AJV-16-0005-E

February 10, 2016

 Exemption No. 8255G

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-16491

Mr. Lawrence S. Dibble

Director of Plans, Policy and Programs

U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency

9325 Gunston Road, Suite N319

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Dear Mr. Dibble:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 8255, 

as amended. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions 

and limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter posted to the docket November 13, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of the Department of the Army, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger 

Regiment (2nd/75th) for an extension of Exemption No. 8255, as amended. That exemption 

from §§ 105.19(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows 2nd/75th to conduct 

certain night, unlighted parachute operations, outside special use airspace at Fort Lewis, 

Washington, at an altitude of 800 feet above ground level (AGL).

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 2nd/75th.
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Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 8255, as 

amended, 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, the Department of the Army, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger 

Regiment (2nd/75th) is granted an extension to Exemption No. 8255 for §§ 105.19(a) and (b)

that allows the 2nd/75th to conduct certain night, unlighted parachute operations, outside 

special use airspace at Fort Lewis, Washington, at an altitude of 800 feet above ground level 

(AGL), subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption is limited to night parachute, combat readiness, training exercises 

of the 2nd/75th located at Fort Lewis, Washington, conducted in the areas known as 

the Roger's Drop Zone, the center having a lat/long of 47.00.98N, 122.27.42W.

2. Each airborne training operation:

a. Must be: 

(i) Conducted in a flight of two or more aircraft with a dedicated observer 

aboard each aircraft with the sole duty as an aerial observer; or

(ii) Escorted by an aircraft serving as an observation platform dedicated to 

surveillance for nonparticipating traffic in the event the training operation 

only consists of a single jump aircraft.

b. In addition to the aerial observation, the operation must be conducted with 

personnel on the ground at the drop zone to conduct surveillance for potential 

conflicts with nonparticipating aircraft (ground observers).

c. The operation must be conducted in such a manner as to enable the aerial and 

ground observers to survey fully about for nonparticipating traffic and relay the 

findings to all participants so operations may be terminated while 

nonparticipating traffic is in the area.

3. Traffic notifications from the observers shall provide the flightcrews with 

information about the position, direction of flight, and speed of the observed 

nonparticipating traffic.

4. When nonparticipating traffic is in the area, the training exercise and parachute 

operations shall be terminated until the air traffic is no longer in the area.

5. Unlighted parachute operations may not be conducted above 1,500 feet AGL and 

must be contained within the boundaries of the Rogers and Rogers West Drop 
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Zones. This area must be established as an area of low air traffic that does not 

infringe upon FAA-designated airspace areas and has been coordinated with the

appropriate FAA region's Air Traffic Division and Flight Standards Division 

offices.

6. Each pilot who will conduct operations for the 2nd/75th under this exemption must 

be thoroughly familiar with its provisions.

7. The holder shall advertise the approved training area to operators at all airports 

within 50 miles of the area 7 days preceding each use.

8. The holder shall provide notice through the use of Notice to Airmen 

(NOTAMs)/Special Notices disseminated at least 72 hours in advance of 

scheduled exercises. The training airspace will be identified by name (if 

applicable) and by latitude/longitude. The NOTAMs will advise that during the 

course of flight planning, potential users of the operational area will be provided 

with information on the time and place of the proposed unlighted parachute 

operations. The NOTAMs must be made available to the civil aviation community 

and must be capable of being disseminated among civil users of the National 

Airspace System. 

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 8255, as amended, to 

February 28, 2019, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

/s/

Jodi S. McCarthy

Director, Airspace Services Air Traffic Organization