AFS-10-095-E January 28, 2010 Exemption No. 6461H Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-11578

Mr. Shane L. Carlson Vice President Northwest Seaplanes, Inc. P.O. Box 1845 Renton, WA 98057

Dear Mr. Carlson:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 6461, 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 dated December 7, 2009, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Northwest Seaplanes, Inc. (Northwe st Seaplanes), for an extension of Exemption No. 6461, as amended. That exemption from § 135.203(a)(1) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows Northwest Seaplanes to conduct operations under visual flight rules (VFR) outside controlled airspace, over water, at an altitude below 500 feet.

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 Northwest Seaplanes.2

Our Decision The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 6461, 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. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. The petitioner’s operations under this exemption must be conducted exclusively in seaplanes that are operated under its air taxi/commercial operator certificate.

2. Operations conducted under the authority of this exemption are limited to:

a. Day VFR operations that are over water and within sight of shore,

b. True airspeeds not to exceed 130 knots, and

c. The area of the Puget Sound Basin and San Juan Islands, defined by a line extending from Edmonds, Washington; northeast to Point Mukilteo; north to Bellingham, Washington; west to Stuart Island (San Juan Islands); southeast to Keyport, Washington; and northeast returning to Edmonds, Washington.

3. All operations conducted under this exemption may be conducted only when sea and wind conditions permit a safe water landing in the event of power failure.

4. Sky obstruction must exceed five-tenths cloud coverage and must preclude VFR flight at or above 500 feet before operations are authorized under this exemption.

5. Aircraft position and anticollision lights must be on and functioning when operations are conducted under this exemption.

6. Aircraft may be operated below 500 feet down to an altitude of 400 feet when either of the following conditions prevail:

a. The flight visibility is at least 2 miles, the surface wind velocity along the route to be flown is 12 knots or less, and the height of the sea is 1 foot or less; or

b. The flight visibility is at least 3 miles.

7. Aircraft may be operated below 400 feet down to an altitude of 200 feet when the following conditions prevail:

a. The flight visibility is at least 3 miles, and

b. The wind speed is 12 knots or less, and the height of the sea is 1 foot or less.

8. No aircraft may be operated under this exemption at an altitude of less than 200 feet.3

9. Prior to operating under the terms of this exemption, Northwest Seaplanes must obtain approval for the routes to be flown from its Certificate Holding District Office.

The Effect of Our Decision Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 6461, as amended, to June 30, 2012, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

All conditions and limitations of Exemption No. 6461, as amended, remain the same. This letter must be attached to, and is a part of, Exemption No. 6461.

Sincerely,

/s/ John W. McGraw Acting Director, Flight Standards Service