# spiri t

airline s D-mRTMEN TO F ••v:ErOPERAT!CN 3 ! m 1 5 A-0:5 3
Decembe r17,201 0
Mr
. Joh n M.Alle n Director , Fligh tStandard s Servic e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n 80 0 Independenc e Avenue , S W Washington , DC 2059 1
Re : Petitio n fo rExemptio n fro m 1 4 CF R 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) Dea rMr
. Allen : Pursuan tt o Part1 1 o fth e Federa l Aviatio n Regulatio n ("FAR") , Spiri tAirline s Inc
. ("Spiri t Airlines" ) petition s th e Administrato rfo ra n exemptio n fro m 1 4 CF R 121.434(c)(l)(ii)
. Gran to fthi s exemptio n woul d permi tSpiri tAirline s t o substitut e a qualifie d an d authorize d Chec k Airma n o rAircre wProgra m Designe e (APD ) fo ra n FA AInspecto rt o observ e a qualifyin g Pilo tI n Comman d (PIC) , durin g a tleas ton e fligh tle g tha tinclude s a takeof fan d landing
. Spiri tAirline s woul d exercis e thi s exemptio n onl yi n accordanc e wit h th e condition s th e Administrato rhas attache d t o numerou s simila rrequests. ^ Exemptio n Requeste d Spiri tAirline s seeks a n exemptio n fro m 1 4 CF R 121.434(c)(l)(ii) , whic h provide s (i n part ) as follows : I n addition , i fa qualifyin g pilo ti n comman d i s completin g initia l o rupgrad e trainin g specifie d i n 121.424 , b e observe d i n th e performanc e o fprescribe d dutie s b ya n FA Ainspecto rdurin g a t leas ton e fligh tle g whic h include s a takeof fan d landing
. Relie fRequeste d Thi s petitio n request s relie ffro m 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) i n thos e circumstance s whe n a n FA Ainspecto ri s unavailable t o observ e a qualifyin g pilo ti n comman d durin g an yo fth e schedule d operatin g experienc e flights
. Th e requeste d exemptio n woul d b e subjec tt o th e followin g condition s an d limitations :

^ See
. e.g. , SouthwestAirline s Co
. (Exemptio n 7132 , Docke tFA AFAA-2002-11485) ; Tran s States Airlines , Inc
. (Exemptio n 8054 , DocketFAA-2002-12947) ; JetBlu e Airway s Corporatio n (Exemptio n 8099 , DocketFAA-2003- 15446) ; an d Alask

a Airlines , Inc
. (Exemptio n No
. 8743 , Docke tFAA-2006-24996)
.1
. Spiri tAirline s wil l submi tt o it s PO I a n estimat e o fth e numbe ro fPIC s completin g trainin g an d a pla n as t o ho wth e Initia l Operatin g Experienc e (lOE ) Observation s ar e t o occur . Thi s pla n woul d b e approve d byth e PO I prio rt o th e initiatio n o flO E Observation s b yqualifie d Chec k Airme n o rAPDs
. 2
. Spiri tAirline s wil l nominat e qualifie d Chec k Airme n o rAPDs t o perfor m thi s lO E Observation
. Th e FA

A(POI ) wil l approv e th e qualifie d Chec k Airme n o rAPDs t o conduc t Observatio n throug h a lette ro fauthorization
. 3
. Unde rth e exemptio n th e requiremen to fSectio n 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) wil l b e fulfille d i fth e observatio n i s performe d bya n FAA-authorize d Chec k Airma n o rAPD
. Th e Observatio n wil l b e documente d i n th e qualifyin g PIC s trainin g record
. 4
. Th e Chec k

Airma n o rAP D conductin g th e lO E Observatio n wil l alway s b e othe rtha n th e on e wh o i s conductin g th e operatin g experienc e o fth e qualifyin g pilot
. Justificatio n Th e origina l inten to f121.434(c)(l)(ii) , issue d almos t4 0 year s ago , wa s t o validat e th e trainin g a pilo t receive d i n a fligh tsimulator
. Since tha trul e wa s adopted , th e airlin e industr yhas ha d ove ra decad e o f experienc e wit h visua l simulator s followe d b ynearl ytw o decade s experienc e wit h highl yadvance d simulation
. Domesti cairline s hav e successfull ytraine d thousand s o fpilot s usin g sophisticate d advance d simulators
. Th e combine d experienc e o fth e airlin e industr yan d th e FAA , usin g advance d simulation , has mad e th e presen trul e partiall yobsolete
. Th e FA Ahas th e authorit yt o observ e an ypilo ta tan ytim e i twishes ; an d indee d th e FA Aroutinel ydoe s so . However , th e FA

Aconduct s thes e routin e observation s o n a schedul e th e loca l offic e sets , withou t th e burde n o fhavin g t o observ e a particula rpilo to n a specifi cflight , necessitate d b yth e airline' s trainin g schedule
. Relievin g FA Ainspector s fro m 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) wil l allo wth e FA At o focu s it s effort s o n highe rpriorit ysafet yconcerns . Costl ydelay s i n qualifyin g PI C fo rlin e operation s result s whe n th e airlin e i s require d t o wai tunti l th e FA Aca n observ e th e qualifyin g PIC
. I n som e instances , th e FA Ainspecto rma yno tb e qualifie d o n th e airplan e typ e bein g flown
. B yallowin g a Spiri tAirline s Chec k Airma n o rAP D wh o i s highl yqualifie d i n th e airplane , an d approve d byth e FA Afo rtha tduty , t o complet e th e lO E Observation , a greate rleve l o f scrutin yan d objectivenes s woul d b e provide d fo rth e qualifyin g PIC
. A tSpiri tAirlines , w e ar e poise d fo rmajo rgrowt h - wit h projecte d growt h t o doubl e th e flee tsiz e i n nex tfiv e years . W e anticipat e tha tw e wil l upgrad e 40-6 0 captain s eac h year . Gran to fthi s exemptio n would : 1
. Be wholl yconsisten twit h previou s exemptio n grante d i n simila rcircumstances
.2
. Allo wth e FA Agreate rflexibilit yan d bette rus e o fit s Inspector s byfocusin g o n highe rpriorit y safet yfunctions ; 3
. Allo wth e us e o fqualifie d pilot s immediatel yafte rcompletin g Operatin g Experience ; 4
. Allo wsignificantl yincrease d us e o fqualifie d pilot s an d improv e Spiri tAirlines ' abilit yt o provid e dependable , on-tim e ai rservic e t o th e public ; 5
. Reduc e th e unnecessar ycos to fwage s an d los tproductivit yfo rthos e qualifie d pilot s awaitin g thei rFA Aobservations ; an d 6
. Allo wth e travelin g publi cacces s t o Spiri tAirlines ' lo wcos tservic e a ta pac e consisten twit h th e deliver yo fit s additiona l A-32 0 aircraft ; allo wful l utilizatio n o fSpiri tAirlines ' flee tby insurin g adequat e qualifie d pilots ; an d allo wincrease d servic e t o previousl yunderserve d markets
. SafetvImpac t Gran to fthi s relie ft o Spiri tAirline s wil l no treduc e th e leve l o fsafet yprovide d byth e regulation , as th e Administrato rhas previousl ydetermine d i n simila rrequest s fo rrelief
. 1
. Th e Chec k

Airma n wil l b e highl ytraine d an d experience d wit h th e particula raircraf ttyp e an d wil l b e authorize d byth e FAA ; 2
. Th e Chec k

Airma n wil l onl yb e use d t o fulfil l Sectio n 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) whe n a qualifie d FA A Inspecto ri s no tavailable ; and , 3
. Th e FA

Amaintain s th e authorit yt o observ e an ypilo tan ytim e durin g lO E o ran yregula rlin e flight
. I n summary , th e requeste d exemptio n focuse s o n th e timel yan d competen tcompletio n o fth e observatio n fligh tan d bette rutilizatio n o fqualifyin g PICs
. Reques tfo rPublicatio n Waive r Spiri tAirline s respectfull yrequest s tha tth e Administrato rpromptl ygran tth e relie frequeste d herei n an d waiv e th e 120-da yadvanc e fillin g requiremen to fSectio n 11.63(d ) o fth e Federa l Aviatio n Regulations
. Thi s reques ti s consisten twit h numerou s simila rrequest s {see , e.g. , fn
. 1 ) whic h th e Administrato rhas previousl ygrante d as bein g i n th e publi cinterest
. I n addition , pursuan tt o Sectio n 11.87 , Spiri tAirline s request s tha tpublicatio n o fthi s exemptio n reques t i n th e Federa l Registe rb e waive d becaus e th e gran to fthi s exemptio n woul d no tb e preceden tsetting ; th e reaso n fo ran d condition s propose d ar e identica l t o exemption s alread ygranted ; th e dela ywoul d furthe rdisadvantag e a startu p carrie rattemptin g t o complet e i n highl ycompetitiv e markets ; an d simila r petition s hav e bee n publishe d i n Federa l Registe rwit h n o commen treceived
.I fpublicatio n is , however , required , pursuan tt o Sectio n 11.81(f) , Spiri tAirline s provide s th e followin g

summary : Summary Spiri tAirline s Inc
. Petitio n fo ra n Exemptio n Fro m 1 4 CF R 121.434(c)(l)(ii ) Spiri tAirline s Inc
. petition s fo ra n exemptio n fro m 1 4 CF R 121.434(c)(l)(ii) , t o permi ti tt o substitut e a qualifie d an d authorize d Chec k Airma n o rAircre wProgra m Designe e fo ra n FA A Inspecto rt o observ e a qualifyin g Pilo tI n Comman d wh o i s completin g initia l o rupgrad e trainin g specifie d i n Sec
. 121.42 4 durin g a tleas ton e fligh tle g tha tinclude s a takeof fan d a landing
. Shoul d yo u hav e an yquestion s o ri fyo u requir e additiona l informatio n abou tthi s request , pleas e d o no t hesitat e t o contac tme . Sincerely ,

Josep h THoughto n DO , V P o fFligh tOp s Spiri tAirlines , Inc
.Sub Qualifie dC Aor AP D for FA AInsp . Pag e1 o f 3 J u l2 2 201 0 Exemptio n No . 1010 2 Regulator yDocke t No . FAA-2010-063 1
Ms . Barbar a Russel l Associat e Genera l Counse l Virgi n America , Inc . 55 5 Airpor t Boulevard , 4t hFl . Burlingame , C A9 4 01 0 Dea r Ms . Russell : Thi s lette r i s t o infor myo u tha t w e hav e grante d you r reques t fo r exemption . I t transmit s ou r decision , explain s it s basis , an d give s yo u th e condition s an d limitation s o f th e exemption , includin g th e dat e i t ends . Th e Basi s o f Ou r Decisio n O n Jun e 14 , 2010 , yo u petitione d th e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behal f o f Virgi n America , Inc . (Virgin) , fo r a n exemptio n fro m§ 121.43 4 (c ) (1 ) (ii ) o f Titl e 14 , Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s (1 4 CFR ) t o th e exten t necessar yt o allo wVirgi n t o substitut e a qualifie d an d authorize d chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e fo r a n FA Ainspecto r t o observ e a qualifyin g pilo t i n comman d (PIC ) wh o i s completin g initia l o r upgrad e trainin g specifie d i n § 121.42 4 durin g a t leas t on e fligh t le g tha t include s a takeof f an d a landing . Th e FA Aha s determine d tha t goo d caus e exist s fo r no t publishin g a summar yo f th e petitio n i n th e Federa l Register . Th e requeste d extensio n o f th e exemptio n woul d no t se t a precedent , an d an ydela yi n actin g o n thi s petitio n woul d b e detrimenta l t o Virgin . Th e FA Aha s issue d a gran t o f exemptio n i n circumstance s simila r i n al l materia l respect s t o thos e presente d i n you r petition . I n Gran t o f Exemptio n No . 6473 , a s amende d (copyenclosed) , th e FA Afoun d tha t permittin g a limite d numbe r o f qualifie d an d authorize d chec k airme n t o conduc t certai n PI C observation s woul d benefi t th e publi c b yreducin g unnecessar ycost s tha t ma yinfluenc e th e pric e o f service s t o th e public . I t woul d als o improv e th e airline' s abilit yt o provid e on-time , dependabl e ai r service . I n addition , th e FA Afoun d tha t th e requeste d exemptio n woul d no t reduc e th e leve l o f safety , provide d tha t th e petitione r complie s wit hcertai n condition s an d limitations . Pleas e not e tha t th e candidat e reference d i n th e condition s an d limitation s i s th e qualifyin g PIC . Havin g reviewe d you r reason s fo r requestin g a n exemption , I fin d that
- * the yd o no t diffe r materiall yfro mthos e presente d b yth e petitione r i n th e enclose d gran t o f exemption ; https://webopss.faa.gov/Designator/Exemption/Exemption.aspx?ExemptionId=4590 0 11/22/201 0Su

b Qualifie dC Ao r

AP D for FA AInsp . Pag e2 o f 3
* th e reason s state d b yth e FA Afo r grantin g th e enclose d exemptio n als o appl yt o th e situatio n yo u present ; an d * a gran t o f exemptio n i s i n th e publi c interest . Ou r Decisio n Therefore , unde r th e authorit ycontaine d i n 4 9 U.S.C . 4011 3 an d 44701 , whic hth e FA

AAdministrato r ha s delegate d t o me , I hereb ygran t Virgi n America , Inc. , a n exemptio n fro m1 4 CF R § 121.434(c)(1)(ii ) t o th e exten t necessar yt o allo wVirgi n t o substitut e a qualifie d an d authorize d chec k airma n i n plac e o f a n FA Ainspecto r t o observ e a qualifyin g PI C wh o i s completin g initia l o r upgrad e trainin g specifie d i n § 121.42 4 durin g a t leas t on e fligh t le g tha t include s a takeof f an d a landing . Thi s exemptio n i s subjec t t o th e condition s an d limitation s describe d below . Condition s an d Limitation s 1 . AVirgi n chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e ma yconduc t a PI C observatio n i n plac e o f a n FA Ainspecto r when-
- a . Th e Administrato r preapprove s tha t substitutio n fo r eac hobservatio n o f a qualifyin g PI C candidate , thu s reservin g firs t righ t o f refusa l t o th e FA Ai n eac hcase . Virgin , therefore , mus t contac t a n appropriat e FA A office , i n eac hinstance , befor e substitutin g tha t chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra m

designee ; b . Th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e ha s complete d n o les s tha n 1 0 hour s o f supervise d operatin g experienc e (OE ) an d accomplishe d n o fewe r tha n tw o takeoff s an d landings ; an d c . Th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e i s performin g PI C dutie s durin g a complet e fligh t leg , includin g flightdec k preparation , befor e startin g engine s checklist , taxi , takeoff , al l othe r fligh t phases , landing , taxi , an d securin g checklist . 2 . Eac hVirgi n chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e conductin g a PI C observatio n i n plac e o f a n FA Ainspecto r must- - a . B e approve d b yth e Administrato r t o conduc t th e observation ; b . Hav e serve d a s a chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e fo r Virgi n fo r n o les s tha n 6 months ; an d c . No t supervis e th e O E o r conduc t th e initia l lin e chec k fo r th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e bein g observed . 3 . Virgi n mus t maintai n student , chec k airman , an d aircre wprogra m designe e record s tha t demonstrat e complianc e wit hth e condition s an d limitation s o f thi s exemption . Thi s exemptio n terminate s o n Jul y31 , 2012 , unles s soone r supersede d o r rescinded . Sincerely , /s / Bradle yD . Pearso n Actin g Director , Fligh t Standard s Servic e
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AFS-10-307- E

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Marc h12 , 201 0 Exemptio n No . 7252 E Regulator y Docke t No . FAA-2002-1159 5 Captai n Mar k P . Brow n Manager , Fligh t Standard s America n Eagl e Airlines , Inc . 460 1 Hwy36 0 North , M D 88 2 GSWF A For t Worth , T X 7615 5 Dea r Captai n Brown : Thi s lette r i s t o infor myo u tha t w e hav e grante d you r petitio n t o exten d Exemptio n No . 7252 , a s amended . I t explain s th e basi s fo r ou r decisio n an d describe s it s effect . Th e Basi s fo r Ou r Decisio n B ylette r poste d Februar y23 , 2010 , yo u petitione d th e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behal f o f America n Eagl e Airlines , Inc . (AEA) , fo r a n extensio n o f Exemptio n No . 7252 , a s amended . Tha t exemptio n fro m § 121.434(c)(1)(ii ) o f Titl e 14 , Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s permit s AE A t o substitut e a qualifie d an d authorize d chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra m designe e fo r a n FA Ainspecto r t o observ e a qualifyin g pilo t i n comman d (PIC ) wh o i s completin g initia l o r upgrad e trainin g specifie d i n § 121.42 4 durin g a t leas t on e fligh t le g tha t include s a takeof f an d a landing . I n you r petition , yo u indicat e tha t ther e ha s bee n n o chang e i n th e condition s an d reason s relativ e t o publi c interes t an d safet ytha t wer e th e basi s fo r grantin g th e origina l exemption . Th e FA Aha s determine d tha t goo d caus e exist s fo r no t publishin g a summar yo f th e petitio n i n th e Federa l Registe r becaus e th e requeste d extensio n o f th e exemptio n woul d no t se t a precedent , an d anydela yi n actin g o n thi s petitio n woul d b e detrimenta l t o AEA . Ou r Decisio n Th e FA Aha s determine d tha t th e justificatio n fo r th e issuanc e o f Exemptio n No . 7252 , a s amended , remain s vali d wit hrespec t t o thi s exemptio n an d i s i n th e publi c interest . Therefore , unde r th e authorit y provide d by4 9 U.S.C . 4011 3 an d 44701 , whic hth e FA AAdministrato r ha s delegate d t o me , I gran t you r petition , subjec t t o th e followin g condition s an d limitations . Condition s an d Limitation s 1 . A n AE Achec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e ma yconduc t a PI C observatio n i n plac e o f a n FA Ainspecto r when-
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a . Th e Administrato r preapprove s tha t substitutio n fo r eac hobservatio n o f a qualifyin g PI C candidate , thu s reservin g firs t righ t o f refusa l t o th e FA Ai n eac hcase . AEA , therefore , mus t contac t a n appropriat e FA A office , i n eac hinstance , befor e substitutin g tha t chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesignee ; b . Th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e ha s complete d n o les s tha n 1 0 hour s o f supervise d operatin g experienc e (OE ) an d accomplishe d n o fewe r tha n tw o takeoff s an d landings ; an d c . Th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e i s performin g PI C dutie s durin g a complet e fligh t leg , includin g flightdec k preparation , befor e startin g engine s checklist , taxi , takeoff , al l othe r fligh t phases , landing , taxi , an d securin g checklist . 2 . Eac hAE Achec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e conductin g a PI C observatio n i n plac e o f a n FA Ainspecto r must- - a . B e approve d b yth e Administrato r t o conduc t th e observation ; b . Hav e serve d a s a chec k airma n o r aircre wprogra mdesigne e fo r AE Afo r n o les s tha n 6 months ; an d c . No t supervis e th e O E o r conduc t th e initia l lin e chec k fo r th e qualifyin g PI C candidat e bein g observed . 3 . AE Amus t maintai n student , chec k airman , an d aircre wprogra mdesigne e record s tha t demonstrat e complianc e wit hth e condition s an d limitation s o f thi s exemption .

Th e Effec t o f Ou r Decisio n Ou r decisio n extend s th e terminatio n dat e o f Exemptio n No . 7252 , a s amended , t o Jun e 30 , 2 012 , unles s soone r supersede d o r rescinded . Sincerely , /s / Joh n W . McGra w Actin g Director , Fligh t Standard s Servic e

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