## ~YEXPRESS ExpressJet Airlines Inc.

PETITION FOR EXEMPTION

April 16, 2015 U.S. Department ofTransportation Docket Operations, M-30 West Building ground floor Room W12-140 1200 NewJerseyAvenue, SE Washington, DC 20590
SUBJECT: PETITION FOR GRANT OF EXEMPTION Pursuantto Section 11.25 ofthe Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR), ExpressJetAirlines Inc., holder of Operating Certificate ASOA029B, hereby petitions the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)forthe exemption from FAR Section 121.619(a)(2) to the extent necessaryto dispatch flights to domestic airports atwhich for at least 1 hour before and afterthe estimated time ofarrival at the destination airportthe appropriate weather reports orforecasts, or an combination ofthem, indicate the ceilings be reduced from at least 2,000 AGL to 1,000 AGL, and visibility be reduced from at least 3 statute miles to 2 statute miles. NATURE AND EXTENT OF RELIEF The exemption will allow ExpressJet Airlines Inc. to be'ex-i3mpt from 121.619(a)(2) underthe condition that a Category II approach is available at the destination in conjunction with aircraft outfitted with operational Category II approved equipment and trained pilots. Ifonlya Category I approach can be made due to operational orfacility limits, the conditions ofthe exemption shall meet a more restrictive requirement. FAR §121.619(a)(2} Alternate airportfordestination: IFR orover-the-top: Domestic operations. (a) No person maydispatch an airplane under IFR or over-the-top unless he lists at least one alternate airportfor each destination airport in the dispatch release. When the weather conditions forecast for the destination and first alternate airport are marginal at least one additional alternate must be designated. However, no alternate airport is required iffor at least 1 hour before and 1 hourafterthe estimatedtime ofarrival atthe destination airport the appropriate weather reports or forecasts, orany combination ofthem, indicate_:_:·:-

. -· (1) The ceiling will be at least 2,do(ffeet above the airport elevation; and (2) Visibilitywill be at least 3 miles. (b) For the purposes ofparagraph (a) ofthis section, the weather conditions atthe alternate airport must meetthe requirements of§121.625. (c) No person may dispatch a flight unless he lists each required alternate airport in the dispatch release.

1 990 Toffie Terrace Atlanta, GA 30354 404.856.1000PUBLIC INTEREST Granting ofthis petition for exemption to permit ExpressJetAirlines Inc. to dispatch aircraftto airports with reduced visibility minimums is in the public interest for reasons ofeconomics, environmental, and reliability. With improved aircraft and airport technology coupled with existing pilot training and Category II approval, this exemption will match or exceed the existing efforts required to satisfy and sustain safety. EQUIVALENT LEVEL OF SAFETY ExpressJetAirlines Inc. believes that this proposal forthe requested exemption will provide an equivalent level of safetyto operations underthis present regulation. Operations underthe exemption requested herein should enhance operational flexibility and reliability of ExpressJetAirlines Inc. while maintaining safe air commerce. In summary, this exemption will improve the dispatch ofaircraft to destinations whereas Category II approaches are available in conjunction with aircraft outfitted with operational Category II approved equipment and trained pilots. EXCEPTIONS TO PUBLICATION OF SUMMARY OF PETITION FOR EXEMPTION In accordance with the provisions of FAR 11.27U)(3)(i) (Exceptions to Publication of Summary of Petition for Exemption), ExpressJetAirlines Inc. requests that a finding ofgood cause be made forwaiving publication in the Federal Register, since similar exemptions and waivers for this purpose have been granted to other Part 121 air carriers electing to conduct operations required by FAR 121.619(a)(2). The justifications and supporting arguments are nearly identical to those presented by ExpressJetAirlines Inc

.. In view ofthe numerous opportunities to comment in the past, and the analysis previously done by FAA in the related industry cases, which ultimately resulted in grants ofexemption, ExpressJet Airlines Inc. requests thatthe publication and comment period be waived.

2SUMMARY As required by FAR Section 11.25(d), a summary ofthe petition is as follows:

ExpressJetAirlines Inc. requests an exemption from FAR 121.619(a)(2), to the extent necessaryto dispatch flights to domestic airports atwhich for at least 1 hour before and afterthe estimated time of arrival at the destination airportthe appropriate weather reports orforecasts, oran combination ofthem, indicate the ceiling be reduced from 2,000 AGL to 1,000 AGL, and visibility be reduced from at least 3 statute miles to 2 statute miles. Dispatch with reduced ceiling and visibility minimums is contingent upon an available and operational Category II approach at the destination as well as all Category II procedures and requirements satisfied by ExpressJetAirlines, Inc. Ifthe flight is limited to Category I approaches for any reason, the exemption shall meet a more restrictive visibility requirement of 1,000 foot ceilings and 3 statute miles. Sincerely,

Brad Sheehan Vice President, Flight Operations
cc: Inspector Bill Smith ExpressJetAirlines Inc. Principal Operations Inspector

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