AFS-14-027-E

November 15, 2013

 Exemption No. 10895

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2013-0935

Mr. Kevin Tauzier

Chief Pilot

Chevron Aircraft Operation

96 Runway Road

Picayune, MS 39466

Dear Mr. Tauzier:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated October 24, 2013, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of Chevron Aircraft Operations (Chevron) for an exemption from § 91.9(a) of 

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to allow Chevron 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.

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

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Chevron.

The FAA has issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 10507 (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found that operations to offshore facilities present a unique operating environment that 
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requires special consideration in operations, training, and standardization, but also recognized 

there may be instances in which a safe forced landing may not be possible due to 

environmental or other factors. Notwithstanding , the FAA concluded the petitioners 

proposed operational controls were consistent with those in OpSpec H100 and was in the 

public interest because the use of the S-92A provides its passengers with safe transportation, 

while maintaining an efficient transportation system for the oil and gas industry.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

• they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No. 10507;

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 10507

also apply to the situation you present; and 

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator 

has delegated to me, I hereby grant Chevron Aircraft Operations an exemption from 

14 CFR § 91.9(a) to the extent necessary to operate S-92A helicopters with limited exposure 

to engine failure during takeoff and landing while carrying up to 19 passengers between landbased and offshore facilities or when operating between two offshore facilities, day, night, 

visual flight rules, and instrument flight rules, subject to the conditions and limitations

described below.

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption is limited to operations conducted in Chevron’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. Chevron 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.
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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. Chevron 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.” 

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. Chevron’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. Chevron must 

document the conduct and completion of that training for appropriate flight 

crewmembers.

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

demonstrated satisfactorily during recurrent evaluations required by §§ 135.293 or 

135.299.

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

data monitoring program and provide ongoing surveillance of those operations.

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

exemption, and document that notification.
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14. A copy of this exemption must be carried onboard each S-92A utilizing these 

provisions.

This exemption terminates on December 31, 2015, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosure