May 5, 2015

Exemption No. 11474

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2010-1227

Mr. William Gant

Training Center Manager

SimCom International, Inc.

7860 East McClain Drive, Suite 1

Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Dear Mr. Gant:

This letter is to inform you that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants your 

request for exemption. This letter transmits our decision, explains its basis, and describes the 

exemption’s conditions and limitations, including the date the exemption expires.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated February 13, 2015, you petitioned the FAA on behalf of SimCom International,

Inc. (SimCom), air agency certificate number Q8PX038K, for an extension of Exemption No.

10209A.

1

That exemption granted relief from §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1)&(2) of Title 14 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), to the extent necessary to allow SimCom and 

operators of Cessna CE-500, 550, 552, and 560 model airplanes to operate those models 

without a second-in-command (SIC) pilot, provided those operators received training and 

testing from SimCom. The training and testing was performed under SimCom’s part 142 

training center air agency certificate. Although you requested an extension of Exemption 

No.10209A, that exemption expired on February 28, 2015. We are therefore issuing SimCom

a new exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to SimCom. You also 

indicate in your petition that there has been no change in the conditions underlying the public 

interest and safety findings that formed the basis for Exemption No. 10209A. 

 

1 A copy of Exemption No. 10209A is enclosed.
2

The FAA has granted exemptions to allow single-pilot operations of Cessna Citation model 

500 (CE-500) aircraft since 1984.2 As we describe in that exemption and others,3the Cessna 

Citation model 500 (CE-500) series airplane was initially type-certificated under part 25, 

requiring operation by two pilots, and some aircraft were later type-certificated under part 23,

for single-pilot operation. SomeCE-500 airplanes type certificated under part 23 and part 25 

are operationally similar. In light of these facts, the FAA has determined in prior exemptions

that permitting single-pilot operations of CE-500 airplanes type-certificated under part 25 

would meet an equivalent level of safety, and furthermore would be in the public interest 

because affected operators would have increased operating flexibility and therefore reduced 

economic burdens. In addition, although we grant this exemption to SimCom, a Simcomtrained pilot must comply with the conditions and limitations below whenever he or she 

operates a CE-500 aircraft without a second-in-command.

As with our prior exemptions of §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1)&(2), it is necessary to attach 

certain conditions and limitations. In an effort to standardize the relief provided to similarly 

situated parties, the FAA amends the conditions and limitations previously provided to 

SimCom through Exemption No. 10209A. And although the conditions and limitations

attached here are not a substantial change from our prior exemptions, all users should 

thoroughly review the revised conditions and limitations. The changes from SimCom’s prior 

conditions and limitations, previously attached to Exemption No. 10209A, are described 

below: 

We amend Condition/Limitation No. 8 to require an applicant seeking to obtain or renew a 

single-pilot authorization under this exemption to satisfactorily complete a proficiency check 

within 30 days rather than the initially required 10 days.

We amend Condition/Limitation No. 12 to require any SimCom flight instructor providing 

flight training under this exemption to satisfy the SimCom trainee requirements of 

Condition/Limitation No. 5(a),(b),&(c), including the requirement to have completed 

SimCom’s FAA-approved training program. Previously, Condition/Limitation No. 12

required SimCom flight instructors to meet the curriculum requirements of 

Condition/Limitation No. 6. This language may have caused confusion, because we 

effectively required a person to satisfy requirements describing a curriculum. This change 

therefore clarifies that any SimCom instructor operating under this exemption must complete 

the appropriate SimCom training course, and separately that the course must be conducted in 

accordance with the curriculum requirements of Condition/Limitation No. 6.

We remove Condition/Limitation No. 18 because it is not pertinent to SimCom. This deletion 

requires us to renumber Conditions and Limitations Nos. 19, 20, 21, and 22 as Conditions and 

Limitations Nos. 18, 19, 20, and 21, respectively, in this exemption.

 

2

See Exemption No. 4050 (copy enclosed).

3

See Exemption No. 9899, as amended; Exemption No. 7487, as amended; and Summary Grant of 

Exemption No. 6480, as amended (copies enclosed).
3

We amend Condition/Limitation No. 20, previously Condition/Limitation No. 21, to clarify 

our original intent and standardize the relief with similarly granted exemptions. The changes 

are nonsubstantive.

We add a new Condition/Limitation No. 22, to ensure pilots operating under this exemption 

do so only in aircraft configured for operation by a single pilot seated in the left pilot seat. 

We add a new Condition/Limitation No. 23, to ensure the approved training course authorized 

by this exemption may not be conducted under any business name other than SimCom.

Lastly, we add a new Condition/Limitation No. 24, to limit this exemption to operations 

within the United States. If SimCom wishes to operate under this exemption outside the 

United States, SimCom must include a specific request in its petition for exemption and 

provide the FAA with a reason for this use, in accordance with 14 CFR § 11.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant SimCom International, Inc. an exemption 

to the extent necessary to allow SimCom and operators of Cessna CE-500, 550, 552, and 560 

model airplanes to operate those models without a second-in-command (SIC) pilot, provided 

those operators received training and testing from SimCom, subject to the conditions and 

limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption applies to pilots operating Cessna Citation model 500, 550, S550, 552, 

and 560 airplanes who have successfully completed SimCom’s approved single-pilot 

authorization course and complied with all of the terms of this exemption.

2. This exemption is effective for the conduct of the required training and checking only 

if SimCom’s single-pilot training program receives and maintains approval under part 

142 from the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that has jurisdictional 

authority over SimCom’s part 142 training center certificate.

3. This exemption is effective only if it is listed in SimCom’s training specifications, 

paragraph A005.

4. This exemption applies to only operations conducted under part 91.

5. Each pilot conducting single-pilot operations under the terms of this exemption 

must—
4

a. Complete SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 CE-500 single-pilot curriculum 

before conducting such operations;

b. Hold an airline transport pilot certificate with a CE-500 type rating or a 

commercial pilot certificate with an airplane instrument rating and CE-500 type

rating before entering SimCom’s part 142 CE-500 single-pilot curriculum;

c. Have logged at least 1,000 hours of total pilot flight time, including at least 50 

hours of night flight time; 75 hours of instrument flight time, 40 hours of 

which are in actual instrument meteorological conditions; and 500 hours as 

pilot in command (PIC), second in command (SIC), or both, in turbinepowered airplanes;

d. Not perform any circling instrument approaches to minimums of less than 200 

feet and 1 mile above the published minimums until after completing 100 

hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 series airplanes; 

e. Not perform any straight-in instrument approaches to minimums of less than 

100 feet and one-half statute mile visibility above the published minimums 

until after completing 100 hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 

series airplanes;

f. Use a boom microphone; and

g. Use a fully functioning autopilot that is controllable about three axes and 

capable of approach coupling.

6. The CE-500 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal curriculum 

must include––

a. Ground instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a SimCom part 

142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimCom’s approved procedures) 

that covers at least the following aeronautical knowledge areas:

i. Safe and efficient operation of airplanes;

ii. Weight and balance computations;

iii. Use of performance charts;

iv. Significance and effects of exceeding airplane performance limitations;

v. Principles and functions of airplane systems;

vi. Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations; and
5

vii. Night and high-altitude operations.

b. Flight instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a SimCom part 

142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimCom’s approved procedures) 

that covers at least the following areas of operation:

i. Preflight preparation;

ii. Preflight inspection and procedures;

iii. Taxiing;

iv. Normal and crosswind takeoffs and departures;

v. In-flight maneuvers including configuration changes, approaches to stalls, 

and steep turns;

vi. Simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure if accomplished 

in a flight simulator);

vii. Instrument procedures;

viii. Precision and nonprecision approaches;

ix. Missed approaches;

x. Landings and approaches to landings;

xi. Normal and crosswind landings;

xii. Landing with a simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure if 

accomplished in a flight simulator);

xiii. Normal and abnormal procedures;

xiv. Emergency procedures; and

xv. Post-flight procedures.

7. The instruction required in Condition No. 6b may be completed in an approved flight 

simulator, qualified as––

a. A Level A or B flight simulator, provided the applicant satisfactorily 

accomplishes as part of the training program the following in-flight maneuvers 

and procedures as sole manipulator of the controls in a CE-500 series airplane:
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i. Exterior preflight inspection;

ii. Taxiing;

iii. Normal and crosswind takeoffs (minimum of three);

iv. Normal and crosswind approaches and landings (minimum of three);

v. Landing from a precision approach;

vi. Missed approach

vii. Approach and landing with a simulated powerplant failure;

viii. Landing from a circling approach; and

ix. Landing from a no flap or nonstandard flap approach.

b. A Level C or D flight simulator provided the applicant has performed at least 

three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop as the sole manipulator of the 

flight controls in the CE-500 series airplane within the preceding 90 days.

8. An applicant seeking to obtain or renew a single-pilot authorization under this 

exemption must––

a. Satisfactorily complete SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum;

b. Satisfactorily complete the curriculum’s required qualification module, 

consisting of a stand-alone proficiency check in either a CE-500 series 

airplane, an appropriately qualified and approved flight simulator, or a 

combination thereof;

c. Satisfactorily complete this proficiency check:

i. Within 30 days of completing the training; and

ii. Under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA inspector or 

SimCom Training Center Evaluator (TCE) who is qualified and 

authorized to conduct either § 61.58 proficiency checks or type rating 

practical tests in CE-500 series flight simulators or airplanes, as 

appropriate.

d. Satisfactorily complete all tasks listed in the Airline Transport Pilot and 

Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards that are required for an initial 

CE-500 type rating; and
7

e. Satisfactorily perform all maneuvers and procedures as a single pilot during the 

entire proficiency check. Training to proficiency during the check is not 

permitted, and failure of any maneuver shall result in failure of the proficiency 

check.

9. The circling approach requirement must be accomplished in an airplane or in a 

simulator that is qualified and approved in SimCom’s training specifications for the 

circling approach task.

10. Until the circling approach task has been satisfactorily demonstrated to an FAA 

inspector or FAA-designated examiner in an airplane or in a simulator that is qualified 

and approved for the circling approach task––

a. The applicant’s records will be annotated with the statement, “Demonstration 

of circling approach was not accomplished”; and

b. The applicant must not perform circling approaches as the PIC when weather 

conditions are less than the weather minimums for visual flight rules.

11. A person who previously has received a single-pilot authorization in a Cessna Citation 

model 500, 550, S550, 552, or 560 airplane must complete SimCom’s FAA-approved 

part 142 single-pilot differences training course to obtain a single-pilot authorization 

for a different Cessna Citation model.

12. All flight training conducted in accordance with this exemption must be given by a 

flight instructor employed by SimCom who also meets the requirements of Condition

and Limitation No. 5(a), (b), and (c) of this exemption.

13. A person seeking to obtain a single-pilot authorization must satisfactorily complete 

ground and flight training through SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum, and must receive training on the differences between the Cessna Citation 

model represented by the simulator used for training and checking and the Cessna 

Citation model for which single-pilot authorization is requested.

14. A single-pilot authorization will be valid for 12 calendar months. A person who 

renews a single-pilot authorization in the calendar month before or after the calendar 

month in which it is due is considered to have renewed the single-pilot authorization 

when due.

15. Successful completion of the proficiency check used in SimCom’s FAA-approved part 

142 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal training curriculum

identified in Condition No. 6 satisfies the requirements of the PIC proficiency check 

required by 14 CFR § 61.58.

16. Each CE-500 series airplane operated under this exemption must have the following 

equipment installed and operational:
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a. An autopilot with approach coupling capability;

b. A flight director system;

c. A boom microphone; and

d. A transponder “ident” switch on the pilot’s control wheel.

17. SimCom must provide a copy of this exemption to each person who is authorized to 

operate under this exemption.

18. Each person must carry a copy of this exemption and a record from SimCom

documenting compliance with its training and checking conditions aboard the airplane 

when he or she is operating under the terms of the exemption.

19. Upon request, SimCom must provide any representative of the FAA Administrator 

with an analysis of training and checking operations conducted under this exemption 

with respect to program failure rates, extra training time required, accident and 

incident data, and any known problem areas.

20. SimCom must maintain records and make them available, when requested, to any 

representative of the FAA Administrator. These records must include all information 

required by § 142.73 and—

a. The dates of training enrollment and completion for each trainee who enrolls in 

a SimCom single-pilot curriculum;

b. The name and number of additional training hours needed by those appliciants 

who requires more flight training than prescribed in SimCom’s CE-500 singlepilot curriculum in order to pass the initial authorization or authorization 

renewal;

c. The name of each pilot who failed to complete SimCom’s CE-500 single-pilot 

curriculum satisfactorily or withdrew from the course and along with the 

reason(s) for the withdrawal; and

d. The name, certificate number, and address of each person who is authorized to 

operate under this exemption following satisfactory completion of SimCom’s 

CE-500 single-pilot course. 

21. No person may provide training nor may any person receive training while passengers 

are aboard any aircraft operating for the purpose of meeting the training or checking 

requirements of this exemption.

22. This exemption is valid only for aircraft configured for operation by a single pilot 

seated in the left pilot seat. The privileges of this exemption are prohibited for any 
9

aircraft with the landing gear lever positioned anywhere to the right of the center of the 

aircraft.

23. The approved training curriculum authorized by this exemption may not be conducted 

under any business name other than SimCom.

This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States.

The Effect of Our Decision

This terminates on May 31, 2017, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

/s/

Michael J. Zenkovich

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service