AFS-14-263-E

June 10, 2014

 Exemption No. 10580A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2008-0370

Mr. J. Mark Hansen

Lead Counsel

Federal Express Corporation

3620 Hacks Cross Road, Building B, 3rd Floor

Memphis, TN 38125

Dear Mr. Hansen:

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

No. 10580. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions and 

limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated April 22, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf 

of Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) for an extension of Exemption No. 10580. That 

exemption from § 121.651(b)(2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows FedEx 

aircraft properly equipped with Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) to continue an approach 

beyond the final approach fix, or to begin the final approach segment of an instrument approach 

procedure, when the latest weather report for that airport reports the visibility to be less than the 

visibility minimums prescribed for that procedure.

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 FedEx.
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Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10580 remains 

valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority 

provided by 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113, and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated 

to me, Federal Express Corporation is granted an extension to the exemption from 14 CFR

121.651(b)(2) that allows FedEx aircraft properly equipped with EFVS to continue an approach 

beyond the final approach fix, or to begin the final approach segment of an instrument approach 

procedure, when the latest weather report for that airport reports the visibility to be less than the 

visibility minimums prescribed for that procedure, subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption is applicable to pilots of FedEx airplanes equipped with an FAAcertified EFVS.

2. This exemption applies only to approaches (except Category (CAT) II and CAT III 

approaches) conducted using line selectable approaches from the aircraft’s flight 

management system database that provide vertical and lateral guidance. 

3. Prior to conducting an approach beyond the final approach fix or beginning the final 

approach segment of an instrument approach procedure, the latest weather reports for 

the airport must indicate that the runway visual range (RVR) for the runway to which the 

approach will be conducted is at least 1,000 feet (or 1,600 feet if the tower at that 

airport is closed). If RVR information is not available, the visibility must be at least 1⁄4 

sm. 

4. The inbound final approach course cannot differ by more than 10 degrees from the 

actual magnetic alignment of the runway of intended landing.

5. The maximum crosswind component for the landing runway is less than the airplane flight 

manual’s crosswind limitation, or 15 knots or less, whichever is more restrictive.

6. Prior to continuing an approach procedure beyond the final approach fix or beginning the 

final approach segment of an instrument approach procedure using the visibility 

minimums set forth in this exemption, the pilot in command of the aircraft must:

a. For initial qualification, complete an approved EFVS training program that 

includes:

1. A minimum of 10 hours of actual operational line experience

 using EFVS; and
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 2. The performance of at least six instrument approaches using EFVS in an 

aircraft in either instrument or visual meteorological conditions.

b. For continuing qualification:

1. Perform and log at least six instrument approaches using EFVS in an 

aircraft or flight simulator within the 6 calendar months preceding the 

month of the performance of any approach conducted under the 

provisions of this exemption; or 

2. Successfully complete a pilot proficiency check administered by an 

examiner or approved pilot check airman or successfully complete an 

approved EFVS continuing qualification-training module.

7. FedEx must develop and maintain an approved EFVS training program. This training 

program must include comprehensive instruction to aid pilots in determining visibilities 

using EFVS and natural vision at or near the landing (100 feet) “break out” phase of the 

approach. Specific emphasis must be placed on: EFVS theory, the effects of various 

weather phenomena on determining measured visibility, and the operational aspects and 

limitations of Heads-up Display (HUDs) and imaging sensors. The training program must 

also include 4 hours of full flight simulator training to include specialized training in low 

altitude missed approaches, special departure procedures, and specifically tailored crew 

briefs on obstacle clearances inside the missed approach point and below decision 

altitude/dimension height or minimum descent altitude (DA/DH or MDA). Specific 

training must also be provided in determining required flight visibility (without EFVS) and 

enhanced visibility (with EFVS). Ground training may be provided by video, DVD, or 

equivalent instructional media. FedEx must also have procedures in place to check that 

those pilots who have received this training are properly qualified to conduct operations 

under the provisions of this exemption.

8. FedEx must develop a special section in each aircraft’s approved flight manual that will 

include specific crew callouts while operating under the provisions of this exemption. 

These callouts should assist the second in command with situational awareness by 

mirroring what the pilot in command sees or does not see. All pilots conducting 

approaches under this exemption must receive training on the use of these callouts.

9. For operations conducted at foreign airports, both the conditions and limitations of this 

exemption and the requirements of the local civil aviation authority apply.

10. FedEx must develop an approved monitoring/feedback program that will permit FedEx 

and the FAA to monitor the conduct of operations conducted under this exemption. At 
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a minimum, the monitoring/feedback program must report the number of approaches 

flown using this exemption, the reported visibility, and the number of missed approaches 

executed due to the required visual references not

being seen at 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation (TDZE). The 

monitoring/feedback program will have the appropriate program tracking reporting 

subsystem codes so that data points can be developed and monitored. 

11. All approaches conducted under the provisions of this exemption must be performed by 

the pilot in command of the aircraft. 

12. FedEx may not conduct EFVS operations under the provisions of this exemption unless 

it has been issued Operations Specification C048.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of July 31, 2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

/S/

John Barbagallo

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service