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. (Northwest 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. 
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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. 
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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