AFS-11-047-E 

Dec 13 2010 

 Exemption No. 8551D 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2005-20651 

Mr. Michael J. Grimm 

Director of Flight Operations 

Aero Union Corporation 

3237 Peacekeeper Way, Suite 201 

McClellan, CA 95952 

Dear Mr. Grimm: 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption 

No. 8551, as amended. It explains the basis for our decision and describes its effect. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated November 11, 2010, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) on behalf of Aero Union Corporation (AUC) for an extension of Exemption No. 8551, 

as amended. That exemption from § 91.611 of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

(14 CFR) allows AUC to conduct ferry flights with one engine inoperative on its eight 

Lockheed P-3A/B aircraft without obtaining a special flight permit for each flight. 

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 AUC. 

Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 8551, 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 
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Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the conditions and 

limitations listed below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. Before exercising the privileges of this exemption, an appropriately rated and 

certificated maintenance technician must inspect and review the following to 

determine if the aircraft is in safe condition for a one-engine-inoperative ferry flight: 

a. the affected airplane, its engines, and maintenance records; 

b. the aircraft maintenance manual; 

c. the instructions for continued airworthiness; and 

d. the discrepancy logs. 

 The technician must determine whether the propeller brake may be used to lock the 

 propeller of the affected engine to prevent windmilling with the propeller in the 

 featherhead position. If the propeller brake is inoperative, the propeller must be 

 removed, the engine intake plugged, and a plate installed to prevent air damage to the 

 cowling. The technician must make an entry in the aircraft’s maintenance records 

 certifying that the airplane is in safe condition for a one-engine-inoperative flight. 

2. One-engine-inoperative ferry flights are permitted only when visual flight conditions 

are forecast at points of takeoff and landing or any alternate points of landing. 

3. One-engine-inoperative ferry flights are permitted only with crew essential to the 

flight. 

4. Before exercising the privileges of this exemption, AUC must provide the Sacramento 

Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 6650 Belleau Wood Lane, Sacramento, 

California 95822, with a current copy of its policy and procedures manual. Although 

the FSDO shall not approve or accept the policy and procedures manual, AUC must 

also provide the FSDO with any changes to that manual. If changes to the manual 

affect the provisions of this exemption, no one-engine-inoperative ferry flights can be 

conducted until the change is reviewed by the FAA and its impact on the conditions of 

the exemption is determined. 

5. Before exercising the privileges of this exemption, AUC must provide the Sacramento 

FSDO with the names and position title of management personnel with responsibility 

for the Air Tanker Division. During the use of this exemption, the Air Tanker 

Division must promptly notify the Sacramento FSDO of any changes in management 

personnel or Air Tanker Division policies and procedures. If changes to Air Tanker 

Division management personnel policies or procedures affect the provisions of this 

exemption, no one-engine-inoperative ferry flights can be conducted until the change 
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is reviewed by the FAA and its impact on the conditions of the exemption is 

determined. 

6. When exercising the privileges of this exemption, one-engine-inoperative ferry flights 

must be conducted by a dedicated ferry flightcrew. This flightcrew must receive 

appropriate training in three-engine ferry flights that is in accordance with AUC’s 

three-engine ferry procedures and policy manual that is acceptable to the Sacramento 

FSDO. 

7. When exercising the privileges of this exemption, the operating weight of the P-3 is 

limited to 100,000 pounds maximum, unless further limited by climb performance, 

field altitude, runway length, or temperatures. Takeoffs must be made from a dry 

runway surface with consideration given to existing crosswind with regard to required 

runway length and directional control. 

8. When exercising the privileges of this exemption, the operating weight of the P-3 

airplanes must be the minimum necessary for the one-engine-inoperative ferry flight 

with necessary reserve fuel load. 

9. The approved flight manual for each airplane operated pursuant to this exemption 

must contain performance data and operating and maintenance procedures for the safe 

operation of the airplane as required by § 91.611. 

The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 8551, as amended, to 

April 30, 2013, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

Raymond Towles 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service