) of the helicopter’s weight and 

balance, thus the CG would not affect the maneuverability of the helicopter. Therefore, the 

FAA has determined that an exemption from § 133.43(a) and (b) would not have an adverse 

affect on safety. 
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Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that— 

• they do not differ materially from those presented by the petitioner in the enclosed grant 

of exemption; 

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed exemption also apply to the 

situation you present; and 

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 40113 and 44701, delegated to 

me by the Administrator, NockAir Helicopter, Inc., is granted an exemption from 14 CFR 

§ 133.43(a) and (b) to the extent necessary to allow NockAir to use its helicopters to perform 

aerial trapeze acts without using an approved external-load attachment or quick-release 

device for carrying persons on a trapeze bar, subject to the following conditions and 

limitations: 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. NockAir may only use this grant of exemption for carrying person(s) who are 

practicing or performing trapeze acts in an airshow or a special event. 

2. Before carrying person(s) on the trapeze, NockAir must provide a copy of this grant 

of exemption to those persons. 

3. NockAir must inform the pilot that the trapeze equipment is not attached to the quickrelease device. 

4. Before each performance and practice of an aerial trapeze act, the pilot and trapeze 

artist(s) will discuss and agree on actions of the pilot and trapeze artist(s) on 

emergencies procedures. 
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5. NockAir may only exercise the privileges of this grant of exemption while within 

sterile areas that are not over person(s) or property on the surface that are not directly 

associated with the operations. 

This exemption terminates on March 31, 2012, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

Raymond Towles 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service 

Enclosure