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February3 , 201 0 U.S . Departmen to fTransportatio n Docke tOperation s Wes tBuildin g Groun d Floor , Roo m W12-14 0 120 0 Ne wJerse yAvenue , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 RE : Exemptio n 1 4 CF R § 137.5 1 (b ) (4 ) Dea rSirs : Pursuan tt o 1 4 CF R §11.81 , ttii s i s t o reques t a n exemption . W e are : Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C

347 3 Nort h Shepardsvill e Roa d Ovid . M l 4886 6 989-834-506 7 worl < 989-834-509 8 fa x Mike502B@aol.co m AI400@aol.co m Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C i s a smal l discipline d agricultura l operation . W e hav e bee n i n busines s fo rthirt ytw o years . Ou rpilot s hav e thousand s o fhour s o fagricultura l applicatio n experience . W e strictl yoperat e turbopro p powere d Ai rTracto raircraft , purpos e buil tfo ragricultura l operations . Th e specifi csectio n fro m whic h w e reques trelie fis ; § 137.5 1 Operatio n ove rcongeste d areas : (b ) N o perso n mayoperat e a n aircraf tove ra congeste d are a excep ti n accordanc e wit h th e requirement s o fthi s paragraph . (4 ) Singl e engin e aircraf t mus t b e operate d a s follows : (i ) Excep tfo rhelicopters , n o perso n ma ytakeof fa loade d aircraft , o rmak e a turnaroun d ove ra congeste d area . Th e exten to frelie fAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C seek s i s a n exemptio n t o b e allowe d t o us e ou rsingl e engin e turbopro p powere d Ai rTracto raircraf tpurpos e buil t fo ragricultura l applicatio n t o takeof fan d mak e turnaround s ove rcongeste d area s i n a loade d configuration . Th e reaso n tha tw e see k thi s relie fi s tha ta s owners , engineer s an d highl yexperience d pilots , w e hav e determine d tha tw e ar e safe rtakin g offo rturnin g ou r turbopro p Ai rTracto raircraf tove ra congeste d are a tha n i fw e wer e operatin g pisto n powere d multi-engin e airplane s fo rth e sam e task .PUBLI C INTERES T

Th e reason s wh ygrantin g ou rreques twoul d b e i n th e publi cinterestan d woul d benefi t th e publi ca s a whol e ar e a s follows : Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s pilot s makin g takeoff s wit h loade d Ai rTracto rturbopro p aircraft , an d turnin g ove rcongeste d area s ar e safe rtha n operatin g th e multi-engin e pisto n powere d airplane s currentl ydirecte d b y1 4 CF R § 137.51 . Th e late rportio n o f thi s reques twil l utiliz e publication s issue d b yth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) an d statistic s provide d b ybot h th e FAAan d Nationa l Transportatio n Safet yBoar d (NTSB ) t o substantiat e thi s fact . Additionally , man yo fAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s contract s ar e t o trea ttree s fo rFederal , State , an d loca l governments . Pursuan tt o 1 4 CF R § 137.5 1 (b)(3) , Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C submit s a congeste d are a pla n tha tinclude s publi crelation s new s medi a releas e o f applicatio n dat e an d tim e information . Th e publi ci s informe d tha tagricultura l aircraf t wil l b e applyin g materia l t o preven tpest s fro m destroyin g thei rtrees . Whe n th e averag e perso n see s a pisto n powere d multi-engin e airplan e flyin g lo woverhea d h e o rsh e assume s tha tth e airplan e i s i n troubl e an d a cras h i s imminent . Us e o fth e multi-engin e aircraf tcause s bot h concer n an d complaints . Ai rTractor s hav e a distinctiv e loo k an d turbopro p engine s ar e muc h quieter . Whe n a n averag e perso n see s ou rbrigh tyello wAi rTractor s i n operation , the yar e abl e t o mak e th e connectio n t o th e pres s release . Significantl yfewe rcall s ar e mad e t o emergenc y service s durin g Ai rTracto raeria l application , whic h allow s 91 1 service s t o provid e hel p t o thos e wh o actuall ynee d it . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C operate s Ai rTracto raircraf tpowere d b yPrat tan d Whitne y PT- 6 turbo-pro p engines . Thes e aircraf tar e significantl ymor e reliabl e an d quiete rtha n multi-engin e pisto n powere d airplanes . Thi s reduce s and/o reliminate s nois e complaint s tha tar e produce d b yoperatio n o fmulti-engin e pisto n powere d airplanes . Th e Unite d State s Fores tServic e ha s extensivel yresearche d th e effectiv e swat h widt h o fth e Ai rTracto ran d othe raircraft . Th e averag e swat h o rspra ypatter n o fa multi engin e pisto n powere d airplan e i s 10 0 fee to rless . Th e swat h o fa n Ai rTracto ri s 15 0 feet . Thi s equate s t o fewe rpasse s an d fewe rturn s overhead . Thi s i s less o fa n annoyanc e t o propert yowners , mor e efficient , an d onc e agai n muc h safer . Multi-engin e powere d airplane s ar e purpos e buil tt o trave l an d operat e a thighe rspeed s tha n aircraf tpurpos e buil tfo ragricultura l operations . Multi-engin e airplane s mus tb e flow n a tspeed s tha tallo wthe m t o retai n contro l o fth e airplan e i fa n engin e fails . Thes e highe rspeed s translat e t o les s saturatio n an d penetratio n o fth e agricultura l materia l bein g applied . B ycomparison , th e Ai rTracto rhig h liftwin g operate s safel ya ta lowe r spee d an d th e wak e vortice s create d b yth e win g insur e excellen tcoverag e an d penetration . Th e customer , wh o i s frequentl yth e taxpayer , get s th e bes tresult s fo rth e servic e h e pai d for .SAFET Y

Ther e ar e man yreason s wh ygrantin g th e exemptio n woul d no tadversel yaffec tsafety . I n fac tthi s exemptio n woul d provid e a highe rleve l o fsafet ytha n tha tprovide d b y1 4 CF R §137.51 . 1 4 CF R § 13 7 was promulgate d i n 1967 . A ttha ttime , th e aircraf tuse d fo ragricultura l applicatio n wer e buil tfo rothe rpurpose s an d modifie d t o becom e Restricte d Category aeria l applicators . Civi l Aeronautic s Manua l (CAM ) 8 , th e regulatio n tha twa s i n plac e a t tha ttim e list s exampl e aircraf tsuc h a s Aeronc a 7AC , Boein g 7 5 (Stearman) , an d Pipe r J 3 Cu b a s airplane s tha tcoul d becom e Restricte d Categoryfo rus e i n aeria l application . I n practice , man yo fthes e airplane s wer e wor n out , use d u p trainer s tha tgav e th e aeria l applicatio n busines s a ba d reputation . Sinc e 1967 , th e technolog yo faeria l applicatio n ha s advance d bu tth e la wha s stoo d still . Million s o fdollar s hav e bee n spen to n researc h an d compute rmodeling o fth e spra ydroplet s exitin g aircraf tan d th e measuremen to fspra ydro p spectrum s produce d b yaircraft . Million s mor e ar e spen teac h yea rt o trap , survey , an d delineat e th e exac t area s tha twil l b e targete d b ya n applicatio n t o contro l a specifi cpest . Th e us e o fdifferentiall ycorrecte d globa l positionin g system s provide s th e accuracyt o targe thundred s o fsmalle rapplicatio n block s scattere d withi n a cit yinstea d o fblanke t sprayin g th e entir e population . Man yproduct s use d t o contro l pest s ar e specifi ct o on e pes ta tonl yon e growt h stage . Th e windo wfo reffectiv e applicatio n ma yb e less tha n thre e days . Th e en d resul tprovide s bette rcontro l wit h less pesticid e use d an d infinitel y les s environmenta l damage . I tals o mean s th e applicatio n no wconsist s o fman y smalle rblock s requirin g precis e application s an d man ymor e turns . I n orde rt o propertysupportthes e expensiv e efforts , ther e ar e no waircraf ttha tar e purpos e buil tfo ragricultura l application . Premie ramon g thes e i s th e turbopro p Ai r Tractor . Whethe rth e jo b i s spraying , seeding , fertilizing , o rfirefighting , mor e operator s choos e Ai rTracto rbecaus e the yge tth e mos tproductive , highes tqualit yan d cost effectiv e agricultura l plane s availabl e anywhere , a tan yprice . Ai rTractor s provid e super b visibility , ligh tcontro l forces , speed , an d maneuverabilit yfo rth e pilot . Modifie d vs . Purpos e Buil t- Win a Desia n Th e functio n o falmos tall airplanes , especiall ymulti-engin e airplanes , i s t o travel . Aircraf tar e designe d t o takeoff , climb , an d descen d safel ybu ttrade-off s ar e mad e s o tha tthe ywil l cruis e efficiently . Thi s i s th e case wit h aircraf tmodifie d t o perfor m aeria l application . Th e purpos e buil tAi rTracto raircraf toperate d b yAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C ar e buil t purel yfo rAeria l Applicatio n purposes , Win g desig n i s focuse d o n th e abilit yt o tur n safel ylo wt o th e ground .Multi-engin e aircraf tar e buil tt o b e stable . Thi s make s the m saf e t o fl yi n instrumen t

meteorologica l condition s an d comfortabl e t o fl yo n lon g trips . Thes e airplane s resis t bein g turne d o rclimbe d a s parto ftha tinheren tstability . Thi s cause s th e airplan e t o la g behin d pilo tcontro l input s t o tur n o rclimb . Thi s built-i n 2 secon d la g tim e ca n b e th e differenc e betwee n lif e an d deat h whe n tryin g t o avoi d collisio n wit h anothe rairplan e o r obstacl e (A C 90-48 , Appendi x1 , Pilots' Rol l i n Collisio n Avoidance) . Th e Ai rTracto rwas deliberatel ybuil twithou tthi s inheren tcontro l lag . Purpos e buil tfo r agricultura l operations , th e Ai rTracto rreact s immediatel yt o pilo tcontro l input . Thi s enhance s th e pilot' s abilit yt o avoi d collisio n wit h anothe rairplan e o rth e man yobstacle s encountere d flyin g a t5 0 fee tabov e tre e top level . Modifie d vs . Purpos e Buil t- Visibilit y Th e principa l o f"se e an d avoid " i s fundamenta l t o all fligh ti n visua l meteorologica l conditions . Fundamenta l t o th e "avoid " portio n o ftha tprincipa l i s havin g enoug h tim e t o reactt o th e sigh to fanothe raircraf to robstacle . Th e highe rspeed s tha tmulti-engin e aircraf tmus tfl yi n orde rt o retai n contro l i n th e even to fa n engin e failur e diminis h th e multi-engin e pilots ' tim e t o "se e an d avoid" . Multi-engin e aircraf tar e designe d t o fl yhig h an d fast . Becaus e o fthis , the yma yb e pressurize d an d o rthei rwindshield s ma yb e heated . Becaus e o fthes e system s an d du e t o highe rspee d capabilities , th e windo wpost s o fa multi-engin e airplan e mus tb e wid e t o accommodat e system s wirin g an d structura l loads . Thes e wid e windo wpost s becom e dangerou s blin d spots . (FAAPT-8740-51 . Ho wt o Avoi d a Midai rCollision) . B ycomparison , th e Ai rTracto rha s super b visibilit yfo rth e pilot . Th e Ai rTracto rha s mor e window s an d the yar e larger . Windo wpost s ar e narrow . Degree s o fvie wu p an d down , an d leftan d righ tar e muc h better . Th e pilo t sit s wit h hi s hea d an d shoulder s ove rth e instrumen tpane l furthe reliminatin g blin d spot s belo wth e wing . Thi s outstandin g visibilit ygive s th e Ai rTracto rpilo tth e edg e i n seein g an d avoidin g collisio n wit h othe raircraf tan d th e numerou s obstacle s encountere d flyin g a t5 0 fee tabov e tre e top level . Reciprocatin g vs . Turbopro p Engine s Whe n 1 4 CF R § 13 7 was promulgate d i n 1967 , all o fth e airplane s modifie d int o Restricte d Categoryagricultura l aircraf t wer e equippe d wit h pisto n engine s als o know n a s reciprocatin g engines . Th e multi-engin e aircraf ttha twer e use d then , an d tha tca n b e legall yuse d fo ragricultura l applicatio n no war e als o equippe d wit h reciprocatin g engines . Eventually , restricte d categoryagricultura l aircraf twer e retrofi twit h turbopro p engine s an d finall ymanufacturer s o fpurpos e buil tagricultura l airplane s mad e th e turbopro p engin e standar d equipmen ta s i s tru e wit h Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTractors . Th eFAA' s Airplan e FIvin g Handboo k (H-8083-3A ) describe s th e turbopro p engin e a s follows : Bot h pisto n (reciprocating ) engine s an d ga s turbin e engine s ar e interna l corr^bustio n engines . The yhav e a simila rcycl e o foperatio n tha tconsist s o finduction , compression , combustion , expansion , an d exhaust . I n a pisto n engine , eac h o fthes e event s i s a separat e distinc toccurrenc e i n eac h cylinder . Also , i n a pisto n engin e a n ignitio n even t mus toccu rdurin g eac h cycle , i n eac h cylinder . Unlike reciprocatin g engines , i n ga s turbin e engine s thes e phase s o fpowe roccu rsimultaneousl yan d continuousl yinstea d o f on e cycl e a ta time. " Th e developmen to fth e turbopro p engin e w/a s a n attemp tt o combin e i n on e engin e th e bes t characteristic s o fbot h th e turbojet , an d propelle rdrive n reciprocatin g engine . Th e turbopro p engin e offer s severa l advantage s ove rothe rtype s o fengine s suc h as : •Ligh tweight . •Mechanica l reliabilit vdu e t o relativel vfe wmovin g parts . ' Simplicit vo foperation . •Minimu m vibration . •Hig h powe rpe runi to fweigh t(emphasi s added ) Mechanica l reliabilit yan d simplicit yo foperatio n equat e t o safety . Th e statistic s provide d i n th e late rparto fthi s request , sho wtha t turbopro p engine s ar e substantiall yles s likel y t o fai l tha n reciprocatin g engines . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTractor s ar e powere d b yPrat t & Whitne yPT- 6 turbo-pro p engines . Thes e engine s ar e buil tfo rhig h reliability . Additionally , Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C complie s wit h manufactures ' recommende d overhau l period s o rFAAapprove d intervals . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s PT- 6 engine s ar e operate d o n a n inspectio n progra m t o increas e reliability , durabilit yan d safety . Therefore , Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTractor s powere d b yPrat t& Whitne yPT- 6 turbo-pro p engine s ar e les s likel yt o experienc e a n engin e failur e tha n th e mult i engin e pisto n powere d aircraf tallowe d b ythi s rule . Singl e Engin e vs . Multi-Enoin e Logically , th e purpos e o fhavin g tw o engine s instea d o fon e i s that , i n th e even to fa n engin e failure , th e mult i engin e airplan e shoul d b e abl e t o b e flow n t o a n airport wher e i t ca n lan d safely . Thi s mayo rma yno tb e achievabl e dependin g o n th e situatio n a thand . Wit h th e exceptio n o fcenteriin e thrust , wha ti s ALWAY S tru e whe n a mult i engin e pilo texperience s a n engin e failur e i s tha th e mus tfirs t tak e severa l step s t o preven thimsel ffro m completel yloosin g contro l o fth e airplane . Th e followin g i s directl yexcerpte d fro m FA Apublicatio n P 8740-19 , Flvin a Ligh tTwin s Safely : Th e majo rdifferenc e betwee n flyin g a twi n engin e an d a singl e engin e airplan e i s knowin g ho wt o manag e th e fligh ti fon e engin e lose s powe rfo ran yreason . Saf e flight wit h on e engine-outrequire s a n understandin g o fth e basi caerodynamic s involve d a s wel l a s proficienc yi n engine-ou tprocedures .Los s o fpowe rfro m on e engin e affect s bot h clim b performanc e an d controllabilif vo fan y ligh ttwin , (emphasi s added ) Clim b performanc e depend s o n a n exces s o fpowe rove rtha trequire d fo rleve l flight. Los s o fpowe rfro m on e engin e obviousl yrepresent s a 50 % los s o fpowe rbut , i n virtuall y al l ligh ttwins , clim b performanc e i s reduce d b ya tleas t80% . Th e amoun to fpowe rrequire d fo rleve l fligh tdepend s o n ho wmuch dra g mus tb e 'overcome ' t o sustai n leve l flight. It' s obvious , tha ti fdra g i s increase d becaus e th e gea r an d flaps ar e dow n an d th e pro p windmilling , mor e powe rwil l b e required . No ts o obvious , however , is th e fac ttha tdra g als o increase s a s th e squar e o fth e airspee d whil e powe rrequire d t o maintai n tha tspee d increase s a s th e cub e o fth e airspeed . Thus , clim b performanc e depend s o n fou rfactors : * Airspee d - to o littl e o rto o much wil l decreas e clim b performance . * Dra g - gear , flaps, cow l flaps, pro p an d speed . * Powe r- amoun tavailabl e i n exces s o ftha tneede d fo rleve l flight . * Weigh t- passengers , baggag e an d fue l loa d greatl yaffec tclim b performance . Multi-engin e aircraf tmodifie d fo raeria l applicatio n hav e th e additiona l burde n o fdra g produce d b yspra yboom s an d othe ragricultura l appliance s mounte d o n th e exterio ro f th e airplane . Performanc e dat a provide d b yth e mult i engin e aircraf tmanufacture rmigh t sho wtha ti tca n clim b wit h a n engin e failur e bu tthi s i s base d o n idea l conditions , n o additiona l externall ymounte d equipment , an d th e pilo t doin g everythin g exactl yright. Pilot s ar e license d b yth e FAAi n accordanc e wit h thei rPractica l Tes tStandard s (PTS) . Th e FA ACommercia l Multi-Engin e PT S FAA-S-808 1 include s th e followin g note : Examiner s shal l selec ta n entn^ ^ altitud e tha twil l allo wth e singl e engin e demonstration s t o b e complete d n o lowe rtha n 3.00 0 fee tf92 0 meters ) AG Lo rth e manufacturer' s recommende d altitude , whicheve ri s higher , (emphasi s added ) Thi s not e show s tha tth e FAAcleariyrecognize s th e dange rtha t a n engin e failur e pose s t o th e controllabilit yo fa multi-engin e airplan e operate d a ta n altitud e lowe rtha n 300 0 fee tabov e groun d leve l (AGL) . Aeria l applicatio n require s tha tthes e sam e airplane s b e operate d a t5 0 fee tabov e tre e top level . Th e FA APractica l Tes tStandar d delineate s tha tth e pilo t o fa multi-engin e aircraf t tha t experience s a n engin e failur e whil e involve d i n aeria l applicatio n 5 0 fee tabov e tre e to p leve l must : Recogniz e a n engin e failur e promptly , maintai n control , an d utiliz e appropriat e emergenc yprocedures . Reduc e dra g raisin g th e landin g gea ro rflap s a s appropriate . Identifyan d verif yth e inoperativ e engine . Feathe rth e propelle ro n th e inoperativ e engine .Establis h VYS E (Bes trat e o fclim b wit h on e engin e inoperative) ; I f

obstruction s ar e present , establis h VXS E (Bes tangl e o fclim b wit h on e engin e inoperative ) o rVM C (minimu m contro l spee d wit h th e critica l engin e inoperative ) + 5 knots , whicheve ri s greater , unti l obstruction s ar e cleared . The n transitio n t o VYSE . Ban k towar d th e operatin g engin e a s require d fo rbes t performance . Monito rth e operatin g engin e an d mak e adjustments , a s necessary . Recogniz e th e airplane' s performanc e capabilities . I fa clim b i s no t possibl e a tVYSE , maintai n VYS E an d retur n t o th e departur e airportfo r landing , o rinitiat e a n approac h t o th e mos tsuitabl e landin g are a available . Secur e th e inoperativ e engine . Complet e a n emergenc ychecklist . Th e pilo tmus taccomplis h all o fthes e task s withou tcollidin g wit h th e groun d below , anothe rairplan e o ron e o fth e man yobstacle s encountere d flyin g a t 5 0 fee t abov e tre e top level . Man yo fthes e task s requir e tha tth e pilo tkee p hi s eye s insid e th e cockpi t fo r a n extende d perio d o ftime . B ycomparison , i n accordanc e wit h FAAH-8083-3 , Airplan e FIvin g Handbook , th e pilo t o fa singl e engin e aircraf ttha texperience s a n engin e failur e whil e involve d i n aeria l applicatio n fift yfee tabov e groun d leve l must : Establis h an d maintai n th e recommende d bes tglid e airspeed , ±1 0 knots . Selec ta suitabl e landin g area . Follo wth e appropriat e checklist . Yo u don' thav e t o b e a Huma n Factor s expert t o se e tha ta t5 0 fee tabov e th e tre e to p level , whic h o fthes e scenario s i s mos t likel yt o hav e th e bette routcome . Further , i n th e case o fa n Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C Ai rTractor , th e aircraf twil l b e operatin g a tgreate r tha n bes tglide spee d an d th e pilo twil l b e abl e t o climb , tradin g tha t spee d fo raltitud e an d time . Additionally , Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Congeste d Area Plan s provid e emergenc ylandin g area s t o thei rpilots . Thes e area s ar e reviewe d pre-fligh teveryda y o foperatio n an d thei rpilot s kno wwher e the yar e i n relation t o thes e area s a t al l times . Therefore , despit e a mult i engin e pisto n powere d airplan e havin g th e secon d engin e available , i ti s stil l mor e likel yt o cras h i n th e even to fa n engin e failur e tha n th e singl e engin e Ai rTractor . I n th e relativel yunlikel yeven ta n Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C Ai r Tracto rexperience s a n engin e failure , th e pilo twil l b e abl e t o us e th e store d energ yo fth e airspee d tha th e i s flyin g t o clim b an d trave l accordin g t o Ai rTracto rManufacturer' s

data , i n exces s o f1. 5 mile s t o a pre-determine d landin g are a an d land . Th e Curren tMult i Engin e Reguiremen t W e hav e state d tha toperatin g a singl e engin e turbopro p powere d Ai rTracto raircraf t purpos e buil tfo ragricultura l applicatio n t o takeof fan d mak e turnaround s ove r congeste d area s i n a loade d configuratio n i s safer . Wha tneed s t o b e furthe rexplore d i s tha toperatin g a mult i engin e airplan e i n thi s environmen t i s no tjus tles s safe , i t i s dangerous . Th e curren tregulatio n state s a s follows : § 137.5 1 Operatio n ove rcongeste d areas : Genera l (a ) Notwithstandin g Part9 1 o fthi s chapter , a n aircraf tma yb e operate d ove ra congeste d are a a taltitude s require d fo rth e prope raccomplishmen to fth e agricultura l aircraf toperatio n i fth e operatio n i s conducte d - (1 ) Wit h th e maximu m safet vt o person s an d propert vo n th e surface , consisten twit h th e operation ; (emphasi s added ) Th e regulatio n require s tha tagricultura l operator s operat e wit h th e maximu m safet yt o person s an d propert ybu ti n orde rt o tak e offo rtur n i n a loade d configuration , th e rul e require s tha tthe yutiliz e multi-engin e aircraft . Whe n w e revie wth e FAA' s ow n Airplan e Flyin g Handboo k

(FAA8083) , w e fin d tha tthi s i s inconsisten twit h 1 4 CF R 137.5 1 (b ) (5) . § 137.5 1 Operatio n ove rcongeste d areas : General . (b ) N o perso n ma yoperat e a n aircraf tove ra congeste d are a excep t i n accordanc e wit h th e requirement s o fthi s paragraph . (5 ) Multiengin e aircraf tmus tb e operate d a s follows : (ii ) N o perso n mayoperat e a multiengin e airplan e a t a weigh t greate rtha n th e weigh tthat , wit h th e critica l engin e inoperative , woul d permi ta rat e o fclim b o fa tleas t5 0 fee tpe rminut e a ta n altitud e o fa tleas t1.00 0 fee tabov e th e elevatio n o fth e highes t groun d o robstructio n withi n th e are a t o b e worke d o ra ta n altitud e o f5.00 0 fee twhicheve ri s higher . Fo rth e purpose s o fthi s subdivision , i ti s assume d tha tth e propelle ro fth e inoperativ e engin e i s i n th e minimu m dra g position ; tha t th e win g flap s an d landin g gea rar e i n th e mos tfavorabl e positions ; an d tha tth e remainin g engin e o rengine s ar e operatin g atth e maximu m continuou s powe ravailable , (emphasi s added ) Th e regulatoryrequiremen tfo ra clim b wit h th e critica l engin e inoperativ e i s expresse d a s " a rat e o fclim b o fa tleas t5 0 fee tpe rminute" . Th e FAA' s Airplan e Flyin g Handboo k (FAA8083 ) explains th e certificatio n standard s fo rreciprocatin g engin e powere d mult i engin e airplanes :

8VM C - Minimu m contro l spee d wit h th e critica l engin e inoperative . Ther e i s n o reouiremen ti n thi s determinatio n tha tth e airplan e b e capabl e o fclimbin g a tthi s airspeed . VM C onl yaddresse s directiona l control . Th e curren t1 4 CF R part2 3 single-engin e clim b performanc e requirement s fo r reciprocatin g engin e powere d multiengin e airplane s ar e a s follows . •6,00 0 pound s o rles s maximu m weigh tan d VS O 6 1 knot s o rless ; th e single engin e rat e o fclim b a t5,00 0 fee tMS Lmus tsimpl yb e determined . Th e rat e o f clim b coul d b e a necativ e number . Ther e i s n o requiremen tfo ra single-engin e positive rat e o fclim b a t5.00 0 fee to ran yothe raltitude . Fo rlight-twin s typ e certificate d February4,1991 , o rthereafter , th e singl e engin e clim b gradien t (positiv e o rnegative ) i s simpl ydetermined . Rat e o fclim b i s th e altitud e gai n pe r uni to ftime , whil e clim b gradien ti s th e actua l measur e o faltitud e gaine d pe r10 0 fee to fhorizonta l travel , expresse d a s a percentage . A n altitud e gai n o f1. 5 fee t pe r10 0 fee t o ftrave l (o r1 5 fee tpe r1,000 , o r15 0 fee tpe r10,000 ) i s a clim b gradien t o f1. 5 percent , (emphasi s added ) I n accordanc e wit h 1 4 CF R Part23 , smal l mult i engin e airplane s hav e n o FA A certificatio n requiremen tfo ra singi e engin e positiv e rat e o fciimb . Aircraf t performanc e t o compl ywit h FAAcertificatio n standard s i s base d o n clim b gradient . Thi s make s th e agricultura l operato ro rfo rtha tmatte rFA AInspector' s abilit yt o detennin e whethe ra mult i engin e airplan e ca n compl ywit h 1 4 CF R § 137.5 1 (b ) (5 ) improbable . Abov e an d beyon d that , i ti s als o apparen ttha t1 4 CF R § 137.5 1 (b ) (5 ) hold s n o requiremen tfo rthes e multi-engin e aircraf t use d i n agricultura l operation s flyin g 5 0 fee t abov e tre e to p leve l t o maintai n engine s withi n th e manufacturer' s overhau l times . Ther e i s n o requiremen tfo rthe m t o hav e a lo wfue l warnin g syste m o rsystem s tha t provid e pilot s wit h informatio n whil e th e pilo t keep s hi s eye s outsid e th e aircraft . Ther e i s n o requiremen ttha tth e pilot s hav e additiona l trainin g regardin g engin e failure s lo wt o th e groun d a tlo wspeed s i n steepl ybanke d turns . Th e faste ra n aircraf ti s flying , th e large rth e tur n radius . Conversely , th e slowe ra n aircraf ti s flying , th e smalle rth e tur n radius . Amajo rfacto ro fflyin g a n agricultura l applicatio n i n a congeste d are a i s th e nee d fo rmultipl e turn s t o b e mad e i n a verysmal l radius . Thi s necessitates tha tth e mult i engin e airplane s require d b ythi s regulatio n t o b e flow n a ta lo wspee d an d turne d a thighe rtha n standar d ban k angles . Onc e agai n th e FAA' s Airplan e Flyin g Handboo k (FAA8083 ) i s instructive . Engin e failure s wel l abov e th e groun d ar e handle d differentl ytha n thos e occurrin g a t lowe rspeed s an d altitudes . Cruis e airspee d allow s bette rairplan e control , an d altitud e ma ypermi ttim e fo ra possibl e diagnosi s an d remed yo fth e failure . T o maintai n directiona l contro l o fa multiengin e airplan e sufferin g a n engin e failur e a tlo w speed s (suc h a s climb) , momentaril yban k a tleas t5'' , an d a maximu m o f10 ° toward s th e operativ e engin e a s th e pitc h attitud e fo rVYS E i s set . Thi s maneuve rshoul d b e instinctiv e t o th e proficien tmultiengin e pilo tan d tak e onl y1 t o 2 second s t o attain . I ti s hel d jus tlon g enoug h t o assur e directiona l contro l a s th e pitc h attitud e fo rVYS E i s assumed .Amult i engin e airplan e tha ti s i n a slo wsteepl ybanke d tur n an d suffer s failur e o fth e

engin e o n th e insid e o ftha ttur n a t5 0 fee tabov e tre e top leve l i s goin g t o crash . I n orde rt o maintai n control , th e pilo twoul d b e require d t o ban k th e airplan e a tleas t5 ° t o 10 ° toward s th e operativ e engine . Whe n a n engin e fail s an d th e aircraf ti s banke d a t leas t45* ^ toward s th e inoperativ e engine , i ti s unlikel ytha tth e pilo twil l eve n detec tth e engin e failur e befor e th e operatin g engin e roll s hi m int o th e groun d an d h e dies . Onc e agai n th e FAA' s Airplan e Flyin g Handboo k (FAA8083 ) i s enlightening . I n On e Engin e Inoperativ e (OEI ) fligh ta tlo waltitude s an d airspeed s suc h a s th e initia l clim b afte rtakeoff , pilot s mus toperat e th e airplan e s o a s t o guard agains tth e thre e majo r acciden tfactors : (1 ) los s o fdirectiona l control , (2 ) los s o fperformance , an d (3 ) los s o f flyin g speed . Al l hav e egua l potentia l t o b e lethal , (emphasi s added ) N o doubt , i n 196 7 th e author s o fthi s regulatio n believe d tha tlogicall ytw o engine s ar e bette rtha n on e withou tknowledg e o fth e physic s involve d o rbenefi to fFA Atrainin g publication s o ranothe r4 3 year s o fdevelopmen tan d statistics . Statistic s Th e statistic s furthe rprov e tha ttha tw e ar e safe rtakin g offo rturnin g ou rturbopro p Ai r Tracto raircraf tove ra congeste d are a tha n i fw e wer e operatin g pisto n powere d multi engin e airplane s fo rth e sam e task . Th e followin g safet yinformatio n i s summarize d fro m th e content s o fa reportprepare d by : RobertE . Breilin g Associates , Inc. , Boc a Raton , FL , base d o n th e informatio n availabl e fro m NTS B an d FA Asources . SINGL E TURBOPRO P POWERPLAN TAIRCRAF TRELIABILIT Y Summary/Finding s Powerplan tReliabilit yComparativ e Dat a - Fiv e Yea rAverage . 1992-199 6 Accident s pe r100,00 0 hour s b ymajo raircraf ttype , 5 yea raverag e 1992-199 6 Singl e engin e reciprocatin g powere d aircraf t9.26 % Multi-engin e reciprocatin g powere d aircraf t5.68 % < Multi-engin e turbopro p powere d aircraf t4.34 % Singl e engin e turbopro p aircraf t1.46 % M Percen to fgenera l aviatio n fixe d win g aircraf taccident s attribute d t o powe rlos s - al l cause s - 5 yea raverage , 1992-199 6 Singl e engin e reciprocatin g powere d aircraf t33.5 % Multi-engin e reciprocatin g powere d aircraf t 27.6 % - 4 Multi-engin e turbopro p powere d aircraf t8.0 % Singl e engin e turbopro p aircraf t0 % M

1 0Breilin g concludes : Base d o n th e revie wan d analysi s o facciden tdat a involvin g mult i an d singl e reciprocatin g an d turbopro p powerplan tmalfunctio n / failur e accident s an d analysi s o fth e variou s powerplan treliabilit ydat a available , a singl e turbopro p powere d aircraft , wit h adeouat e backu p system s provide d i n it' s design , wil l b e mor e reliable , involve d i n fewe r powerplan tmalfunctio n / failur e relate d accident s tha n tha to fsingl e o rmult i reciprocatin g powere d fixe d win g aircraf tan d comparabl e t o th e reliabilit vo fa multi-turbopro p powere d aircraft , (emphasi s added ) Preceden t A ton e tim e th e FAAprohibite d 1 4 CF R § 13 5 singl e engin e (SE ) operation s unde r instrumen tfligh trule s (IFR ) an d nigh t operation s i n bot h reciprocatin g an d turbine powere d aircraft . I n Ma y199 8 regulation s wer e revised t o expan d S E operatin g authority , wit h th e provis o tha tadditiona l maintenance , equipmen trequirements , aircre w trainin g an d experienc e level s wer e met . Man yfactor s influence d th e decision , includin g dat a showin g th e Cessn a C20 8 Carava n turbopro p t o hav e a hig h leve l o freliabilit yan d Canada' s positiv e experienc e wit h S E IFR . Cessn a C20 8 Carava n fata l accident s i n th e USA , 1985-199 6 (2. 6 millio n fligh t hours) , wer e 0.5 6 pe r100,00 0 hours ; fata l accident s du e t o mechanica l failure s o fth e engin e wer e zero . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTracto raircraf tar e equippe d wit h th e sam e Prat t& Whitne yPT- 6 turbopro p engin e a s th e Cessn a C20 8 Caravan , Al' s Aeria l Spravinq . LL C Maintenance . Eouipment . an d Aircre wExperienc e Level s Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C i s a smal l discipline d agricultura l operation . W e hav e bee n i n busines s fo rthirt ytw o years . Compare d t o th e FAA10 0 hou rrequirement , ou rpilot s hav e a ta minimu m 2,50 0 hour s o fagricultura l time , minimu m o f6,50 0 hour s tota l tim e an d averag e 14,50 0 hour s o fflyin g time . Ou rpilot s hav e chose n t o mak e aeria l applicatio n thei rprofession . The yhav e worke d wit h ou rfir m fo rsevera l year s an d hav e al l worked o n thousand s o facre s ove rcongeste d areas . Th e Ai rTracto ri s th e onl yaircraf ttha tAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C operates . Th e desig n o f th e Ai rTracto ri s th e cornerston e tha tprovide s th e necessaryvisibility , maneuverability , reliability , an d excellen tglide distanc e tha tha s mad e ou rimpeccabl e safet yrecor d possible . Prat tan d Whitne yPT- 6 turbine s provid e th e power-plan tfo rall ou rAi r Tractors . Thei rreliabilit yi s wel l documente d i n th e aviatio n industry . Ai rTracto rInc . i n OIney , Texa s provide s superio rproduc tsupport . Thei rproactiv e testin g o faircraf ti s extensiv e an d ongoing . Ai rTractor' s Servic e Bulletin syste m anticipate s servic e difficultie s an d provide s solution s befor e problem s occur . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTractor s als o hav e cabi n hea tan d ai rconditionin g t o reduc e pilo t fatigue .

1 1I n additio n t o complianc e wit h airworthines s directive s an d inspections , ou rfir m als o

complie s wit h manufactures ' recommende d overhau l period s o rFAAapprove d intervals . Ou rfir m hold s a 13 5 certificate , an d maintain s ou rAi rTractor s t o th e sam e hig h standards . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s PT- 6 turbopro p engine s ar e operate d o n inspectio n programs . Thes e program s ar e aggressiv e inspectio n syste m designe d t o fin d problem s i n thei reari ystage s an d correc tthe m promptly . Earl ycorrectio n o fengin e problem s lead s t o increase d reliability , durabilit yan d safety . Al l o fAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTractor s ar e equippe d wit h a Supplementa l Typ e Certificat e (STC ) tha tpermit s singl e poin t refueling . Thi s featur e permit s ou rpilot s t o verif ytha tth e Ai rTractor s ar e ful l o ffue l an d prevent s the m fro m bein g mis-fueled . Further , thi s ST C provide s fue l totalizers , flo wmeters , an d lo wfue l light s s o w e kno w howmuc h fue l w e ar e burnin g an d ca n verif yfue l remaining . Thi s provide s ou rpilot s wit h th e necessaryinformatio n t o preven t fue l starvation . Eac h Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s Ai rTracto ri s equippe d wit h a SATLO C Differentiall y correcte d Global Positionin g Syste m (DGPS) . Thi s too l provide s th e pilo twit h th e locatio n o fth e closes tnon-congeste d are a a tall times . Additionally , eac h Ai rTracto r ha s a Garmi n 49 6 t o provid e ou rpilot s wit h weathe ran d airspac e information . Bot h o f thes e tool s provid e ou rpilot s wit h th e bes t situationa l awarenes s i n th e business . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C maintain s tw o discret e radi o frequencie s purchase d fro m Aviatio n Spectru m Resource s Inc . t o facilitat e communications . Thi s enhance s th e necessarycommunicatio n betwee n ou rapplicatio n aircraf twithou tconcer n fo r frequenc ycongestion . Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LLC' s congeste d are a plan s includ e dail yschedule d briefing s fo r ou rpilots . Thes e briefing s provid e ou rpilots ' a clea rpictur e o fth e congeste d are a pla n an d refres h thei rmemoryfo rth e flight s schedule d tha t day . Aeria l photo s o fth e area s t o b e spraye d ar e poste d i n ou roperation s traile ran d ar e reviewed . I fth e area s ar e complex , the n smalle raeria l photo s ar e provide d t o th e pilot s fo rus e i n th e cockpit . Additionally , Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C conduct s dail ypos tfligh tbriefings. Thi s provide s u s wit h rea l tim e feedbac k regardin g th e congeste d are a plan s an d al l aspect s o fou r operation . Ou rpilot s kno wthe yca n brin g u p an yexperienc e fo rdiscussion . I fchange s ar e warranted , the yca n an d wil l b e made . Thes e briefing s ar e a "chec k you regos a t th e door " an d "lear n fro m eac h others ' mistakes " typ e session s an d hav e helpe d u s maintai n th e safet yrecor d w e hav e today . Thes e pos tfligh tbriefing s ar e a n importan t componen to fou rcultur e o fsafet ytha tw e wor k t o promot e eac h an d everyday .

1 2SUMMAR Y

Th e rul e fro m whic h Al' s Aeria l Spraying . LL C seek s exemption : § 137.5 1 Operatio n ove rcongeste d areas : (b ) N o perso n mayoperat e a n aircraf tove ra congeste d are a excep ti n accordanc e wit h th e requirement s o fthi s paragraph . (4 ) Singl e engin e aircraf tmus tb e operate d a s follows : (i ) Excep tfo rhelicopters , n o perso n ma ytakeof fa loade d aircraft , o rmak e a turnaroun d ove ra congeste d area . Thi s i s t o reques trelie ffro m § 1 4 CF R 137.51(b ) (4 ) (i) . Thi s reques t propose s t o enhanc e safet yb yallowin g Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C t o utiliz e singl e engin e Prat t & Whitne yPT- 6 turbopro p powere d Ai rTracto raircraft , purpos e buil tfo ragricultura l applicatio n t o takeof fan d mak e turnaround s ove rcongeste d area s i n a loade d configuration . Informatio n an d dat a provide d b yAl' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C sho wtha t thi s i s i n th e publi cinteres tan d provide s a highe rleve l safet ytha n wha tcurrentl yexist s i n th e presen tregulation . Than k yo u fo ryou rassistanc e i n thi s matter . Sincerely , Michae l D . Schiffer , Partne r Al' s Aeria l Spraying , LL C 347 3 Nort h Shepardsvill e Roa d Ovid , M l 4886 6

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