AFS-12-396-E 

July 18, 2012 

 Exemption No. 7689F 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2001-8722 

Mr. Tracy Gallo 

Director Flight Operations Training 

SkyWest Airlines 

P.O. Box 22305 

Salt Lake City, UT 84122 

Dear Mr. Gallo: 

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

No. 7689, 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 May 22, 2012, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of SkyWest Airlines (SkyWest) for an extension of Exemption No. 7689, as amended. 

That exemption from § 121.434(c)(1)(ii) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows 

SkyWest to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman in place of an FAA inspector 

to observe a qualifying pilot in command (PIC) who is completing initial or upgrade training 

specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing. 

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 SkyWest. 
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Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 7689, 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. A SkyWest check airman or aircrew program designee may conduct a PIC observation in 

place of an FAA inspector when— 

 a. The Administrator pre-approves that substitution for each observation of a qualifying 

 PIC candidate, thus reserving first right of refusal to the FAA in each case. SkyWest, 

 therefore, must contact an appropriate FAA office in each instance before substituting 

 that check airman or aircrew program designee; 

b. The qualifying PIC candidate has completed no less than 10 hours of supervised 

operating experience (OE) and accomplished no fewer than two takeoffs and landings; 

and 

 c. The qualifying PIC candidate is performing PIC duties during a complete flight leg, 

 including flightdeck preparation, before starting engines checklist, taxi, takeoff, all 

 other flight phases, landing, taxi, and securing checklist. 

2. Each SkyWest check airman or aircrew program designee conducting a PIC observation in 

 place of an FAA inspector must— 

 a. Be approved by the Administrator to conduct the observation; 

 b. Have served as check airman or aircrew designee for SkyWest for no less than 

 6 months; and 

 c. Not supervise the OE or conduct the initial line check for the qualifying PIC 

 candidate being observed. 
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3. SkyWest must maintain student, check airman, and aircrew program designee records that 

 demonstrate compliance with the conditions and limitations of this exemption. 

The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 7689, as amended, to 

January 31, 2015, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/S/ 

Raymond Towles 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service