Charles A. Simmons

8501 Telephone Road

Houston, TX 77061

April 24, 2014

Federal Aviation Administration

135 Air Carrier Operations Branch (AFS-250)

Room # 831

800 Independence Avenue, S.W.,

Washington, DC 20591

Dear Sirs:

RE: Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 107—Prohibition Against Certain Flights Within the 

Territory and Airspace of Somalia

With this letter, American Jet International, Corporation (A8JA) formally submits petition for an 

exemption to Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 107 (SFAR 107) which excludes authorization for 

US operators and airmen to operate within the country of Somalia.

In accordance with CFR 14, Part §11.81 I am providing the following information:

(a) Your name and mailing address and, if you wish, other contact information such as a fax number, 

telephone number, or e-mail address; 

Response:

American Jet International

Attention: Charles Simmons

8501 Telephone Road

Houston, Texas 77061

713-641-9700

csimmons@iflyaji.com

(b) The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek an exemption; 

Response:

Special Federal Aviation Regulation No. 107 (SFAR 107)
(c) The extent of relief you seek, and the reason you seek the relief;

Response:

American Jet International is a US air carrier (A8JA269Y) authorized by the FAA to conduct on-demand 

operations utilizing FAA certificated airmen. Thus, SFAR 107 directly applies to our operations. 

American Jet is seeking relief from SFAR 107 paragraph 2 under the exemption laid out in SFAR 107 

paragraph 3.

SFAR 107 paragraph (3.) states:

Permitted operations

This SFAR does not prohibit persons described in section 1 from conducting flight operations within the 

territory and airspace below FL 200 of Somalia when such operations are authorized either by another 

agency of the United States Government with the approval of the FAA or by an exemption issued by the 

Administrator.

The purpose of petitioning for an exemption is due to the desire to provide, under contract, air services 

in support of the United Nations peace keeping efforts in Somalia.

(d) The reasons why granting your request would be in the public interest; that is, how it would 

benefit the public as a whole;

Response:

The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1945 to promote 

international co-operation. Its objectives include maintaining international peace and security, 

promoting human rights, fostering social and economic development, protecting the environment, and 

providing humanitarian aid in cases of famine, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

American Jet seeks to provide air ambulance services to the United Nations in support of their 

humanitarian aid efforts.

(e) The reasons why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the 

exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule from which 

you seek the exemption;
Response:

American Jet has earned the ISBAO Level 1 safety rating as well as the ARGUS Platinum safety rating. 

The platinum rating is a distinction awarded to only a handful of air charter operators in the U.S. that 

adhere to the highest safety standards as well as having developed a system of programs, policies and 

procedures that is well thought out and conducive to an organized way of doing business.

We provide experienced, well trained pilots that work under a well-defined system of procedure and 

protocol. Our pilots are FAA certificated Airline Transport Pilots with Class 1 medicals. They are trained 

twice a year at Flight Safety or CAE Simuflite.

AJI has been in the Air Ambulance business since 1991 so we are experienced and knowledgeable when 

performing air ambulance operations. We have a dispatch center that is located at Houston Hobby 

airport. It is in operation 24 hours a day 365 days a year.

(f) A summary we can publish in the Federal Register, stating: 

(1) The rule from which you seek the exemption; and 

(2) A brief description of the nature of the exemption you seek; 

Response:

American Jet International Corporation seeks exemption from SFAR 107 paragraph 2 in order to provide 

air ambulance services to the United Nations in the country of Somalia. We are asking to be able to 

base an aircraft at the airport in Mogadishu (HCMM) in order to provide those services.

Founded in 1991, American Jet is an air charter operator in Houston, Texas that provides air medical 

services world-wide. We have provided air ambulance services to South and Central America, Mexico, 

Canada, Europe, Africa and Asia. Our B050 Op Spec authorizes most countries with few restrictions. 

American Jet wishes to offer our services to the United Nations by entering into a contract with the UN 

to provide life-saving services in Somalia. We will operate out of Aden Adde International Airport 

(HCMM) and plan to base two aircraft, 4-6 pilots and 2 maintenance technicians at the airport to 

support movement of UN personnel and air ambulance operations.

We understand that an approval of the request for exemption does not relieve American Jet of our 

responsibility to comply with all applicable FAA as well as ICAO rules and regulations.

If approved, we will continue to comply with the conditions of our air carrier certificate and Operations 

Specifications. Additionally, American Jet International recognizes and embraces the responsibility to 

comply with all rules and regulations of other U.S. Government departments or agencies that may 

apply to the operation, including, but not limited to, the Transportation Security Regulations issued by 

the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security.
(g) Any additional information, views or arguments available to support your request; and 

Response:

None

(h) If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, the reason 

why you need to do so.

Response:

The privileges of this exemption only apply to operations outside of the U.S.

Sincerely,

Charles A. Simmons

Director of Operations