AERO AIR at the PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AIRPORT 2050 NE 25TH AVENUE HILLSBORO, OR 97124
TOLL FREE 800.448.2376 TEL 503.640.3711 FAX 503.681.6513 WWW.AEROAIR.COM

November5, 2012

Docket Management Facility US Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE West Building Ground Floor Room W12-140 Washington, DC 20590

Dear Sir

## I Maam: ; ;

ButlerAircraft Services held Exemptions for specific operations of DC-6 and DC-7 aircraft in the performance offire fighting duties. These exemptions were: Exemption 9463, 2745C (Docket# FAA-2003-15405): Exemption to operate DC-6 and DC-7 aircraft in aerial fire suppression operations at landing weights greaterthan the maximum landing weight forthe aircraft in T.B.M.'s operating limitations and up to the aircraft's design maximum landing weight. Exemption 10031A (Docket# FAA-2002-11937): To conduct ferry flights with one engine inoperative on its DC-6/DC-7 aircraft (registration numbers N401US, N6353C, N756Z, and N838D) without obtaining a special flight permitforeach flight. Exemption 10043A (Docket# FAA-2001-10283): To operate its Boeing Douglas DC-6 and DC-7 airplanes without aflight engineer duringflightcrew training, ferry operations, and testflights that are conducted to prepare forfirefighting operations carried out under 14 CFR part 137. Aero Air, LLC, dba as Erickson Aero Tanker, LLC, has acquired the assets of ButlerAircraft Services to include the DC-6 and DC-7 aircraft of ButlerAircraft Services. These aircraft will be operated on Aero Air's 14 CFR part 137 Firefighting Certificate (091G003Y). As such Aero Air, LLC requests these exemptions be approved and extended to ouroperation.
Please contact me atAero Air should you have any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,

# ~~- Steve Boyce Director of Maintenance Aero Air, LLCAERO AIR at the PORTLAND-HILLSBORO AIRPORT 2050 NE 25TH AVENUE HILLSBORO, OR 97124
TOLL FREE 800.448.2376 TEL 503.640.3711 FAX 503.681.6513 WWW.AEROAIR.COM

November

### 5, 2012

Docket Management Facility US Department ofTransportation 1200 NewJersey Avenue, SE West Building Ground Floor Room W12-140 Washington, DC 20590 Ref: Exemption 10031A, Regulatory Docket No. FAA 2002-11937

Dear Sir

## I Maam: Aero Air, LLC, the parent company ofCorsair 

### Two, LLC, has acquired the operating assets of Butler Aircraft Company (ButlerL which includes three DC-7 series aircraftfor use in firefighting activities. As a follow on to exemption 10031AAero Air, LLC requests this exemption be granted to Aero Air, LLC, the current owner/operatorofthe fire fighting aircraft identified below and included in the original exemption. In a letter dated December

### 5, 2009, ButlerAircraft Company, petitioned the Administrator ofthe FAA to exempt ButlerAircraft Company from the requirements ofCFR 91.611 by allowing Butlerto conduct Ferry Flights with one engine inoperative on its DC-7 aircraft, N401US (DC-7L N6353C (DC-7L and N838D (DC-7-B). This request was granted to Butler under Exemption No. 10031, dated March 12, 2010. Aero Air, LLC petitions forthis exemption to be transferred/assigned to Aero Air, LLC. The requirements oftest flight CFR 91.611 have already been proven forthis make and model ofaircraft. There should be no need to revalidate the capability ofthe aircraft or its' documentation as this has already been shown to the FAA forthese specific aircraft. Aero Air, LLC has an aggressive training program to facilitate the operation ofthese aircraft on fire fighting duties, several ofwhich are the same flight crew members who were covered underthe Butler exemption all ofwhich serve to meetthe capability and the conduct to conduct three engine ferry flights ofthe DC-7 series aircraft. The equivalent level ofsafety necessary to conduct three engine ferry flights is supported by Aero Air processes and procedures patterned after our part 135 operations. Each pilot has been provided adequate training underAero Air's training program to conduct three engine ferryflight operations. An entrywill be made in each pilot's log book to validate the authorization to perform three engine ferryflights forAero Air, LLC. Grantingthis exemption will allowforthe most expeditious means of locating an aircraft with one inoperative engine to the best location to perform the engine change without the need to waitforthe FAA to issue aferry permit. Should this need arise on aweekend or after hours significant hours can be

### saved thereby allowingthe aircraftto return to fire fighting duties in atimely manner. The abilityto quickly return the aircraftto fire fighting capability will enhance the abilityto save State lands and propertyfrom potential loss to fire. Adenial ofthis exemption would not be in the public interestfor economic and environmental reasons. Any delay in returning the aircraft to service due to extended periods oftime it may take to acquire a ferry permitfrom the FAA extends the risk for fire loss on State lands and potential real property destruction. These options negatively impactthe American taxpayers' bill forfire protection ofState Land areas.
Please contact me atAero Air should you have any additional questions or concerns.
Sincerely,

# ~~- Steve Boyce .' .c:;7-

# ~ Director of Maintenance Aero Air, LLC