AFS-15-906-E 

May 5, 2015 

 Exemption No. 10773A 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2013-0295 

Mr. Donald S. Robson 

Chief Pilot 

Bristow U.S. LLC 

4605 Industrial Drive 

New Iberia, LA 70560 

Dear Mr. Robson: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption 

No. 10773. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions 

and limitations. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated March 5, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Bristow U.S. LLC (Bristow) for an extension of Exemption No. 10773. That 

exemption from § 91.9(a) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows Bristow 

to operate Sikorsky S-92A (S-92A) helicopters with limited exposure to engine failure during 

takeoff and landing while carrying up to 19 passengers between land-based and offshore 

facilities or when operating between two offshore facilities, day, night, visual flight rules, and 

instrument flight rules. 

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original 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 Bristow. 
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Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10773 

remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the 

authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has 

delegated to me, I hereby grant Bristow U.S. LLC (Bristow) an exemption from 

14 CFR § 91.9(a) to allow Bristow to operate Sikorsky S-92A (S-92A) helicopters with 

limited exposure to engine failure during takeoff and landing while carrying up to 19 

passengers between land-based and offshore facilities or when operating between two 

offshore facilities, day, night, visual flight rules, and instrument flight rules, subject to the 

following conditions and limitations. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption is limited to operations conducted in Bristow’s S-92A helicopters. 

2. This exemption is limited to operations conducted between land-based airports and 

offshore heliports, or operations conducted between two offshore heliports. 

3. This exemption is not valid for operations in foreign airspace without the prior 

authorization of the Civil Aviation Authority with jurisdiction over that airspace. 

4. Occupants of flights conducted under this exemption must wear personal floatation 

equipment whenever the aircraft is over water and the aircraft must be equipped with 

floats, accessible rafts, and a 406 MHz beacon. 

5. Bristow must make available and provide access, upon request by the FAA, to its 

engine reliability historical data for the S-92As in its fleet in order to provide ongoing 

surveillance of engine reliability. 

6. Computations regarding the determination of the approach and departure profiles must 

not exceed the ICAO standard of 9 seconds of exposure to engine failure related to 

Performance Class 2 with limited exposure to engine failure. 

 

7. Operations will not be conducted unless the current aircraft weight, altitude and 

temperature, as provided in the S-92A Rotorcraft Flight Manual, ensure the ability to 

climb 150 feet per minute at 1,000 feet above the takeoff surface with one engine 

inoperative and the remaining engine at maximum continuous one-engine inoperative 

(OEI) power. 

8. Bristow must comply with, in addition to other routine preflight computations, the 

procedures cited in the S-92A Rotorcraft Flight Manual, Part 2, Section III, 

Supplemental Performance Data, page III-1-50, contained in the paragraphs titled 

“Elevated Helideck Takeoff and Landing –Limited Exposure – (At Figure 3-22 

WAT)” and the paragraph following titled “Vertical Takeoff – Elevated Helideck.” 
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9. Operations under the provisions of this exemption must be flown by two pilot crews 

that are qualified and current in the operation of the S-92A. 

10. Bristow’s approved training program must include provisions for training of 

appropriate crews on the profiles associated with a Performance Class 2 with limited 

exposure takeoff and arrival, including performance planning. Bristow must 

document the conduct and completion of that training for appropriate flight 

crewmembers. 

11. Proficiency in the use of the profiles described in Condition/Limitation No. 10 must 

be demonstrated satisfactorily during recurrent evaluations required by §§ 135.293 or 

135.299. 

12. Bristow must establish parameters for takeoff and arrival at helidecks for its flight data 

monitoring program and provide ongoing surveillance of those operations. 

13. Bristow must advise all S-92A flight crewmembers of the provisions of this 

exemption, and document that notification. 

14. A copy of this exemption must be carried onboard each S-92A utilizing these 

provisions. 

The Effect of Our Decision 

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

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

Michael J. Zenkovich 

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service