LA W OFFICE S O F 

## MARSTON & COLE , 

### P.C . ERI N B . MARSTO N 82 1 N STREET . SUIT E 20 8 TELEPHON E (907 ) 277-800 1 BREN T R . COL E ANCHORAGE , ALASK A 99501-213 6 TELECOPIE R(907 ) 277-800 2 marslonfSimtrsloiicolf.con i Direc t Dial : (907 ) 277-800 4 

### Januar y 27 , 201 2 •': ; L1. 1 —'

- - . i 

### CERTIFIE D MAI L - RETUR N RECEIP T REQUESTE D _ - :: : • ; U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n J y^'^\'^ , Docke t Operations , M-3 0 ~ I o o Wes t Buildin g groun dfloor , n : Roo mW12-14 0 "' ^ 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Avenue , S.E . Washington , D.C . 2059 0 Re : Iditaro dAi r

Forc e - Reques t

for Extensio n o f

Exemptio n No . 981 0 Ou r Fil e No . 3082.00 1 Dea r Sir o r Madam : Thi s respond s t o th e FAA' s Decembe r 30 , 201 1 postcar dnotificatio n directe dt o Gregor y A . Mille r concernin g th e Iditaro dAi r Force' s reques t

t o exten dExemptio n No . 9810 . Mr . Mille r wa s recentl y appointe daSuperio r Court Judg e i n Anchorage , Alaska . I wil l b e representin g th e "Iditaro dAi r

Force " ("lAF" ) relatin g t o th e exemptio n an dwoul dappreciat e receivin g future correspondenc e concernin g thi s matter . Pleas e accep t this lette r

a s areques t

o n behal f

o f th e lA F an do n behal f

o f th e Iditaro dTria l Committe e t o exten dExemptio n No . 981 0 (Regulatory Docke t No . FAA-2008-124 6 for fiv e years . Pursuan t t o 1 4 CF RPart

11 , an di n particular

1 4 CF R§ 11.81 , 1 amproviding th e FAA wit h th e followin g information . I a mals o providin g acomplet e cop y o f ou r Novembe r

6 , 200 8 petition , ou r

Marc h 20 , 200 9 reques t for extension , th e FAA' s Exemptio n No . 981 0 an dth e January 29 , 201 0 Correcte dCop y grantin g th e petition . (Exhibit s 1 , 2 , 3 an d4 ) (a ) You r

nam e an dmailin g addres s and , i f vo u wish ^ othe r

contac t informatio n suc h a s afax number , telephon e number , o r e-mai l address . Eri n B . Marsto n La w Office s o f

Marsto n & Cole , P.C . 82 1 N Street , Suit e 20 8 Anchorage , Alask a9950 1 (907)277-800 1 (907 ) 277-800 2 (facsimile ) emarston@marstoncole.co mU.S . Departmen t o f Transportatio n Pag e 2 of 3 January 27 , 201 2 (b ) Th e specifi c sectio n o r section s o f

1 4 CF Rfro mwhic h vo u see k a n exemption . 1 4 CF R§61.113(a ) an d1 4 CF R§ 119.21(a)(1). (c ) Th e exten t

o f relie f vo u seek , an dth e reaso n vo u see k th e relief . W e see k th e sam e term s an dcondition s a s state di n Exemptio n No . 9810 , exceptin g tha t w e reques t

th e expiratio n dat e b e extende dt o Apri l 30 , 2017 . Th e reason s ar e als o th e sam e a s se t ou t i n ou r Novembe r

6 , 200 8 an dJanuary 7 , 200 9 petition , an da t page s 1- 5 o f th e FAA' s Exemptio n No . 9810 . (d ) Th e reason s wh y grantin g you r reques t woul db e i n th e publi c interest ; tha t is , ho w i t woul dbenefi t

th e publi c a s awhole . Th e reason s wh y grantin g th e extensio n woul db e i n th e public' s interes t ar e th e sam e a s state db y th e FA A a

t page s 4- 5 o f

it s Exemptio n No . 9810 . W e agre e with th e FAA' s analysis , an dnothin g ha s change dfactuall y tha t woul di n turn alte r

tha t analysis . Rathe r

tha n repeat

that analysis , acop y o f

Exemptio n No . 981 0 i s attache dhereto . (e ) Th e reason s wh y grantin g th e exemptio n woul dno t adversel y affec t

safety , o r ho w th e exemptio n woul dprovid e aleve l o f safet y a t

leas t equa l t o tha t

provide db y th e rul e fro mwhic h yo u see k th e exemption . Here too , th e lA Fcontinue s t o agre e with th e analysi s se t fort h b y th e FAA , a

t page s 4- 5 o f Exemptio n No . 9810 , regardin g th e lAF' s operation s bein g a t leas t a s saf e (an di n th e lAF' s mind , fa r safer ) tha n operation s woul db e withou t th e exemption . Nothin g ha s change dfactuall y i n this respect , either , tha t woul dalte r

tha t analysis . (f ) A summar y w e ca n publis h i n th e Federa l Register , stating : (1 ) Th e rul e fro mwhic h yo u see k th e exemption ; an d (2 ) A brie f

descriptio n o f

th e natur e o f

th e exemptio n yo u seek . ' A fiv e year

exemptio n i s sough t

b y th e Iditaro dTrai l Committe e an dth e 'Iditaro dAi r

Force ' a s t o 1 4 CF R61.113(a ) an d1 4 CF R119.21(a)(1) , fo r th e Iditaro dAi r

Forc e t o continu e flyin g suppor t unde r 1 4 CF RPart

9 1 for th e 1,10 0 mil e Iditaro ddo g rac e i n Alaska . Exemption s hav e bee n grante dfor th e 2008 , 2009 , 2010 , 201 1 an d201 2 races . Th e exemptio n woul dpermi t

th e voluntee r

pilot s t o continu e acceptin g gas , oil , insurance , foo dan dminima l housin g durin g th e race , includin g th e pre - an dpost-rac e stagin g efforts. "U.S . Departmen t o f Transportatio n Pag e 3 o f 3 January 27 , 201 2 (g ) An y additiona l information , view s o r argument s availabl e t o suppor t you r request . Sinc e th e prior

petitio n an dExemptio n adequatel y se t fort h th e information , views , and arguments , nothin g furthe r i s believe dneede da

t thi s time . (h ) I f yo u wan t

t o exercis e th e privilege s o f you r exemptio n outsid e th e Unite d States , th e reaso n wh y yo u nee dt o d o so . No , th e lA Fdoe s no t

wis h t o exercis e th e privilege s o f th e exemptio n outsid e th e U.S . Than k you . I welcom e you r

calls , a s wel l a s thos e fromanyon e els e a t th e FAA . Very trul y yours , OFFICE&O FMARSTO N & COLE , P.C . 

## ^^OAM ^ Eri n B . Marsto n EBM/ks g Enclosure s cc ; Mr . Clin t

Weas e (Alask aRegion , Fligh t Standard s Divisio n Manager) ( w/encl. ) Mr . Scott Norma n (Anchorag e FSD O Manager ) (w/encl. ) Ms . Robi n Bloomfiel d(Anchorag e FSDO ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Howar dMarti n (FA A Regiona l Counsel ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Stan Hoole y (Executiv e Director , Iditaro dTrai l Committee ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Bert Hanso n (Chie f

Pilot , Iditaro dAi r

Force ) (w/encl. )LAWOFf^lCE S

BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNERAN D CHERO T t127WESTSEVENTHAVENU E • ANCHORAGE , ALASK A 99501-330 1 A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N

TEIEPHON E (907 ) 276-155 0 • (800)478-155 0 FACSIMIL E (907)278-368 0 HOJ . R . HORTO M I1>4 4 - 1»( ) RONAL D G . HRCH T W1LUM * KBrrmE R KATVVrVNA.BlAC K ADAMW.COO K JO N M . CeVORE CHARLE 8 R . EBEfV-E T SREOOR V 8 . FISHE R DOUGLA S 6 . PUU£R UiVXD . OAANC R DAVI D KAR L GROS S TIN A M . OROVIE B WMJ.1AMP.HOR W STEPHE N H . HUTCHING S DANIE L C.KEN T THOMA 3 F . KUNKN ^ •AVI D E . LAMPT ^ STANLE Y T LEW S JAME S H . USTEPt O GREGOR Y * . MILLE R JENNIFE R L OVNENS . Ph.D . MIOUEL J PARIG E TIMOTH Y J . PETUMENO S EUSABETHHROSa HOU. Y C . SOOZZ O O F COUNSE L JENNIFE R C . ALEXANDE R KENMeTHE.VAESA R 115 ! CONNECTICU T AVE , kW . SUIT E 120 0 WASHrNOTON , D.C . M W FACGtMJL

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A fiW WRITER' S DIREC T DIA L (907 ) 263-726 6 • WRITER' S DIREC T FA X (907 ) 276-368 0 • amiller@bhb.co m Novembe r6 , 200 8 U.S . Departmen t o f Transportatio n Documen t Managemen t Syste m 40 0 7t h Street , N W Roo m P L 40 1 Washington , D.C . 20591-000 1 Re : Iditaro d Ai rForc e - Petitio n fo rPar t 13 5 Exemptio n BHB C Fil e No . 999,999.919 6 Dea rSi ro rMadam ; Thi s i s a forma l petitio n b y m y client , th e Iditaro d Trai l Committee , fo ra n exemptio n t o 1 4 C.F.R . Par t 13 5 t o permi t th e "Iditaro d Ai rForce " t o continu e flyin g i n suppor t o f th e Iditaro d do g race . I hav e me t wit h pilot s o f th e lA F an d th e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e boar d o f directors . Th e executiv e directo ro f th e Iditaro d Trai l Committee , a s wel l a s th e Iditaro d Ai rForce' s ("lAF" ) chie f pilot , hav e i n tur n reviewe d an d approve d thi s submission , an d bot h th e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e an d th e lA F pilot s agre e t o follo w al l procedure s an d restriction s withi n thi s petition . Fo reas e thi s petitio n follow s th e fonna t o f Exemptio n No . 961 9 grante d t o th e lA F las t Febnjar y 15 , 2008 . I wil l simpl y incorporat e b y referenc e bot h th e Januar y 3 1 Petitio n an d th e Februar y 1 5 Exemption . Copie s o f bot h o f thos e document s ar e attached . M y suggeste d revise d languag e a s t o eac h o f th e 1 3 "Condition s an d Limitations " foun d a t page s 5- 6 o f Exemptio n No . 961 9 ar e se t fort h i n caps , I als o propos e tw o ne w condition s (1 4 an d 15) , t o addres s th e lengt h o f thi s exemptio n an d t o defin e precisel y wha t flight s th e lA F ca n conduc t pursuan t t o thi s exemption . 1 . "On! y U.S . registere d aircraf t ma y b e use d i n thes e fligh t operations. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . Non e o f th e plane s use d b y th e lA F hav e eve rbee n non-U.S . aircraft . 2 . "Th e Committee/IA F an d eac h aircraf t owne ran d operato rwil l assum e regulator y responsibilit y ensurin g tha t eac h aircraf t operate d unde rthi s exemptio n wil l hav e a curren t annua l inspectio n a s require d b y Sectio n 91.409(a ) a t th e tim e o f operation. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF .

F:\99999B\9196\00031607.DO C Exhibi t 1 Pag e 1 o f 2 2BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RAU ^ CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N Documen t Managemen t System , DO T Novembe r6 , 200 8 Pag e 2 3 . "Onl ythos e pilot s identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 ma y operat e unde rthi s exemption. " Thi s lis t is , a t leas t a t thi s juncture , th e sam e a s las t year' s list , an d thi s conditio n i s acceptabl e i f th e FA A deem s i t trul ynecessaryfo rsafety . Bu t give n tha t th e lis t i s hereb ybein g submitte d mor e tha n fou rmonth s prio rt o rac e start , name s ca n change . Th e lA F thu s request s slightl ymor e flexibl e language , a s follovi^s : "Onl ythos e pilot s identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 ma y operat e unde rthi s exemption , UNLES S ADDITIONA L NAME D PILOT(S ) AR E APPROVE D B Y TH E ANCHORAG E FSDO. " 4 . "Privat e pilo t certificat e holder s identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 ma y onl y carr yInanimat e propert yand/o rdogs. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptable , bu t t o incorporat e th e flexibilit yrequeste d i n Conditio n No . 3 , above , thi s shoul d rea d "Privat e pilo t certificat e holder s identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 , AN D AN Y OTHE R ADDITIONA L NAME D PRIVAT E PILOT S APPROVE D B Y TH E ANCHORAG E FSDO , ma y onl y carr yinanimat e propert yand/o rdogs. " 5 . "Commercia l pilo t certificat e holder s an d airiin e transpor t pilo t certificat e holder s identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 wh o d o no t posses s vali d secon d o r firs t clas s medica l certificate s ma y conduc t operation s tha t includ e carriag e o f inanimat e propert yand/o rdogs . N o person s ma y b e carried. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptable , althoug h wit h th e sam e chang e a s note d i n 3 an d 4 t o ad d "...identifie d i n Attachmen t 1 AN D PRIVAT E PILOT S APPROVE D B Y TH E ANCHORAG E FSD O ma yonl ycarry... " 6 . "O n flight s i n whic h passenger s ar e carrie d (e.g. , veterinarian s o r physicians) , th e pilot s mus t hol d a t leas t commercia l pilo t certificate s an d a t leas t secon d clas s airma n medica l certificates. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 7 . "Onl yU.S . certificate d airme n ma y ac t a s require d crewmember s o n aircraf t operate d unde rthi s exemption. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 8 . "Al l operation s wil l b e conducte d unde rda y visua l fligh t rule s (VFR) . N o nighttim e o rinstrumen t fligh t rule s Qf^^) operation s wil l b e conducte d i n an y operatio n affecte d b y o rsubjec t t o thi s exemption. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 9 . "Ai i passenger-carryin g operation s conducte d unde rthi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n accordanc e wit h par t 13 5 weathe rminimum s foun d i n Sectio n 135.205(a). " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF .

{F:\999999\9196»0031607.DOC } ExhJbJ t 1 Pag e 2 o f 2 2BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RANL ^ CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N Documen t Managemen t System , DO T Novembe r6 , 200 8 Pag e 3 10 . "Al l passenger-carryin g operation s conducte d unde rthi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n ful l complianc e wit h altitud e restriction s containe d i n Sectio n 135.203(a)(1). " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 11 . "Al l personne l affecte d by , relyin g on , o rotherwis e include d i n Attachmen t 1 o f thi s exemptio n shal l b e provide d a writte n cop yo f th e exemption. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 12 . " A cop yo f thi s exemptio n shal l b e carrie d aboar d eac h aircraf t operate d unde rth e exemption. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . 13 . "Th e Committee/IA F wil l conduc t a one-tim e briefin g o n th e condition s o f th e exemptio n fo ral l person s describe d abov e befor e an yperso n commence s an yfligh t operation s conducte d unde ran ysuc h exempt/on. " Thi s continue s t o b e acceptabl e t o th e lAF . Ther e ar e thre e othe rissue s beyon d th e thirtee n condition s containe d i n las t year' s exemption . First , th e lA F hereb ypropose s tha t thi s b e a fiv e yea rexemption , t o allo w fo r resolutio n o f a closely-relate d issue , non-profi t "merc yflights. " Sinc e 200 7 certai n nonprofi t flight s hav e bee n expressl yauthorize d b y1 4 C.F.R . §91.146 . Clearl yth e lAF' s flight s ar e no t fo rprofit , bu t thi s regulatio n nonetheles s applie s onl yt o flight s tha t begi n an d en d a t th e sam e place , an d onl yi f th e flight s ar e ver ylimite d i n number . Alask a Senato rLis a Murkowsk i recentl yintroduce d a bil l t o slightl yexpan d thi s scop e ( S 3553 , attached) . I f Congres s passe s thi s law , o ri f th e FA A othenA/is e expand s §91.146 , thi s shoul d permanentl yresolv e th e lA F situation . Th e lA F strongl ysupport s Senato rMurkowski' s bill . A five yea rexemptio n perio d woul d allo w eithe rCongres s o r th e FA A t o resolv e thi s issue , withou t th e nee d fo reithe rth e lA F o rth e FA A havin g t o needlessl yg o bac k

t o th e drawin g boar d eac h yea rfo ranothe rexemption . Th e lA F therefor e propose s th e followin g language , whic h i s designe d t o maintai n th e lAF' s safet ywhil e accommodatin g an ychange s Congres s o rth e FAA ma ymak e t o th e merc y fligh t regulation : "14 . THI S EXEMPTIO N SHAL L CONTINU E FO R FIV E YEARS , UNLES S TH E FA A (a ) FURTHE R EXTEND S THI S EXEMPTION , O R (b ) TH E lA F FLIGHT S AR E ENCOMPASSE D WITHI N AN Y REGULATION S THA T AR E TH E RESUL T O F REWRITIN G 14 . C.F.R . §91.146. " T o b e ver yclear , it i s m y understandin g tha t th e FA A i s considerin g a thre e yea rexemption , wherea s b ythi s petitio n th e lA F i s requestin g a fiv e yea rexemption . Bu t pe rm ypropose d language , above , ther e woul d b e n o downsid e t o grantin g a fiv e yea rexemptio n becaus e (1 ) safet yi s no t bein g compromise d durin g th e additiona l tw o yea rperiod , an d (2 ) th e exemptio n woul d b e shortene d if/whe n Congres s and/o rth e FA A resolv e th e merc y

(F:\999999\9196\00031507DOC } ExhlbJ t 1 Pag e 3 o f 2 2BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RANL * CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N Documen t Managemen t System , DO T Novembe r6 , 200 8 Pag e 4 fligh t issu e throug h a re-writin g o f th e regulatio n (o rpassag e o f a statute) . I thu s urg e you rcarefu l consideratio n t o ou rfiv e yea rrequest . Second , th e FAA ha s previousl yinquire d whethe rth e lA F ca n reduc e it s carriag e o f certai n passenger s b y utilizatio n o f loca l Par t 13 5 operators . T o d o it s jo b th e lA F need s t o transpor t no t jus t dog s an d straw , bu t als o mushers , volunteers , veterinarians , etc. , an d th e exemptio n woul d continu e t o permi t suc h flights , whic h i n tur n i s acceptabl e t o th e lAF . A n issu e beyon d thi s exists , however , a s t o th e carriag e o f medi a personnel . T o eliminat e an y confusion , som e discussio n i s neede d abou t precisel ywh o ca n b e flow n b y th e lAF . Th e lA F continue s t o strongl ymaintai n tha t th e lA F i s fa rsafe rtha n an y 13 5 operato rwh o migh t desir e t o mak e thes e sam e flights . Th e lA F ha s literall ythousand s an d thousand s o f Iditarod-specifi c flyin g hour s tha t spa n tw o decades . A s mentione d above , notwithstandin g th e lAF' s experienc e an d safet yrecor d ther e i s stil l a n issu e abou t th e carriag e o f medi a personnel . B y wa y o f background , th e medi a personne l tha t i n prio ryear s th e lA F ha s carrie d fal l int o thre e groups : tw o o f ITC' s licensee s ("Origina l Productions-Discover yChannel " an d "Versus") , an d ITC' s ow n medi a staff . Bot h Origina l Productions-Discover yChanne l an d Versu s marke t thei rproduct s commerciall yo n cabl e TV . O f th e tota l 1,48 6 flight s mad e b y th e lA F fo rlas t year' s race , 5 8 flight s wer e conducte d fo rOrigina l Productions/Discover yChanne l an d Versu s combined . Origina l Productions-Discover yChanne l ha d a cre w o f 1 9 people ; o f thes e 19 , th e lA F fle w 1 5 a t on e tim e o ranothe r(other s move d b y snowmachine , wer e base d onl yi n Anchorage , o rotherwis e di d no t fl y b y smal l plane) . Versus' s cre w totale d thre e people , an d th e lA F fle w al l thre e o f the m a t on e tim e o ranother . Th e lA F an d th e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e agre e tha t 100 % o f thes e Origina l Productions-Discover yChanne l an d Versu s flight s wil l no t b e flow n b y th e lA F unde r Par t 9 1 and/o rthi s exemption , an d instea d tha t certificate d 13 5 operator s wil l carr y thes e people . Pursuan t t o th e Iditaro d Trai l Committee' s contract s wit h thes e tw o organizations , th e IT C i s require d t o provid e thes e crew s wit h housin g an d logistica l support , includin g ai rtransportatio n fo ru p t o thre e peopl e pe rda y alon g th e rac e route . Th e IT C wil l thu s attemp t t o locat e 13 5 operator s willin g t o carr ythes e tw o productio n compan ymembers , eve n thoug h th e IT C wil l likel yen d u p havin g t o pa y fo rtha t transportation . I f a loca l 13 5 operato ri s no t availabl e o reconomicall yreasonable , th e lA F wil l fl y thes e peopl e onl ywit h lA F pilot s wh o posses s a vali d 13 5 certificate , an d al l suc h flight s wil l b e operate d unde rPart 135 . T o b e clea ro n thi s point , fiv e lA F pilot s hav e no w submitte d application s t o th e FA A t o becom e singl e pilo t 13 5 operators , an d onc e thos e certificate s ar e issue d thes e pilot s coul d carryth e tw o productio n crew s for . 100 % o f th e race . Pleas e kno w tha t thes e lA F pilot s wil l no t resort t o usin g thei r13 5 privileges , however , unles s a loca l 13 5 operato ri s unavailabl e o rno t economicall y

{F:\999999\9196\0003I607DOC ) Exhlbl t 1 Pag e 4 O

f 2 2BIRCH , HORTON . BITTNE RAN U CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N Documen t Managemen t System , DO T Novembe r6 , 200 8 Pag e 5 reasonable . Th e lA F wil l als o kee p record s o f it s solicitation s t o 13 5 operator s fo rsuc h non-essentia l flights , an d produc e suc h record s upo n reques t b yth e FAA . Tha t leave s onl yth e issu e o f ITC' s medi a personne l an d thei rai rtransport . Thes e peopl e ar e vita l t o th e iditarod , an d i n n o sens e doe s th e IT C dee m them t o b e i n th e sam e categor ya s Discover yo rVersus . Operationall ythe yar e treate d an d deeme d th e sam e a s th e rac e officials , veterinarians , etc . I t i s essentia l tha t the yb e abl e t o fl y wit h lA F pilot s (subjec t t o th e abov e Term s an d Conditions , includin g # 5 an d 6 tha t onl y Commercia l o rAT P pilot s holdin g a t leas t a curren t secon d clas s medica l b e utilized) . ITC' s mission , i n par t throug h it s medi a staff , i s t o preserv e th e spor t o f mushin g an d t o stag e th e world' s premie rsle d do g rac e alon g th e Histori c Iditaro d Trail , IT C accomplishe s muc h o f it s missio n throug h th e effort s o f it s medi a staff . ITC' s medi a staf f film s th e rac e an d provide s a we b based produc t fo rrac e fan s know n a s "Iditaro d Insider. " I t als o produce s a 90-minut e documentar yeac h year , th e proceed s o f whic h ar e use d t o hel p stag e th e race . Durin g las t year' s rac e th e ITC' s medi a cre w wa s comprise d o f eleve n people . O f thos e eleven , thre e fle w i n a helicopte roperate d unde rPar t 135 . Fou rmor e travele d b ysnowmachine . Th e remainin g four , a t on e tim e o ranother , travele d i n lA F planes . O f th e 1,48 6 tota l lA F flight s las t year , thes e fou rpeopl e fle w o n onl y3 9 lA F flights . S o a t issu e i s reall yjus t 2.6 % o f th e lAF' s 1,48 6 tota l flights . Al l o f thes e flight s wer e shor t (generall yunde ron e hour) . Lik e al l th e othe rIditaro d crews , thes e peopl e literall y "lived " th e race , slep t o n floor s wit h ou rothe rvolunteers , etc . Neithe rth e lA F no rth e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e sell s the m spac e o n an ylA F plane . No rwoul d a 13 5 operato r b e willin g t o sta ywit h thes e peopl e 2 4 hours/day , flyin g perhap s jus t on e o rtw o shor t flight s pe rday . Becaus e th e Iditaro d medi a crew' s jo b i s t o documen t th e race , flyin g i s jus t "incidenta l to " gettin g t o wher e thi s documentatio n wil l tak e place . Wit h footbal l an d man yothe rsports , th e athlete s ar e surrounde d b yfan s i n a 100-yar d stadium . Wit h th e Iditarod , th e "stadium " i s 104 9 mile s long . Th e onl ywa yt o kee p th e fan s involve d i s t o brin g the m th e rac e vi a th e "Inside rReport. " Withou t thi s involvemen t fro m th e fans , th e rac e woul d los e interes t or , wors e yet , no t gai n interes t wit h ne w fans . Thi s make s th e wor k o f th e IT C medi a staf f crucia l t o th e succes s o f th e race . Accordingly , t o eliminat e an yconfusio n th e lA F propose s th e followin g language ; "15 . lA F PILOT S HOLDIN G A T LEAS T A COMMERCIA L O R AT P LICENS E AN D A CURREN T SECON D CLAS S MEDICA L MA Y CARR Y NO T ONL Y INANIMAT E OBJECT S AN D ANIMALS , BU T ALS O VETERINARIANS , RAC E OFFICIALS , MUSHERS , VOLUNTEERS , IDITARO D INSIDE R CREW , AN D SIMILA R PEOPLE . NON-ESSENTIA L CRE W SUC H A S 'ORIGINA L PRODUCTIONS/DISCOVER Y CHANNEL ' AN D VERSUS ' SHAL L NO T B E CARRIE D PURSUAN T T O THI S EXEMPTION , ALTHOUG H SUC H NON-ESSENTIA L CRE W MA Y B E CARRIE D B Y lA F PILOT S WH O OTHERWIS E HOL D AN D OPERAT E SUC H FLIGHT(S ) {F:\9999W\9196\00031607.DOC } Exhlbi t 1 Pag e 5 o f 2 2BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RAI. O CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N Documen t Managemen t System,"DO T Novembe r6 . 200 8 Pag e 6 PURSUAN T T O A VALI D PAR T 13 5 CERTIFICATE . TH E lA F WIL L ALS O KEE P RECORD S O F IT S SOLICITATION S T O 13 5 OPERATOR S FO R SUC H NON ESSENTIA L FLIGHTS , AN D PRODUC E SUC H RECORD S UPO N REQUES T B Y TH E FAA. " Thir d an d finally , i t i s m y understandin g tha t th e FA A ha s discusse d th e possibilit yo f requirin g eac h plan e use d b y th e lA F t o underg o a 12 5 hou rinspection . Thi s present s tw o problems . First , som e o f th e pilot s fl y a t leas t thi s muc h durin g th e rac e itself , an d obviousl yi t i s no t feasibl e t o requir e th e aircraf t t o underg o a mid-rac e inspectio n (th e rac e last s onl ytw o weeks , plu s stagin g activitie s o n eithe rend , an d i s conducte d i n th e remotes t part s o f Alaska) . Second , a t leas t fo rthi s yea rman yo f th e pilot s hav e alread yundergon e a n annua l an d logge d hour s o n thei rplanes , an d requirin g thi s additiona l inspectio n mid-cycl e fo rthi s quickly-approachin g 200 9 rac e woul d impos e a larg e economi c burden , whil e no t advancin g safety . I t i s m y understandin g tha t ther e hav e bee n n o maintenance-relate d accident s o rincident s durin g th e thousand s an d thousand s o f hour s o f lA F flyin g ove rth e years , an d thu s imposin g a n additiona l 12 5 hou rinspectio n requiremen t woul d no t advanc e safety . Wit h thi s said , th e lA F woul d sugges t th e followin g tw o solutions , i n thi s order : (1 ) D o no t creat e a s a ne w conditio n o f th e exemptio n a requiremen t fo ran y inspection s beyon d th e requiremen t se t fort h i n Conditio n No . 2 , above , fo ra n annua l inspection ; o r (2 ) requir e a n inspectio n i n th e prio r20 0 fligh t hour s (no t 12 5 hours) . [ welcom e you rcaffs , a s wel l a s fro m anyon e els e a t th e FAA . Ver ytrul yyours , BIRCH , HORTON , ^TTNE R & CHERO T

GAM:sr m Enclosures : Exhibit s A- C

(F.\999999\9196\00031607.DOC } Exhlbl t 1 Pag e 6 o f 2 2

# Iditaro d Ai rForc e A Divisio n o f Iditaro d Trai l Committee , Inc .

P.O . Bo x87080 0 Wasllla , Alask a 9968 7 (907 ) 376-515 5 X 10 0 January 31,200 8 U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n Documen t

Managemen t

Syste m 40 0 7" ^ Street , S W Roo mPL 40 1 Washingto n D.C : 20591-00 1 VER Y URGENT , PLEAS E EXPIDIT E Dear Si r or Madam ; I n accordanc e wit

h Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulation s (CFR ) Part 11 , specificall y Federa

l Aviatio n Regulatio n (FAR ) 11.6 1 (b) . Th e Iditaro dCommitte e andth e Iditaro dAir Forc e hereb y petitio n th e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n seekin g exemptio n fro mcertai n requirement s reference dbelow , an dals o petitio n o n behal f o f th e pilot/owners , wh o are identifie db y name and pilo t certificate numbe r

a s liste di n Attachmen t

1 t o thi s petition . Al l petitioner s shal l simpl y be reference dhereafter

a s "petitioners " an dgive n th e broaddefinitio n o f "operator " se t

out i n FA A regulations , interpretation s an dassociate dcas e law , th e us e of "petitioners " mean s all see k th e sam e relief

, unles s specificall y identifie dherein . I n orde r t o provid e clarit

y an dcontex t

t o thi s petition , petitioner s shal l describ e herei n acurren t an dhistorica l perspectiv e o f th e flight operation s andth e event

thes e operation s support . Th e Iditaro dTrai l Committe e operate s an ddirect s th e annua l sle ddo g rac e commonl y refeiie dt o a s •th e Iditarod" . Th e Coirmiitte e i s a50 3 C No t fo r Profit Corporatio n base di n Wasilla , Alaska . A s i s wel l known , th e Committe e ha s historicall y depende don volunteer s i n many area s t o kee p th e rac e economicall y viable , an dt o secur e service s i n ai-ea s wit h very limite dcommercia l sources . One indispensabl e grou p o f volunteer s organize dandincorporate da s anon-profit , adoptin g th e nam e Iditaro dAi r Forc e (lAF) . Th e LA

Finclude s pilot s an daircraf t owner s who voluntee r themselve s an dthei r

aircraf t t o suppor t rac e functions . Neithe r

th e Committe e nor

th e lA Fhol dany for

mo f certificate issue db y th e FAA t o conduc t commercial transportatio n services . Th e pilot-owner s receiv e fuel , insurance , foodandlodgii ^ i n retur n for transportin g do g foo dandothe r

material s t o point s alon g th e route . The y als o transport veterinarians , tlier

e ow n medi apersonne l a s wel l asmal l numbe r of medi aHcensee andothe r

peopl e t o variou s points , agai n receivin g th e describe dcompensatio n fo r thes e operations . Th e Committe e als o charge s rac e participant s a n entranc e fe

e tha t i s use di n par

t t o cove r th e cos t o f flying dogs , foods , an dequipmen t alon g th e rac e route . Th e entrant fe e i s no t adirec t charg e for aviatio n service s bu t

cover s awide-rang e o f

race-relate dcosts .

Pag e ] o f 5 Exhibi t 1 Pag e Pag e 7 o f 2 2Th e rout e stretche s ove r a1049 miles , varyin g slighti y accordin g t o trai l condition s an d alternativ e startin g points , but generall y run s th e historical rout e fromnort

h o f Anchorag e i

n sout h central Alask at o Nom e locate do n th e Berin g Se ai n th e nortliwes t come r o f thi s vas t state . I t approximate s th e histori c rout e travele db y do g team s when th e entire communit y o f Nome relie do n musher s t o delive r seru mdurin g an epidemi c affecting an dendangerin g a n entire town . I t i s th e pre-imminen t

athletic/sportin g even t

i n Alaska , andi s followe db y million s acros s th e Eart h a s real-tim e new s coverag e i s literall y carrie dacros s the globe . I n astat e ofte

n characterize db y cultural split s betwee n urba n an drural areas , it ha s adramati c unifyin g effect fo r th e peopl e o f

th e state , wher e urba n town-dweller s andsmall villager s o f divers e etJmi c an

d economi c background s unit e unde r asingl e banne r

andpuipose . Thi s rac e literall y represent s th e entir e cultur e o f

astate . I n astate characterize db y aslowdow n mtouris mindustr y durin g th e winter , it give s aneede dan dimportaii t infiisio n o f

economi c booster s whe n mos t smal l businesse s findthemselve s a t aslo w an ddifficult

time . Thi s rac e doe s no t

simpl y reflec t

afor m o f unusua l entertainment ; rathe r i t i s o f hug e publi c interes t

maver y vas t

anduniqu e state . Th e Iditaro di s literall y th e mos t visibl e symbo l o f

afrontier tha t ha s vanishe dfromth e res t o f th e nation . Fo r almos t tw o decade s th e Committe e ha s relie do n th e aviatio n volunteer s an drelate dfe e structur e t o operat e th e rac e successfully . Th e Committe e viewe dit s syste ma s merel y amelioratin g th e substantial cost s shouldere db y thes e aviatio n volunteers . Nevertheless , th e Conmiitte e ha s bee n advise dtha t thes e matter s an dmethod s ar e subjec t t o th e more rigorous standard s o f

Part 11 9 an d13 5 o f

th e Federal Aviatio n Regulations , an dothe r regulatory requirement s i n Part s 6 1 and6 7 directe dt o individual pilots , The FA A ha s identifie d interpretation s it

believe s requir e thes e more stringen t standards , thos e interpretation s settin g out th e agency' 5 positio n an dpolic y regardin g thes e matters . Tw o of thes e i n particula

r are identifie d a s FA A Interpretatio n 1993- 4 an d1997-23 , issue di n accordanc e wit h statutory authority by th e general coujiseT s organizatio n of th e FAA . Petitioner s conced e tha t th e position s se t

ou t i n thos e interpretation s conflic t

with th e syste mpreviousl y i n us e b y th e Committee/Ai r

Force , withou t admittin g any violatio n o f regulations . Immediat e impositio n o f thos e requirement s woul d literall y maK

e suppor t o f th e rac e impossible , an dcoul dpermanentl y en dthi s historical event . I t i s o f critical publi c interest , particularl y t o th e cultural andeconomi c interest s o f an entire state , tha t th e Conmiittee/Ai r

Forc e b e allowe dt o operat e under current conditions , subjec t

t o specifi c restriction s pu t

i n plac e t o assure th e highes t leve l o f safet y fo r huma n participants , observers , employee s andnon-aviatio n volunteers . A s wil l b e indicate dbelow , w e believ e wit h th e additional safeguai-d s i

n place , our

proposa l wil l enhanc e safet y more tha

n simpl y requirin g servic e b y small , seasonal , certificate doperators . Petitioner s see k

exemptio n fi:omFA R119.21(a ) fo r th e Committee/Air

Forc e an dpilot s t o allo w the mt o accep t

monetary an dnon-rnonetai y compensatio n i n retur n fo r transportatio n o r

peopl e or property , ^ dth e us e o f

fuel , foo dan dequipmen t eithe r purchase dby th e Committee/Ai r Forc e or otherwis e mad e availabl e b y privat e donations . The compensatio n considere dherei n include s any mone y or

donation s mad e t o or

charge dby th e Committee/Ai r Forc e t o transpor

t peopl e o r property associate dwit

h th e operatio n o f

th e Iditaro dRace , an

dany fijel , insurance , housing , foot

i o r othe r suppor t cost s pai dt

o individual pilot-aircraf

t owners . Additionall y an

y an dal l privat e pilot s identifie di n Attachmen t

1 petitio n fo

r exemptio n fro

mFAR61.11 3 (a) bu

t only t o th e exten t

person s are no t

carrie daboardthei r

aircraft , only inanimate property and / o r 

# A P^gc2of 5 gxhibr t . ' Exhibi t 1 ^^ ® Pag e 8 o f 2 2dogs . Commercial pilo t certificat e holder s andAirlin e Transpor t Pilo t certificate holder s who d

o no t posses s vali d2n dor

1s t clas s medical certificate s an dwh o are include di

n Attachment

I hereb y petitio n fo

r rehe f fi-omFA R61.3(c ) andFAR61,23(a) , fo r operation s involvin g compensatio n that

includ e carriag e o f

inanimate propert

y and/o r dog s an donl y t o th e exten t person s ar e no t

carrie daboar dsuc h aircraft . Al l petitioner s agre e an drepresen t tha t severa l universa l condition s shal l appl y t

o operation s conducte dpursuan t

t o an y exemptio n tha

t may be grante dby tiic FA A an dpursuan t t o th e instant petition : 1 . Onl y U.S . registere daircraf t may b e use di n thes e fligh t operations . 2 . Th e Committee , Ai r

Forc e an deac h aircraf

t owne r an doperato r

wil l assum e regulator

y responsibility ensurin g tha t eac h aircraf

t operate dpursuant

t o thi s requeste dexemptio n wil l hav e acurren t

annua l inspectio n a s require dby FAR91.409(a ) a t th e time o f

an y operation . 3 . Onl y U.S . certificate dairme n ma y act a s require dcrewmember s i n aircraf t operate d unde r any exemption . 4 . Al l operation s wil l b e conducte dunder Da y Visua l Flight Rule s (VFR) . N o nighttime o r Instrumen t

Fligh t Rule s (IFR ) operation s wil l be conducte di n an y operatio n affectedby or subjec t t o th e requeste dexemption , 5 . Al l passenger-carryin g operation s conducte dunde r th e requeste dexemptio n shal l b e conducte di n accordanc e wit h Par t 13 5 weathe r

minimum s foundi n 135.205(a) . 6 . All passenger-carryin g opertition s conducte dunder th e requeste dexemptio n shal l b e conducte di

n fiil l complianc e wit

h altitud e restriction s containe di n 135.20 3 (a)(1) . 7 . Al l personne l affecte dby , relyin g on , o r otherwis e include di n Attachmen t 1 o f thi s petitio n fo

r exemptio n shal l b e provide dawritte n cop y of an y exemptio n granted , includin g any limitation s determine dnecessar y th e FAA , an di n addition , th e Committee/Ai r

Forc e wil l conduc t

aone-time briefin g o n th e condition s of th e exemptio n for al l person s describe dabov e befor e an y perso n commence s o f any flight

operation s conducte dpursuan t

t o an y suc h exemption . 8 . Th e exemption , i f

granted , shal l expir

e Apri l 30 , 2008 . Th e petitione r

believe s thi s reques t

i s i n th e publi c interes t

becaus e many , i f

no t mos t of th e curren t part 13 5 operator s i n Alask aare seasonal andar e no t incline dno r

equippe dfo

r winte r operation s alon g remot e routes . Ver y fe w hav e th e logistica

l wherewithal t o ensure fuel , maintenanc e andcre w quarter s alon g th e rac e route . Man y o f th e pilots-unlik e long-ten n volunteer s operatin g unde r a n establishe droute structure hav e little , i f any , familiarit

y wit h particularl y lakes , trail s an dvillages . Return t o andfromestablishe dbase s or operation s i n mor

e urba n are aeve n afte

r afe w day s woul dprov e impractical , or worse , pus h operator s t o trave l lon g route s throug h demandin g mountainou s terrai n a s compare dt o th e volunteer s who ar e equippe d t o sta y alon g th e trai l rout e fo r extende dperiod s an dwh o almos t al l hav e extensiv e experienc e with th e loca

l conditions , alternativ e landin g site s an dothe r idiosyncrasie s gaine dfi-om experience , suc h a s knowledg e o f localize dweather

patterns . Finally , th e Air

Forc e ha s considerabl e experienc e coordinatin g an dsupervisin g thes e fligh t operations . Meaningful operationa l contro l by acertificate doperator/carrier , withou t month s of

plannin g an

d coordinatio n betwee n numerou s operators , even fo r such simpl e thing s a s commo n radi o Pag e 3 o f 5 Exhibi t 1 Pag e 9 o f 2 2 Exhibit . P«g e 

# h 3 di ^frequencie s i n agive n area , coul db e jeopardized , an dth e potential fo

r dangerou s confijsion i s significant . Notwithstandin g th e aforementione ddiscussion , di e petitione r recognize s tha

t thi s exemptio n shal l no t

b e renewe di n subsequen t Iditaro devent s an dhereb y acknowledge s tha t al l future Iditaro devent s shal l utiliz e certificate d1 4 CF RPar t 13 5 ai r cartier s whe n transportin g person s or

carg o t o support thi s event . I n conclusion , apetitio n for exemptio n fi-omth e identifie dregulations , subjec t t o th e identifie d conditions , wil l protec t

th e substantia l publi c interest s attache dt o thi s race , protec t

th e FAA' s interes t i n prope r an dlegal complianc e wit h it s regulator

y stmcture , an dprovid e th e highes t level o f safet y reasonabl y achievabl e unde r th e circumstances . sctfuU v submitted . )h n R . Norri s Chie f Pilot , Iditaro dAir

Forc e

Pag e 4 of 5 Exhibi t 1 Pafl e Pag e 1 0 o f 2 2Attachmen t 1

Wi}} b e upgrade d t o highe rclas s medica l b yFebruary19 , 200 8

Pag e 5 o f 5 Exhibi t 1 Pag e 1 1 o f 2 2Exemptio n No . 961 9 UNITE D STATE S O FAMERIC A DEPARTMEN T O FTRANSPORTATIO N FEDERA L A VI A nO N ADME^STR A nO N WASHINGTON , D C 2059 1

I n th e matte r

o f th e petitio n o f IDITARO D AI RFORC E Regulator y Docke t No . FAA-2008-014 6 fo r a n exemptio n fit)m§ § 61.3(c) , 61.23(a) , 61.113(a) , an d119.21(a)(1 ) ofTitleH , Codeo f Federa l Regulation s

PARTIA L GRAN T O FEXEMPTIO N B y lette r date dFebruar y 1,2008 , Mr . Joh n R . Nonis , Chie f Pilot , Iditaro dAi r

Forc e (lAF) , P.O . Bo x 870800 , Wasilla , Alask a99687 , petitione dth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behalfoflA P fo r a n exemptio n from§ § 61.3(c) , 61.23(a) , 61.113(a) , an d 119.21(a)(1 ) o f

Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulation s (1 4 CFR) , Th e propose dexemption , i f granted , woul dallo w lA P t o accep t monetar y an dnon-monetar y compensatio n i n retur n for transportatio n o f

peopl e o r

propert y an dth e us e o f

fuel , food , an dequipmen t eithe r purchase d b y th e Iditaro dTrai l Committe e (Comniittee)/IA Fo r otherwis e mad e b y privat e donations . Th e compensatio n considere dniclude s an y mone y o r donation s mad e t o o r

charge db y th e Committee/IA Ft o transpor t peopl e o r

propert y associate dwit h th e operatio n o f th e Iditaro d Rac e an dan y fuel , insurance , housing , food , o r othe r suppor t cost s pai dt o individua l pilot

aircraf t owners . Th e petitione r

request s relie f

fromth e followin g regulations : Sectio n 61.3 ( c ) prescribes , i n pertinen t part , tha t aperso n ma y no t

ac t a s pilo t i n comman d(PIC ) o r

i n an y othe r

capacit y a s arequire dflight crewmembe r

o f an aircraft , unde r

acertificat e issue dt o tha t perso n unde r

thi s part , unles s that

perso n ha s acurren t an dappropriat e medica l certificat e tha t ha s bee n issue dunde r

par t 6 7 o f thi s chapter , o r

othe r documentatio n acceptabl e t o th e Administrator , whic h i s i n tiiat person' s physica l possessio n o r readil y accessibl e i n th e aircraft . AFS-08-198- E Exhibi t 1 Pag e 1 2 o f 2 2 • I I ITh e petitioner state s th e route stretche s ove r 1,04 9 miles , varyin g shghtl y according to trai l condition s andaftemafiv e startin g point s but

generall y run s the historica

l rout e fromnort h o f Anchorag e i

n sout h centra l Alaskato Nom

e locate do

n the Berin g Seai

n th e northwes t

comer o f th e State . I

t approximate s the histori c route travele db y do g team s whe n th e entire communit y of Nome relie do n mushers to delive r serumduring a n epidemi c affecting an

dendangering a

n entire town . I

t i s the preimminent athletic/sportin g even

t i n Alaskaan

di s followe db y million s acros s th e Eart h a s real

time new s coverag e i s carrie dacros s th e globe . I n aStat e ofte n characterize db y cultural split s between urba n an drura l areas , i t ha s adramatic unifying effec t fo r the peopl e o f th e State , wher

e urba n towndweller s an

dsmall villager s o f

divers e ethni c an deconomi c backgroimd s unit e unde r asingl e banneran dpurpose . Th e petitioner state s tha t thi s rac e represent s the entir e culture o f

astate . I n astate characterize db

y a slowdow n i n touris mindustr y during th e winter , businesse s findthemselve s a t aslo w an ddifficult time . Thi s rac e doe s no

t simpl y reflec t

afor mo f unusua l entertainment ; rather i t i s o f hug e publi c interes t

i n avas t an duniqu e state . Literally , the mos t visibl e symbo l o f afrontier tha t ha s vanishedfromth e res t of the Nation , For almos t tw o decade s the Committee ha s relie do n the aviatio n volunteer s an d relate dfee structure t

o operat e the rac e successfully . Th

e Cotxunitte

e viewedit s syste

m a s merel y amelioratin g the substantia l cost s shouldere db y thes e aviatio n volunteers . Nevertheless , th e Connraittee ha s bee n advise dtha

t thes e matter s an

dmethod s ar

e subjec t to th e mor e rigorous standard s o f part s 11 9 an

d13 5 andother

regulator y requirement s i

n part s 6 1 an

d67 directe dto individua

l pilots . The petitioner

state s tha t th e FA A ha s identifie dinterpretation s i t believe s requir

e mor e stringent standards . Tw o o f thes e i n particula

r are identifieda s FAA Interpretation s 1993- 4 and1997-23 , issue di n accordanc e wit

h statutor y authorit y b y th e FAA' s Office o f

Chief Counsel . The petitioner

concede s th e position s set out i n thos e interpretation s conflict wit h the systempreviousl y i n us e b y th e Committee/IAF , without admittin g an

y violatio n of regulations . Immediate impositio n of thos e requirement s wouldmak e suppor t of the rac e impossibl e an

dcouldpermanently en

dthi s historica

l event . The petitioner

state s tha t thi s event i s o f critica l publi c interest , particularl y to the cultura l an deconomi c interest s o f

a n entire State , tha

t the CommitteellAFb e allowedto operat e under current conditions , subject

to specific restriction s pu

t i n plac e to ensur

e th e highes t level o f safet y fo r huma n participants , observers , employees , an dnonaviatio n volunteers . A s furthe

r indicate dbelow , th e petitioner beheve s wit

h the additiona

l safeguard s i n place , it s proposa l will enhanc e safet

y mor e tha n simply requirin g servic e b y small , seasonal , certifiedoperators . The petitioner

seek s a n exemption from § 11 9 ;2 1 (a ) fo r the Committee/IAFan

d pilot s to allo w themto accept monetar y an dnon-monetar

y compensatio n i n retur

n fo r transportatio n of

peopl e or propert y an dth e us e of

fuel , food, an

dequipmen

t eithe r purchase db y th e Committee/IA For otherwis e mad

e availabl e b y private donations . Th e compensatio n consideredherein include s an y money or

donation s made t o or charge db y the Committee/IA Fto transpor

t peopl e or propert y , .. . i . Exhibi t 1 *'=^^*^'* - Pag e 1 4 o f 2 2 Pageassociate dwit h th e operatio n o f th e Iditaro dRac e an dan y fuel , insurance , housing , food , o r

othe r suppor t cost s pai dt o individua l pilot-aircraf t owners . Additionally , an y an dal l privat e pilot s identifie di n Attachmen t 1 petitio n for exemptio n from§61.113(a ) bu t onl y t o th e exten t

person s ar e no t

carrie daboar d hi s o r he r aircraft , onl y inanimat e propert y and/o r dogs . Commercia l pilo t certificat e holder s an dairlin e transpor t pilo t certificat e holder s wh o d o no t posses s vali dsecon do r

first clas s medica l certificate s an dwh o are include di n Attachmen t 1 hereb y petitio n fo r

relie f from§ § 61.3(c ) an d61.23(a ) fo r operation s involvin g compensatio n tha t

includ e carriag e o f

inanimat e propert y and/o r dog s an donl y t o th e exten t

person s ar e no t

carrie daboar dsuc h aircraft . Th e petitione r

believe s thi s reques t

i s i n th e pubh c interes t

becaus e many , i f

no t most , o f th e cmren t

par t 13 5 operator s i n Alask aar e seasona l an dar e no t incline d no r equippe dfo r

winte r operation s alon g remot e routes . Th e petitione r state s tha t ver y fe w operator s hav e th e logica l wherewitha l t o ensur e fuel , maintenance , an d cre w quarter s alon g th e rac e route . Man y o f th e pilot s unlik e long-ter mvolunteer s operatin g unde r

estabhshe drout e structure , hav e little , i f any , famiUarity wit h particula r lakes , trails , an dvillages . Th e petitione r state s that

th e retur n t o an dfrom establishe dbase s o r

operation s i n mor e urba n area s eve n afte r afew day s woul d prov e impractical , o r

worse , pus h operator s t o trave l lon g route s throug h demandin g mountainou s terrai n a s compare dt o th e volunteer s wh o ar e equippe dt o sta y alon g th e trai l rout e fo r extende dperiod s an dwh o ahnos t al l hav e extensiv e experienc e wit h th e loca l conditions , alternativ e landin g sites , an dothe r idiosyncrasie s gaine dfromexperience , suc h a s knowledg e o f localize dweathe r patterns . Finally , th e lA Fha s considerabl e experienc e coordinatin g an dsupervisin g thes e flight

operations . Th e petitione r state s tha t

operationa l contro l b y a certificate doperator/carrier , withou t month s o f

plannin g an dcoordinatio n betwee n numerou s operators , coul db e th e potentia l fo r dangerou s confusion . A summar y o f

th e petitio n wa s publishe di n th e Federa l Registe r o n Februar y 6,200 8 (7 3 F R7028) . N o comment s wer e received . Th e FAA' s analysi s i s a s follows : Th e FA A ha s considere dfull y th e petitioner' s supportiv e information . Th e FA A find s tha t th e propose dexemptio n i s i n th e publi c interes t andprovide s an equivalen t leve l o f safety . I n evaluatin g th e petition , th e FA A ha s considere dtha t withou t th e ai r transportatio n suppor t o f th e LA P th e Iditaro drac e coul dno t b e safel y o r

efficientl y conducted . Th e FA A understand s tha t

thi s i s largel y becaus e many , i f no t most , o f th e curren t

par t 13 5 operator s i n Alask aar e seasona l an dar e no t capabl e o f

effectivel y an dsafel y supportin g thi s year' s rac e wit h th e short preparatio n tim e available . Th e FA A als o understand s tha t

canceUn g thi s year' s rac e woul dcreat e a n economi c hardshii ) frg:. 

## Exhibi t 1 pL'JlZI^f^X . Pag e 1 5 of

2 2 ^^^— ^ ^ ^ ^man y communitie s i n Alask aand , i n fact , fo r th e entir e State , Th e FAA , therefore , finds th e publi c interes t

i s serve db y allowin g th e safe-conduc t o f thi s year' s Iditaro d race . Further , th e FA A finds tha t th e lA Fha s man y year s o f experienc e i n safel y coordinatin g an dsupervisin g thes e flight operations . Th e FA A als o understand s tha t operationa l contro l b y certificate doperators/carriers , withou t time for prope r plannin g an dcoordination , woul dcreat e considerabl e adde drisk. Th e FA A beheve s that operation s unde r

th e condition s an dlimitation s stipulate di n thi s exemptio n wil l preserv e a n equivalen t

leve l o f safety . Therefore , th e FA A find s tha t apartia l gran t

o f exemptio n fo r

th e Committee /

lA Fan dpilot s allowin g the mt o accep t monetar y an d non-monetar y compensatio n i n retur n fo r transportatio n o f

peopl e o r

propert y i s i n th e publi c interest . Considerin g th e rational e fo r th e partia l gran t

o f exemptio n i n th e discussio n above , thi s exemptio n wi

U b e limite dt o th e duratio n o f th e 200 8 Iditaro drac e an dshal l no t b e renewe dfo r

subsequen t

Iditaro devents . Al l fatui e Iditaro devent s wil l hav e th e lea d time necessar y t o pla n for appropriat e ai r

transportatio n t o suppor t fijture events . Thereques t

fo r exemptio n fromth e requirement s o f § § 61.3(c ) an d61.23(a ) i s denied . Al l pilot s participatin g unde r thi s exemptio n mus t

posses s a t leas t acurren t thirdclas s airma n medica l certificate . Th e FAA' s Decisio n I n consideratio n o f

th e foregoing , 1 findtha t agran t o f exemptio n i s i n th e pubh c interest . Therefore , pursuan t

t o th e authorit y containe di n 4 9 U.S.C . § § 40113(f ) an d44701 , delegate d t o m e b y th e Administrator , Iditaro dAi r Forc e i s grante da

n exemptio n from1 4 CF R § § 61.113(a ) an d119.21(a)(1 ) t o th e exten t

necessar y t o allo w th e petitione r an dth e aircraf

t operator s identifie di n Attachmen t 1 t o accep t

monetar y an dnon-monetar y compensatio n i n retur n fo r transportatio n o f

peopl e o r

propert y an dth e us e o f

fuel , food , an dequipmen t eithe r purchase db y th e Committee/IA Fo r otherwis e mad e b y privat e donations , subjec t t o th e condition s an dlimitation s liste dbelow . Condition s an dLimitation s 1 . Onl y U.S,-registere daircraf t ma y b e use di n thes e flight operations . 2 . Th e Committee/IA Fan deac h aircraf t owne r an doperato r

wil l assum e regulator y responsibilit y ensurin g that eac h aircraf

t operate dunde r

thi s exemptio n wil l hav e a curren t annua l inspectio n a s require db y § 91.409(a ) a t th e tim e o f

an y operation . 3 . Onl y thos e pilot s identifie di n Attachmen t 1 ma y operat e unde r

thi s exemption . 4 . Privat e pilo t

certificat e holder s identifie di n Attachmen t 1 ma y onl y carr y inanimat e propert y and/o r

dogs . Ex^ab^l

Exhibi t 1 Pag e ^ o f 7 ^ Pag e 1 6 o f 2 2 ^5 . Commercia l pilo t certificat e holder s an dairlin e transpor t pilo t certificat e holder s identifie di n Attachmen t 1 wh o d o no t

posses s vaH dsecon do r first clas s medica l certificate s ma y conduc t operation s tha t

includ e carriag e o f

inanimat e propert y and/o r dogs . N o person s ma y b e carried . 6 . O n flights i n whic h passenger s ar e carrie d(e.g. , veterinarian s o r physicians) , th e pilot s mus t hol da t leas t commercia l pilo t

certificate s an da

t leas t secon dclas s airma n medica l certificates . 7 . Onl y U.S,-certificate dairme n ma y ac t a s require dcrewmember s i n aircraf t operate d unde r thi s exemption . 8 . Al l operation s wil l b e conducte dunde r da y visua l fUgh

t rule s (VFR) . N o nighttim e or instrumen t

flight rule s (IFR ) operation s wil l b e conducte di n an y operatio n affecte db y o r subjec t t o thi s exemption . 9 . Al l passenger-carrjqn g operation s conducte dunde r thi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n accordanc e wit h par t

13 5 weathe r

minimum s foun di n § 135.205(a) . 10 . Al l passenger-carryin g operation s conducte dunde r thi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n ful l complianc e wit h altitud e restriction s containe di n § 135i203(a)(I) . 11 . Al l personne l affecte dby , relyin g on , o r otherwis e include di n Attachmen t 1 o f thi s exemptio n shal l b e provide dawritte n cop y o f th e exemption . 12 . A cop y o f

thi s exemptio n shal l b e carrie daboardeac h aircraf t operate dunde r

th e exemption . 13 . Th e CommitteellA Fwil l conduc t aone-tim e briefin g o n th e condition s o f th e exemptio n fo r

al l person s describe dabov e before an y perso n commence s an y fiight operation s conducte dunde r an y suc h exemption . Thi s exemptio n terminate s o n Apri l 30 , 2008 , unles s soone r supersede do r

rescinded . Issue di n Washington , DC , o n FE B It15 \2 D 

# M-e n al L Actin g Director , Pligh t Standard s Servic e Enclosur e

iXx'^^^U ^ ^ Exhibi t 1 Pafle—_/i_of_ X Pag e 1 7 o f 2 2Attachmen t 1

** * Wil l b e upgrade d t o highe rclas s medica l b yFebruar y19 , 200 8 Exhibi t 1 Pag e 1 8 o f 2 2 

### Pag e ^^^ 7n llOT H CONGRES S 2 D SESSIO N 

# S . 355 3

To exemp t

certai n charitabl e flights fromcertai n reg:iilation s applicabl e t o

commereia ! flights .

I N TH E SENAT E O P TH E UNITE D STATE S SEPTEMBE R2 4 (legislativ e day , SEPTEMBE R17) , 200 8 Ms . MURKOWSK I (fo r

hersel f an dMr . S'ravENS ) introduce dth e following

- bill ; whic h wa s rea dtwic e an dreferre dt o th e Committe e o n Commerce , Science , an dTransportatio n



# A BIL L T o exemp t

certai n charitabl e flights fro mcertai n regulation s applicabl e t o commercia l flights . 1 B e i t

enacte db y th e Senat e an dHous e o f Representa

2 five s o f

th e Unite dState s o f

Americ ai n Congres s assembled , 3 SECTIO N 1 . SHOR T TITLE . 4 Thi s Ac t

ma y b e cite da s th e "Voluntee r Pilo t Act" . 5 SEC . 2 . EXEMPTION S FO RCERTAI N CHARITABL E FLIGHTS . 6 (a ) I N GENERAL.—Sectio n 44701(f ) o f titl e 49 , 7 Unite dState s Code , i s amended — 8 (1 ) b y strikin g "Th e Administrator " an dinsert

9 in g th e following ; 1 0 "(1 ) I N GENERAL.—Th e Administrator" ; an d Pag e Exhibi t 1 Pag e 1 9 o f 2 2 

## loT ^2 1 (2 ) b y addin g a t th e en dth e following : 2 "(2 ) CHARITABL E FLIGHTS.—Notwithstandin g 3 an y othe r

provisio n o f

law , apassenge r

o r carg o car 4 lyin g flight

fo r th e benefi t

of anonprofi t

organiza

5 tio n recognize dunde r Federa l o r

Stat e law tha t

doe s 6 no t

involv e an y paymen t fro mth e benefLciar

y of 7 suc h fligh t

shal l no t

b e require dt o obtai n a n ai r car 8 rie r

o r commercia l operato r

certificat e unde r

sectio n 9 44705 , shal l no t b e recfuire dt o obtai n a n ai r carrie r 1 0 an dcommercia l operato r certificat e unde r

par t 11 9 1 1 o f

titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulations , an dshal l 1 2 no t

b e subjec t

t o dru g an dalcoho l testin g unde r sec 1 3 tion s 121.45 7 an d121.45 9 of suc h titl e 14 , if

— 1 4 "(A ) th e flight i s conducte dfro ma n air

1 5 por t

tha t i s adequat e fo r

th e airplan e o r

heli

1 6 copte r

used ; 1 7 "(B ) th e airplan e o r heUcopter

ha s amax 1 8 imu mo f

9 seats , excludin g eac h cre w membe r 1 9 seat , an damaximu mpayloa dcapacit y o f 7,50 0 2 0 pounds ; 2 1 _"(C ) th e flight i s no t a n acrobati c o r

afor

2 2 matio n flight; 2 3 "(D ) th e airplan e o r heheopte r

use dfo r 2 4 th e flight

hold s astandar dairworthines s certifi

2 5 cate , i s airworthy , an di s operate di n compli



# a . • S 365 3 I S 2:-Mi3li Exhibi t 1 P^^—f^o?Ji _ Pag e 2 0 of 2 2

### 3 1 anc e wit h al l applicabl e Federa l Aviatio n Ad

2 ministratio n airworthines s standards ; 3 "(E ) reimbursemen t of , o r donation s to , 4 th e pilo t

i n comman dof

th e airplan e o r

heh

5 copte r

doe s no t

excee dth e tota l cos t

of owning , 6 operating , an dmaintainin g th e aircraf t fo r tha t 7 flight, whic h ma y includ e fuel , oil , airpor t ex 8 penditures , renta l fees , insurance , an dmainte

9 nance ; 1 0 "(F ) aprivat e pilo t actin g a s pilo t

i n com 1 1 man dha s a t leas t 50 0 hour s o

f flight time; 1 2 "(G ) th e flight i s conducte di n accordanc e 1 3 wit h apphcabl e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n 1 4 safet y regulations ; an d 1 5 ^'(H ) th e pilo t i n comman dmaintain s a 1 6 recor dwit h th e Federa l Aviatio n Admioistra

1 7 tion tha t

show s tha t

th e pilo t

i s i n complianc e 1 8 wit h aJ l apphcabl e Federa l Aviatio n Administra

1 9 tio n regulations . 2 0 " (3 ) CLASSIFICATIO N O FCHARITABL E 2 1 PLIGHTS.—^An y flight meetin g th e requirements . 2 2 unde r

paragrap h (2 ) shal l no t b e considere dt o b e a 2 3 flight

fo r compensatio n o r

hir e fo r purpose s o

f th e 2 4 Federa l Aviatio n Administration." .

< s 355 3 I S i";:;;bt t V

- Exhibi t 1 J^ags-^ f • ^'-^^L - Pag e 2 1 o f 2 21 (b ) RULEMAKING.—Th e Administrato r of th e Fed

2 era l Aviatio n Administratio n shal l promulgat e regulation s 3 t o carr y ou t

th e amendmen t

mad e b y subsectio n (a) . O

• S 355 3 I S Exhibi t 1

Pag e 2 2 o f 2 2 

### ^age_J7^'^-- ^) )

LA W OFFICE S BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE R AN D CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO

N 112 7 WES T SEV^rfT M AVENU E • ANCHORAGE , ALASK A BBS01-$30 1 • TELEPHON E (007 ) 276-155 0 • (600 ) 47S-155 0 • FACSIMIL E (907)278-368 0 lU L R . HOniD N (tM 4 - < Ml ) ROMtLDO . MKH " VVUMKH . 117110 1 SUZANN E OCKT r MMUW.COO K JOHM.DGVOftE owRLE * R . taeu r cRSGomra.piMC H JOSEPH S HAC K DOUGU«S.FUU£R ' WWD.aMNEf t TPHMOROVE R VWJJM I P . HGHN * STtPtCN R HUFCHIM3 S CMNCLC.IUr T THCHUriaiMOE R CMMOCLMIPP V STANLE Y T.ICWI * JWG B KLVIErrt t amaairrKmjja i MOWS . J . nuus E TUOTH T J . PETUtCNO e ClMMBET H KROU " HDU. V C . aUQZZ O OFCOJNBEl : JEMfFB R a ALEWNDE R KEMETHE.VAS5iU t 113 5 CCNtCCnCU T AW. . NW . MJTEIB W WMII—fTOHPL C WK * OBONHn o FACaUB f {• « Sas-103 7

- D.C.IA R

- 0£.AM>AUaCAH R t HUtVLAtBK M « MRaiNHBM t A U OTMB W MASK A BA R WRITER' S DIREC T DIA L (907 ) 2S3-728 6 • WRFTtR' S DIREC T FA X (907 ) 276-368 0 • afnmerftbhbcw n Marc h 20 . 200 9 U.S , Departmen t o f Transportatio n CERTIFIE D MAI L Docke t Operations . M-3 0 RETUR N RECEIP T REQUESTE D Wes t Buildin g groun d floor , RoomW12-14 0 120 0 Ne w Jerse yAvenue , S.E . Washington , D.C . 2059 0 Re : Iditaro d Ai rForc e - Reques t fo rExtensio n o f Exemptio n No . 901 0 BHB C Fil e No . 999.999.919 6 Dea rSi ro rMadam : Thi s respond s t o th e FAA' s Februar y23 , 200 8 postcar d notificatio n an d reques t tha t I le t yo u kno w b yMarc h 2 5 i f m yclient , th e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e an d th e "Iditaro d Ai rForce " ("lAF") , i s seekin g t o exten d Exemptio n No . 981 0 (Regulator y Docke t No , FAA-2008-1246) . Pleas e kno w tha t th e answe ri s "yes, " m yclien t doe s hereb yappl yt o exten d th e exemption , preferabl yfo rfiv e years . Pursuan t t o 1 4 CF R Part 11 , an d i n particula r1 4 CF R 11.81 , I a m providin g th e FA A wit h th e followin g information . I a m als o providin g a complet e cop yo f ou r Novembe r6 , 200 8 petitio n (includin g attachn^ent s an d ou rJanuary7 , 200 9 supplementa l information) , an d th e FAA' s Exemptio n No . 981 0 (Exhibit s 1 , 2 an d 3) . (a ) You rnam e an d mailin g addres s and , i f vo u wish , othe rcontac t informatio n suc h a s a fa xnumber , telephon e number , o re-mai l address .

Gregor yA . Mille r Birch , Horton , Bittne r& Chero t 112 7 Wes t 7t h Avenu e Anchorage , Alask a 9950 1 (907)276-155 0 (907 ) 276-368 0 (facsimile ) gmilfer@bhb.co m

F:^99BB09\S1W\OOO4e424 DO C 

### Exhibi t 2 Pag e 1 of 4BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RAN D CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N U.S . Dept . o f Transportatio n Documen t Operations . M-3 0 Marc h 20 , 200 9 Pag e 2 (b ) Th e specifi c sectio n o rsection s o f 1 4 CF R fro m whic h vo u see k a n exemption . 1 4 CF R 61.113(a ) an d 1 4 CF R 119.21(a)(1) . (c ) Th e exten t o f relie f yo u seek , an d th e reaso n vo u see k th e relief . W e see k th e sam e term s an d condition s a s state d i n Exemptio n No . 9810 , exceptin g tha t w e reques t th e expiratio n dat e b e extende d t o Apri l 30 , 2014 . Th e reason s ar e als o th e sam e a s se t ou t i n ou rNovembe r6 , 200 8 an d Januar y7 , 200 9 petition , an d a t page s 1- 5 o f th e FAA' s Exemptio n No . 9810 . (d ) Th e reason s wh ygrantin g vou rreques t woul d b e i n th e publi c interest : tha t is , ho w i t wou M benefi t th e publi c a s a whole .

Th e reason s wh ygrantin g th e extensio n woul d b e i n th e public' s interes t ar e th e sam e a s state d b yth e FA A a t page s 4- 5 o f it s Exemptio n No . 9810 . W e agre e wit h th e FAA' s analysis , an d nothin g ha s change d factuall ytha t woul d i n tu m alte rtha t analysis . Rathe rtha n repea t tha t analysis , a cop yo f Exemptio n No . 981 0 i s attache d hereto . (e ) Th e reasons wh vgrantin g th e exemptio n woul d no t adversel yaffec t safety , o rho w th e exemptio n woul d provid e a leve l o f safet ya t leas t equa l t o tha t provide d b yth e rul e fro m whic h vo u see k th e exemption . Her e too , th e lA F continue s t o agre e wit h th e analysi s se t fort h b yth e FAA , a t page s 4- 5 o f Exemptio n No . 9810 , regardin g th e lAF' s operation s bein g a t leas t a s saf e (an d i n th e lAF' s mind , fa rsafer ) tha n operation s woul d b e withou t th e exemption . Nothin g ha s change d factuall yi n thi s respect , either , tha t woul d alte rtha t analysis . (f ) A summar yw e ca n publis h i n th e Federa l Register , stating : (1 ) Th e rul e fro m whic h yo u see k th e exemption : an d (2 ) A brie f descriptio n o f th e natur e o f th e exemptio n vo u seek .

" A fiv e yea rexemptio n i s sough t b yth e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e an d th e 'Iditaro d Ai rForce ' a s t o 1 4 CF R 61.113(a ) an d 1 4 CF R 119.21(a)(1) . fo rth e Iditaro d Ai r Forc e t o continu e flyin g suppor t unde r1 4 CF R Par t 9 1 fo rth e 1,10 0 mil e Iditaro d do g rac e i n Alaska . Exemption s hav e bee n grante d fo rth e 200 8 an d 200 9 races . Th e 

### Exhibi t 2 (F\999999\9196\00W9424.DOC } PSQ e 2 O f 4BIRCH . HORTON . BITTNE RAN D CHERO T A PROFESSIONA L CORPORATIO N U.S . Dept . o f Transportatio n Documen t Operations . M-3 0 Marc h 20 , 200 9 Pag e 3 exemptio n woul d pemni t th e voluntee rpilot s t o continu e acceptin g gas , oil , insurance , foo d an d minima l housin g durin g th e race , includin g th e pre - an d post-rac e stagin g efforts. " (g ) An yadditiona l information , vievy s o rargument s availabl e t o suppor t vou rreques t

Sinc e th e prio rpetitio n an d Exemptio n adequatel yse t fort h th e infomnatbn , view s an d arguments , nothin g furthe ri s believe d neede d a t thi s time . (h ) I f vo u wan t t o exercis e th e privilege s o f vou rexemptio n outsid e th e Unite d States , th e reaso n wh vvo u nee d t o d o so .

No , th e lA F does no t wis h t o exercis e th e privilege s o f th e exemptio n outsid e th e U.S . Than k you . I welcom e you rcalls , a s wel l a s thos e fro m anyon e els e a t th e FAA . Verytrul yyours , BIRCH , HORTON , BITT(NE R & CHERO T

GAMism i Enclosure s cc : Ms . Angel a Elge e (Anchorag e FSD O Divisio n Manager ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Hug h McLaughli n (Anchorag e FSD O Assistan t Divisio n Manager) (w/encl. ) Mr . Howar d Marti n (FA A Regiona l Counsel ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Sta n Hoole y(Executiv e Director , Iditaro d Trai l Committee ) (w/encl. ) Mr . Joh n Norri s (Chie f Pilot , Iditaro d Ai rForce ) (w/encl. )



### Exhibi t 2 iF:\999999\9]96\00M9424.DOC } naQ B O O l 4BIRCH , HORTON , BITTNE RAN D CHERO T A PROFE&SIOHA L CORPORATIO N U.S . Dept . o f Transportatio n Documen t Operations , M-3 0 Marc h 20 , 200 9 Pag e 4 bcc : Senato rLis a Murkowsk i (w/encl. ) Zac h Olso n (w/encl. )



### Exhibi t 2 (r\W9999W196\0004M24JX> C J PSg e 4 O f 4Exemptio n No . 981 0 

### "ECE/VE D UNITE D STATE S O FAMERIC A ^^ B - ^ pQn Q >ARTMEN

T O FTRANSPORTATIO N 5:- ^ iRA L AVIATIO N ADMINISTRATIO N Bittn^A^ ^ WASHINGTON , D C 2059 1 *'"*Chero f

I n th e matte r

o f th e petitio n o f IDITARO D AI RFORC E for a n exemptio n fro m§ § 61.113(a ) an d119.21(a)(1 ) ofTitIel4,Codeo f Federal Regulation s Regulator y Docke t No . FAA-2008-124 6

GRAN T O FEXEMPTIO N B y lette r date dNovembe r

6,2008 , an dsupplementa l infonnatio n date dJanuar y 7 , 2009 , Gregor y A . Miller , Esq. , Birch , Horton , Bittner , an dCherot , Counse l fo r Iditaro dAi r

Forc e (lAF) , 1127 Wes t

Sevent h Avenue , Anchorage , Alask a99501 , petitione dth e Federal Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behal f o f lA Ffor a n exemptio n from§ § 61.113(a ) and 119.21(a)(1 ) o f

Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federal Regulation s (1 4 CFR) . Th e propose dexemption , if granted , woul dallo w th e petitione r an dth e aircraf

t operator s t o accep t

monetar y an dnon monetar y compensatio n i n return for transportatio n o f

peopl e o r propert y an dth e us e o f

fuel , food , an dequipmen t

eithe r purchase db

y th e Iditaro dTrai l Committe e (Committee)/IA Fo r otlttrwis e mad e b

y privat e donations . Th e petitione r

request s relie f

fro mth e followiii g regulations : Sectio n 61.113(a ) prescribes , i n pertinen t

part , that D O perso n ^^ o hold s aprivat e pilo t certiflcat e ma

y ac t a s pilo t i n comman do f

a n aircraf t that i s carryin g passenger s or property for

compensatio n o r

hire ; no r may tha t person , for

compensatio n o r

hire , ac t a s pilo t i n comman do f

a n aircraft . Sectio n 119.21(a)(1 ) prescribes , i n pertinen t part , tha t eac h perso n wh o conduct s airplan e operation s a s acommercia l operato r engage di n intrastat e commo n carriag e o f person s o r

property for

compensatio n o r

hir e i n air commerce , o r

a s adirec t

ai r carrier , shal l compl y wit

h th e certificatio n an doperation s specification s requirement s i n AFS-09-062- E 

### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 1 of 7subpar t C o f thi s part , an dshal l conduc t it s domesti c operation s i n accordanc e wit h th e applicabl e requirement s o f part 12 1 o f thi s chapte r

an dshall b e issue doperation s specification s fo

r thos e operations . However , base do n ashowin g o f safet y i n air commerce , th e Administrato r ma y permi t person s who conduc t

domesti c operation s betwee n an

y poin t locate di n th e State o f

Alask at o comply wit

h th e requirement s applicabl e t o flag operation s containe di n subpar t U o f par t 12 1 o f this chapter . Th e petitione r

support s it s reques t

wit h th e followin g information : Th e petitione r

request s agran t

o f exemption , simila

r t o Exemptio n No . 961 9 issue dlas t year , t o permi t

th e lA Ft o continu e flyin g i n suppor t of th e Iditaro ddo g sle drace . Th e petitione r propose s tw o ne w condition s that addres s the lengt

h o f th e exemptio n an dt o defin e precisel y what

flight s th e lA Fca

n conduc t pursuant t o this exemption . Th e petitione r

state s th e FA A previousl y inquire dwhether th e lA Fcoul dreduc e it s carriag e o f

certai n passenger s b y usin g local par t 13 5 operators . T o d o it s job , th e lA F need s t o transport

no t jus t dog s an dstra w bu t

als o mushers , volunteers , veterinarians , etc . Th e petitione r

acknowledge s that

th e carriag e o f

medi apersonne l remain s i n question . Th e petitione r

mainteun s tha t

th e lA Fi s fa

r safe r than any part

13 5 operator s wh o ma

y desire t o make thes e sam e flights . Th e lA Fha s thousand s o f Iditarod-specifi c flying hour s tha t spa n tw o decades . I

n th e past , th e petitioner

ha s carrie dtw o o f

th e Committee * s licensee s (Origina l Productions/Discover y Charme l an dVersus ) andth e Committee* s ow n medi astaff . O f th e tota l 1,48 6 flight s mad e b y th e lA Flas t

year , 5 8 flights were conducte dfo

r Original Productions/Discover y Channe l an dVersu s combmed . Origina l Productions/Discovery Channe l ha d1 9 people ; o f

thes e 19 , th e lA Fflew 1 5 a

t on e tim e o r

anothe r (other s move db

y snowmachine , were base donl y i n Anchorage , o r

otherwis e di dno t

fl y b y smal l plane) . Versus' s cre w totale dthre e people , an dth e lA Fflew al l thre e o f the ma t on e time o r

another . Th e lA Fan dth e Committe e agre e that 10 0 percent of thes e Original Production/Discover

y Channe l andVersu s flight s will no t b e flown b y th e LA

Funder par t 9 1 and/o r thi s exemptio n and , instead , tha t certificate dpar

t 13 5 operator s wil l carr

y thes e people . Pursuan t

t o th e Committee' s contrac t wit h thes e tw o organizations , i t i s require dt o provid e thes e crew s wit h housin g an dlogistica

l support , includin g ai r transportatio n fo

r u p t o thre e peopl e pe r

da y alon g the rac e route . Th e petitione r wil l attemp t t o locate part

13 5 operator s willin g t o carr y thes e tw o productio n company members , eve n thoug h th e Committe e wil l likel y hav e t o pa y fo r tha t transportation . I

f aloca l par t 13 5 operato r

i s no t availabl e o r

economicall y reasonable , th e petitione r wil l us e it s pilot s wh o posses s avali dpart 13 5 certificate an dal l suc h flights wil l b e operate dunde r

part 135 . Th e petitione r

state s that

five lA Fpilot s hav e submitte d application s t o th e FAA t o become singl e pilo t par t 13 5 operators , an donc e thos e certificate s ar e issued , thes e pilot s coul dcarr y th e tw o productio n crew s fo r 10 0 percen t 

### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 2 of 7o f th e race . Th e lA Fpilot s wil l no t resort t o usin g it s par

t 13 5 privileges , however , unles s alocal part

13 5 operato r

i s unavailabl e o r

no t economicall y reasonable . Hi e lA F wil l als o kee p record s o f

it s solicitation s t o par

t 13 5 operator s fo

r suc h non-essential flight andproduc e suc h record s upo n reques t b y th e FAA . Th e petitione r

state s that

it s medi apersonne l ar e vital t o th e Iditarod . Th e Committee' s medi apersonne l ar e treate dan ddeeme dth e same a s rac e officials , veterinarians , etc . Th e petitione r

state s i t i s essentia l tha t

i t b e abl e t o fly wit

h lA Fpilots . Th e Committee' s missio n i s t o preserv e th e spor t o f mushin g an dt o stag e th e world' s premier do g sle drac e alon g th e histori c Iditaro dTrail . Th e petitione r accomplishe s muc h o f it s missio n throug h th e medi astaff . Th e staf f films th e race , provide s Web

base dproduct s fo

r th e rac e fans , an dproduce s a90-minute documentar y eac h year . Durin g las t

year' s race , th e Committee' s medi acre w wa s comprise do f 1 1 people . Lik e al l othe r Iditaro dcrews , thes e peopl e "lived " th e race , slep t o n floors wit

h volunteers , etc . Neithe r

th e lA Fno r

th e Committe e sel l th e medi astaf f spac e o n an

y lA Fplane . Th e medi acre w i s t o documen t th e race , flying i s a

n "incidental " t o gettin g where th e documentatio n take s places . T o eliminat e an y confusion , th e petitione r propose s th e followin g languag e a s a

n conditio n for

th e exemption . "lA Fpilot s holdin g a

t leas t acommercial or

airlin e transpor

t pilo t licens e an da curren t secon dclas s medical may carr y no t onl y inanimate object s an danimal s bu t als o veterinarians , rac e officials , mushers , volunteers , Iditaro dInside r Crew , an dsimila

r people . Non-essential cre w suc h a s Origina l Production/Discovery Chaime l andVersu s shall no t b e carrie dpursuan t

t o this exemption , althoug h suc h non-essentia l cre w ma y b e carrie db y lA Fpilot s wh o otherwis e hol dan doperat e suc h flight (s ) pursuan t

t o avali dpar

t 13 5 certificate . Th e lA Fwil l als o kee p record s o f it s solicitation s t o par

t 13 5 operator s fo

r suc h non-essentia l flights an dproduc e siK h records upo n reques t b y th e FAA. " Th e petitione r

state s th e FA A ha s discusse dthe possibilit y o f requirin g eac h plan e use db y th e lA Ft o underg o a125-hour inspection . Th e petitione r state s that

this present s tw o problems . First , som e o f th e pilot s fly a

t leas t thi s muc h durin g th e rac e itself , andi t i s no t feasibl e t o require th e aircraf t t o underg o amid-rac e inspection . Second , man

y o f th e pilot s hav e already undergon e a n aimua l inspectio n andlogge d hour s o n hi s o r

he r plan e an drequirin g additional inspectio n mid-cycl e woul dimpos e alarg e economi c burden , whil e no t advancin g safety . Th e petitioner suggest s th e followin g tw o solutions : (I ) D o no t create ane w conditio n o f th e exemptio n for

an y inspection s beyon dth e requiremen t fo r a n annual inspection ; o r

(2 ) require a

n inspectio n i

n th e prio r

20 0 flight-hours (no t

12 5 hours) .



### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 3 of 7In additio n t o th e propose dlanguag e above , th e petitioner propose s a5-yea

r exemptio n t o allo w for

resolutio n o f

aclosel y relatedissue , nonprofit 'inerc y flights." Sinc e 2007 , certai n nonprofi t

flights hav e bee n authorize db y § 91.146 . lA Fflights are no t fo r profit , bu t thi s regulatio n applie s onl y t o flights tha t begi n an den da t

th e same plac e an donl y i f

th e flights ar e limite di n number . The petitioner state s tha t Alask aSenato r Lis aMurkowski introduce dabil l t o slightl y expan dthis scope . lA Fcontend s tha t i f Congres s passe s th e bil l o r th e FA A expand s § 91.146 , thi s shoul dpermanentl y resolv e th e lA Fsituation . Thepetitione r strongl y support s Senator Mukowski' s bill . Th e petitione r believe s tha

t a5-yea r exemptio n woul dallo w either Congres s or

th e FAA t o resolv e th e issue . Th e petitione r state s i t i s it s understandin g tha

t th e FA A i s considerin g a3-yea

r exemption . Th e petitione r assert s tha

t ther e woul db e n o downsid e to grantin g a5-yea

r exemptio n becaus e (1 ) safet y wouldno t

b e compromise ddurin g th e additional 2-yea

r perio dan d(2 ) th e exemptio n woul db e shortene diC^whe n Congres s and/o r th e FAA resolv e th e merc y flight issu e throug h rewriting o f th e regulation (o r passag e o f

astatute) . Th e petitione r propose s th e followin g languag e for this condition . "Thi s exemptio n shal l continu e fo r five years , unles s th e FA

A (a ) furthe

r extend s thi s exemption , o r (b ) th e lA Fflights are encompasse dwithi n th e regulations tha

t ar e th e result

o f rewriting § 91.146. " Th e FAA ha s determine dthat goo dcaus e exist s fo

r waivin g th e requiremen t

fo r Federa l Registe r publicatio n becaus e th e exemption , i f granted , wouldno t

se t aprecedent , andan

y dela y i n actin g o n thi s petitio n woul db e detrimenta l t o lAF . Th e FAA' s analysi s i s a s follows : Th e FA A ha s considere dfull

y th e petitioner' s reques t

andsupportiv e informatio n an dfinds tha t agran t o f exemptio n woul db e i n th e publi c interes t wouldprovid e a

n equivalen t

leve l o f safet y t o tha t provide db

y th e regulation . I n evaluatin g th e petition , th e FAA ha s considere dtha t without th e ai r transportatio n suppor

t o f th e lA Fth e Iditaro drac e coul dno t b e safel y o r

efficiently conducted . Th e FA A understand s that

thi s i s largel y becaus e many , i f no t most , of th e curren t

part 13 5 operator s i n Alask aar e seasonal an dar e no t capabl e o f

effectively andsafel

y supportin g this year' s race . Th e FA A als o understand s tha

t cancelin g thi s year' s rac e woul dcreate a n economi c hardshi p for many communitie s i

n Alask aand , i

n fact , fo r th e entire State . Th e FAA , therefore , finds th e publi c interes t

i s serve db y allowin g th e saf e conduc t o f th e 200 9 Iditaro drace . Th e FA A ha s reviewedth e petitioner' s reques t an dbelieve s th e petitione r ha s mad e adiligent effor t t o operat e unde r

par t 13 5 i n suppor

t o f th e race . However , th e petitione r ha s encountere dman y obstacles . I n orde r to carr y passengers , & e petitione r attempte dt o obtai n a par t 13 5 certificate bu t

wa s unsuccessful . Reportedly , six lAFpilot s bega n th e applicatio n process ; however , the y encountere ddifficult y regarding possibl e wor

k conflict . Thes e difficultie s include dcondition s o f hir e an dothe r

contractual obligation s with ai r carrier s fo

r who mthe y work . 

### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 4 of 7Th e FA A recognize s that

lA Fpilot s fo

r th e mos t par t wor k full-time elsewhere , no t

onl y wit h othe r ai r carriers . A s acquirin g necessar y certificate s andmaintainin g currenc y i s tim e consuming , tw o pilot s withdrew . I n addition , tw o pilot s reporte dinsufficient tim e t o acquir e certificate s prio r

t o th e race . Th e FAA furthe

r recognize s th e petitioner' s attemp t t o contrac t

are apar t 13 5 an - carriers ; nonetheless , i t

wa s unsuccessfiil . Mos t

operat e seasonall y (summer) , refuse t o operate off

airport , o r refuse t o remai n with th e volunteer s for th e sometime s required1 1 day s sleepin g o n floors. I n evaluatin g whethe r

agran t o f exemptio n t o th e petitioner woul dprovid e aleve l o f safet y equivalen t

t o tha t o f th e regulations, th e FA

A considere dth e positiv e step s tha t th e petitione r ha s mad e towar dmeetin g par t 13 5 safet y standards . Thes e includ e developin g extensiv e flight

training , inspectin g it s aircraf t befor e th e rac e b y mechanic s holdin g inspectio n authorizations , developin g ahazardou s material s trainin g program , an ddraftin g a n operation s manual . Further , th e FA A finds tha

t th e lAFha s many year s o f experienc e i n safel y coordinatin g an dsupervisin g thes e flight operations . Th e FAA als o understand s tha t operationa l contro l b y certificate doperators/carriers , withou t tim e fo r proper plannin g an dcoordination , woul dcreat e considerabl e adde drisk. Th e lA Frequeste da5-yea r exemption . Th e FAA ha s determine dtha t amultipl e yea

r exemptio n woul dno t

b e appropriate . Give n th e nature of th e operation s an dth e potential fo r chang e i n certificate doperato r status , this exemption , wit h it s particula

r condition s an d limitations , i s appropriat e for th e 200 9 Iditaro drac e only . Whil e th e FA A ha s determine d tha t th e exemptio n wit

h it s condition s an dlimitation s will provid e a n equivalen t

leve l o f safety , i t shoul db e note dtha t

th e lA Fi s encourage dt o tak e additional step s t o continu e t o mov e close r

t o par t 13 5 standards , suc h a s creatin g mor e forma l pilo t records . Th e FAA believe s tha

t operation s under

th e condition s an

dlimitation s stipulate di n thi s exemptio n wil l preserv e a n equivalen t

leve l o f safety . Therefore , th e FA A find s tha t a gran t o f exemptio n for

th e Committee/IA Fan dpilot s allowin g the mt o accep t monetar y an dnon-monetary compensatio n i n return fo r transportatio n o f

peopl e o r propert y i s i n th e publi c interest . Th e FAA* s Decisio n I n consideratio n o f

th e foregoing , 1 fin dthat agrant o f exemptio n i s i n th e publi c interest . Therefore , pursuan t

t o di e authority containe di n 4 9 U.S.C . § § 4011 3 and44701 , delegate dt o m e b y th e Administrator , Iditaro dAi r Forc e i s grante da

n exemptio n fiom1 4 CF

R §§61.113(a ) an d119.2 1 (a)(l ) t o th e exten t necessar y t o allo w th e petitione r

an ddi e aircraf

t operator s identifie di n Conditio n an dLimitatio n No . 3 belo w t o accep t monetar y andnon monetar y compensatio n i n return for transportatio n o f

peopl e o r propert y an dth e us e o f

fuel . 

### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 5 o f 7food , an dequipmen t either purchase db

y th e Iditaro dTrai l Committe e /lA Fo r otherwis e made b y privat e donations , subjec t t o th e condition s an dlimitation s liste dbelow . Condition s an dLimitation s 1 . Onl y U.S.-registere daircraf t ma y b e use di n thes e flight

operations . 2 . Th e lA Fmus t

maintai n acurren t

aircraf t listin g t o includ e th e '*N " registration number o f eac h aircraf

t use db y th e lAF , includin g th e make-model-series . Th e lis t mus t b e availabl e fo

r FA A review . 3 . Onl y thos e pilot s identifie di n alis t provide dt o andapprove db y th e Anchorag e Fligh t Standard s Distric t

Offic e (th e List ) ma

y operate under

thi s exemption . The Lis t

mus t includ e eac h airman' s name , typ e o f FA A airma n certificate , andclas s anddate o f issuanc e o f

FA A medical certificate . 4 . A flight

followin g procedur e mus t b e implemente dfo

r eac h flight

under thi s exemption . 5 . Th e Committee/IA Fan deac h aircraf t owne r andoperato r

wil l assum e regulatory responsibility ensurin g tha t eac h aircraf

t operate dunde

r this exemptio n will hav e a curren t annual inspectio n a s require db y § 91.409(a ) a t th e tim e o f

an y operation . Additionall y eac h aircraf

t operate dunde r

thi s exemptio n mus t

hav e a125-hou

r inspection . 6 . Privat e pilo t

certificate holder s identifie di n th e Lis t ma y onl y carr

y inanimate propert

y and/o r dogs . 7 . Commercial pilo t

certificat e holder s an dau*lin e transpor t pilo t certificate holder s identifie di n th e Lis t

wh o d o no t

posses s vali dsecond

- o r

first-class medical certificate s ma

y conduc t operation s tha t

includ e carriag e o f

inanimat e propert

y and/o r dogs ; n o person s ma

y b e carried . Eac h pilo t

operatin g under

this paErrhus t

liofd~a t leas t athird-clas s airma

n medical certificate . 8 . Passenger-carryin g flights are limite dt o personne l essentia l t o th e rac e (e.g. , veterinarian s or

physicians) . Sai dflights mus t b e conducte db

y pilot s holdin g a

t leas t acommercial pilo t

certificat e anda

t leas t asecond-clas s airman medical certificate . Onl y U.S.-certificate dairme n may ac t a s requiredcrewmember s i n aircraf t operate d unde r this exemption . 9 . lA Fpilot s wh o ar e no t operatin g imde r

par t 13 5 ma y carr y onl y persotme l whos e transportatio n i s essential t o rac e operation s (suc h a s do g foo dhandlers , medical personnel , communication s volunteers , etc.) . Th e Committe e mus t identif y thos e personne l b

y nam e to lA Fpilots . Th e operato r o f each aircraf

t operatio n shal l maintai n arecordo f

eac h flight

an dmak e th e same availabl e t o th e FA A upo n request . 10 . Pilot s operatin g under

thi s exemptio n an dunder par t 13 5 shal l carr

y only personne l essentia l t o race operations . 

### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 6 of 7^

11 . Al l operation s wil l b e conducte dunde r da y visual flight

rules . N o nighttim e or instrumen t

flight rule s operation s wil l b e conducte di n any operatio n affecte db y or subjec t t o this exemption . 12 . Al l passenger-carryin g operation s conducte dunder thi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n accordanc e wit

h par t 13 5 weathe r

minimimi s foun

di n § 135.205(a) . 13 . Al l passenger-carryin g operation s conducte dunder thi s exemptio n shal l b e conducte d i n fiill complianc e wiU

i altitud e restrictions containe di n § 135.203(a)(1) . 14 . Al l personne l affecte dby , o r relyin g on , thi s exemption , o r include di n th e Lis t

under Conditio n an dLimitatio n No . 3 , shal l b e provide dawritte n cop y o f th e exemption . 15 . A cop y o f

this exemptio n shal l b e carrie daboardeac h aircraf t operate dunder

thi s exemption . 16 . Th e Committee/IA Fwil l conduc t aone-tim e briefin g o n th e condition s o f th e exemptio n fo

r al l person s describe dabov e before an y perso n commence s an

y flight operation s conducte dunde r thi s exemption . 17 . Eac h passenge r

wil l receiv e aplain-languag e safet y briefin g b y th e pilo t

befor e eac h lA Fflight, b e informe do f th e exemption , an db e notifie dth e flight i s no t bein g conducte db y a

n FA A certificate dai r

carrier . 18 . Th e lA Fwil l kee p record s o f it s solicitation s t o par

t 13 5 operator s an dproduc e suc h record s upo n reques t

t o th e FAA . Thi s exemptio n terminate s o n Apri l 30,2009 , unles s soone r supersede do r

rescinded . Issuedi n Washington , D.C,o n Januar y 2 3 , 2009 , 

# : m(ijuik

^ oh n M . Alle n irector . Fligh t Standard s Servic e



### Exhibi t 3 Pag e 7 of 7

# o USDeportme m 80 0 independence Ave. . S.W . o f iOnspCrlDlio n Washington . D.C . 2059 1 rI J I- 1 » , ,1 , li i • I I rvuBra i Mnono n AdnMstraHo n 

## CORRECTE D COPY Thi s lette r correct s th e January 29,2010 , lette r w e sen t grantin g your

petition . Th e FA A correcte dth e terminatio n dat e i n th e exemption . W e hav e mad e th e correctio n i n ou r record s a s o f

Februar y 3 , 2010 . January 29,201 0 Exemptio n No . 9810 A Regulator y Docket No . FAA-2008-124 6 Gregor y A . Miller , Esq . Counse l fo

r Iditaro dAi r

Forc e Birch , Horton , Bittner

an dChero t 112 7 Wes t

7 * Avenu e Anchorage , A

K 9950 1 Dea r Mr . Miller ; Thi s lette r i s t o infor myo u that

w e hav e grante dyou

r petitio n t o exten dExemptio n No . 9810 . I

t explain s th e basi s fo

r ou r decision , describe s it s effect , andlist s th e revisedcondition s an dlimitations . Th e Basi s fo r

Ou r Decisio n B y letter date dMarc h 20,2009 , you petitione dth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behal f

o f Iditaro dAi r

Forc e (lAF ) fo r

a n extensio n o f

Exemptio n No . 9810 . That

exemptio n from§61.n3(a ) an dH9.21(a)(l)ofTitl e 14 , Code o f Federal Regulation s allow s th e petitione r an dth e aircraf

t operator s t o accep t monetar y an dnonmonetar

y compensatio n i n return fo r transportatio n o f

peopl e o r propert y an dth e us e o f

fuel , food , an dequipmen t eithe r pim;hase db y th e Iditaro d Trai l Committe e (ITC)/IA Fo r otherwis e mad e b y private donations . I n you r petition , yo u indicate that ther e ha s bee n n o chang e i n th e condition s and reasons relative t o publi c interes t an dsafet y that wer e th e basi s fo

r grantin g th e original exemption . 

### Exhibi t 4 Pag e 1 of 6Th e FA A ha s determine dthat goo dcaus e exist s for

not publishin g asummar

y o f th e petitio n i n th e Federal Registe r becaus e th e requeste dextensio n o f th e exemptio n i s no t preceden t

setting . In evaluatin g th e petition , th e FA A ha s considere dtha t withou t th e ai r transportatio n support o f th e lAF , th e Iditaro drac e coul dno t b e safely o r

efficienfly conducted . Th e FA A understand s that this i s largel y becaus e many , i f no t most , o f th e curren t par t 13 5 operator s i n Alask aar e seasonal an dar e no t capabl e o f

effectively an d safely supportin g th e race . Th e FA A als o understand s tha t cancelin g th e rac e woul d creat e a n economi c hardshi p fo r Alaska . Th e FAA , therefore , find s th e publi c interes t i s serve db y allowin g this exen^tio n fo r th e safe-conduc t

o f th e 201 0 throug h th e 201 2 Iditaro drace . Base dupo n representation made b y th e lAF , th e FA A believe s th e petitione r

mad e a diligen t effor t t o operat e with par

t 1 3 5 suppor

t fo r th e race . lA Fattempte dt o obtai n it s part 13 5 certificate bu t

wa s unsuccessful . However , approximatel y seve n lA F pilot s reportedly hav e receive dpar t 13 5 singl e pilo t

certificates . Thi s ha s allowe d th e lA Fth e abilit

y t o carr y passenger s wh o hadbee n classifie di n th e pas t tw o exemption s a s "non-essential persoimel " (e.g. , ESPN filmcrewmembers) . Thi s i s accomplishe db y requiring thes e "non-essentia l personnel " t o b e carrie donly b y thos e LA Fpilot s wh o ar

e part 13 5 certificated . An equivalen t

leve l o f safet y ha s bee n demonstrate db y th e lA Fove r

th e pas t several years . Th e lAFha s mad e positiv e movemen t towardmeetin g par

t 13 5 standard s suc h a s developin g a

n extensiv e flight

trainin g program , inspectin g it s aircraf t before th e race b y mechanic s with inspectio n authorization , developin g ahazma t trainin g program , anddraftin g a

n operation s manual . Th e FA A als o finds tha

t th e lA Fha s many year s o f

experienc e i n safely coordinatin g andsupervisin g thes e flight operations . Th e FAA understand s tha t operational contro l b y certificate d operators/ai r

carriers , withou t

tim e fo r prope r plannin g an

dcoordination , woul d create considerabl e adde drisk. Further , th e FA A finds tha

t th e lA Fha s man

y year s o f experienc e i n safely coordinatin g andsupervisin g thes e flight operations . The FAA believe s that

operation s unde r

th e condition s andlimitation s stipulate di n thi s exemptio n wil l provid e a n equivalen t leve l o f safety . Therefore , th e FA A finds that agran t o f exemptio n for

th e ITC/IA Fan dthei r

pilot s allowin g the mto accep t monetar y an dnonmonetar

y compensatio n i n retumfo r transportatio n o f

peopl e o r propert y i s i n th e publi c interest . I n you r petition , yo

u requestedtha

t thi s exemptio n b e grante dfor

5 years , th e FA A find s that i t i s i n th e bes t

interes t o f safet y t o revie w this exemptio n i n 2 years . A s state dabove , th e lA Fha s complete dsome step s towar dmeetin g par

t 13 5 standards . In anticipatio n of th e continue dprogressio n towardpart

13 5 standards , w e hav e include dmilestone s that , whil e they d o no t require completio n durin g this 2-yea r period , ma

y b e considere di f

furthe r extensioi u o f

this exemptio n ar e requested . Considerin g th e rationale fo r th e gran t 

### Exhibi t 4 Pag e 2 of 6o f exemptio n i n th e discussio n above , this exemptio n wil l allo w ITC/IA Ft o perfor m flights fiomFebruar

y 1 5 unti l Apri l 3 0 eac h yea r o r unti l th e Iditaro drac e ends , whichever come s first, fo

r tha t yea r startin g i n 201 0 andendin g i n 2012 . Ou r Decisio n The FAA ha s determine dtha t th e justificatio n fo

r th e issuanc e o f Exemptio n No . 981 0 remain s vali dwit h respec t t o thi s exemptio n an di s i n th e publi c interest . Therefore , xmde r th e authorit

y provide db y 4 9 U.S.C . 4011 3 and44701 , whic h th e FAA Admirustrato r ha s delegate dt o me , I grant your petition , subjec t t o th e followin g revisedcondition s andlimitations . Condition s an dLimitation s 1 . Th e lA Fmus t

produc e an dsubmi t

document s t o b e accepte db y it s principal operation s inspecto r

(POI ) accordin g t o th e tim e tabl e below : a . B y Februar

y 28 , 2010 , submi t

th e lA Foperational contro l procedures , including , bu t

no t limite dto , th e IAF* s officia l definitio n o f

an dth e proces s use dt o identif

y "authorize dpassengers " (e.g. , ITC personne l essential t o th e race , rac e volunteer s an dparticipants , race officials , mushers , veterinarian s etc.) . b . B y Octobe r

30,2010 , submi t

aflightcrew trainin g program , writte n i n accordanc e wit

h th e standard s state di n FA A Order 8900.1 , Flight

Standard s Informatio n Managemen t

System , volum e 3 , chapter 19 . An y trainin g requiremen t

i n th e guidanc e th e FA

A determine s i s no t

practical for

it s applicatio n shal l b e addresse db y th e FA A durin g th e acceptanc e process . Th e lA Fwil l als o mee t

th e recordkeepin g requirements a s liste di n § 135.63 . V c . B y October

30 , 2011 , submi t

aletter o f complianc e (LOC/Complianc e Statement ) t o par

t 13 5 a s requiredi

n FA A Orde r 8900.1 , volum e 2 , chapter 4 , sectio n 3 , phas e 3 , paragrap h 2-398 . d . B y October

30,2012 , submi t

agenerz doperation s manua

l (GOM ) fo

r acceptanc e i n accordanc e with requiremen t i n § 135.2 1 an dcontainin g th e infonnatio n liste di n § 135.23 . e . Durin g th e preparatio n perio dfor , anddurin g th e rac e of , 201 4 th e lA Fwil l b e subjec t t o FA A validatio n o f

trainin g an dcheckin g i n accordanc e wit h al l previousl y accepte ddocuments . A t tha t time , th e lA Fwil l mee t

th e regulatory standard s se t

fort h i n par t 135 . 2 . Th e lA Fmus t

operat e t o th e standardo f an y FAA-accepte dlA Fdocumen t o r procedure , o r

condition/limitation , liste di n this exemption , whicheve r i s more restrictive . 

### Exhibi t 4 Pag e 3 of 63 . Th e lA Fmus t creat e an dmaintai n acurren t aircraf t lis t t o include : a . th e registratio n numbe r

o f eac h aircraf

t use db y th e lAF , includin g th e make , mode l an dseries ; b . th e dat e o f

eac h aircraft^ s las t

armua l inspectio n an dth e tota

l tim e o f th e aircraf t a t it s las t 100-hour inspection ; c . th e designatio n o f

any liste daircraf

t that ma y b e use di

n passenger-carryin g operations ; an d d . th e designatio n o f

any liste daircraf

t tha t ma y b e operate dunde r

par t 13 5 durin g th e sam e tim e perio dtha t th e aircraf

t i s als o operatin g unde r

thi s exemption , includin g th e nam e o f th e par t 13 5 operato r

a s show n o n it s certificate . Thi s lis t

mus t b e mad e availabl e fo

r FA A review upo n request . 4 . A t th e begirmin g o f

eac h rac e season , th e lA Fmus t create an dmaintai n alis t notin g th e dat e an dtime eac h individua l lA Fpilo t begin s t o operate unde r

this exemptio n an dth e dat e an dtim e whe n eac h iiKlividua l lA Fpilo t

i s released from lA Fdut y and/o r this exemption . Thi s lis t

mus t b e availabl e for

FA A review upo n request . Th e lA Fnee dno t updat e this lis t

t o indicate whe n aqualifie dpar t 13 5 lA Fpilo t "temporarily " stop s operatin g under thi s exemptio n t o carr

y passenger s no t identifie da s "ITC/IA Fauthorize dpassengers " (Conditio n No . 13) . 5 . Th e lA Fmus t

create an dmaintai n acurren t pilo t listin g t o include : a . eac h airman' s name ; b . th e grad e andnumbe r

o f FA A airman certificates ; c . th e clas s an ddat e o f

issuanc e o f

eac h airman' s FA

A medica l certificate ; and d . eac h lA Fpilo t

wh o ma y als o operate under

par t 13 5 durin g th e sam e tim e perio dhe/sh e i s operatin g unde r thi s exemptio n wil l b e note do n this list . Thi s lis t mus t b e foundacceptabl e b y th e Anchorag e Flight Standard s Distric t Offic e (FSDO) . 6 . Only U.S.-rcgistere daircraf t ma y b e use dfor

an y flight conducte dunder

this exemption . 7 . Th e FA A accepte dflight followin g procedur e mus t b e implemente dfo

r eac h flight conducte dunde r

thi s exemption . 8 . Th e ITC/IAFandeac h aircraf t owne r andoperato r

wil l ensur

e eac h aircraf

t operate dimder

this exemptio n wil l hav e acurrent annua l inspectio n a s required b y § 91.409(a ) a

t th e tim e o f

an y operation . Als o th e ITC/IAFan deac h aircraf

t owner an doperato r

mus t ensure eac h aircraf

t operate dunder

thi s exemptio n that 

### Exhibi t 4 Pag e 4 o f 66 carrie s passenger s hav e acurren t lOO-hou r inspectio n durin g al l operation s under thi s exemption . 9 . Privat e pilo t

certificate holder s identifie di n th e lis t (Conditio n No . 5 ) ma

y onl y can y carg o and/o r

dogs . 10 . Eac h pilo t

operatin g unde r

this exemptio n mus t

hol da t leas t avali dthird-clas s airman medical certificate . Coirmiercial o r airlin e transpor

t pilo t certificate holder s identifie di n th e lis t (Conditio n No . 5 ) wh o d o no t posses s vali dsecon d o r first-class medical certificate s ar e limite dt o th e privilege s o r authorization s afforde dprivat e pilots . 11 . Passenger-carryin g flights operatin g unde r this exemptio n are limite dt o "authorize dpassengers " (Conditio n No . 1) . Thes e passenger-carryin g flights mus t b e conducte db y lA Fpilot s holdin g a t leas t acommercial pilo t

certificate an da t leas t avali dsecon dclas s medical certificate . Th e IT C mus t identif y al l "authorize dpassengers " b y nam e t o lA Fpilots . 12 . Th e operato r

o f eac h aircraf

t operate dunder

this exemptio n shal l maintai n a recordo f eac h flight, includin g th e nam e o f eac h passenger , an dmake tha t recordavailabl e t o th e FAA upo n request . 13 . Onl y lA Fpilot s qualifie dunde r part 13 5 (ai r carrier/operator) ar e allowe dt o carr y passenger s no t

identifie db y th e IT C a s "ITC/IAFauthorize dpassengers " durin g th e tim e period s the y ar e liste da s operatin g unde r thi s exemptio n (Conditio n No . 4) . Thes e "othe r tha n ITC/IA Fauthorize dpassengers " flights mus t b e conducte di n accordanc e with part 13 5 an dth e ai r carrier/operator' s operatio n specifications . Al l lA Fflights conducte db y par t 13 5 qualifie dpilot s wil l b e conducte di n accordanc e with flight tim e anddut

y rule s o f § 135.267 . 14 . An y lA Fpilo t

wh o i s subjec t

t o fight an ddut y time limitation s wil l lo g al l lA F flight time a s "othe r

commercial flying." 15 . All lA Foperation s wil l b e conducte dunder da y visua l flight mles . N o nighttim e o r instrumen t

flight operatio n wil l b e conducte di n an y operatio n subjec t

t o thi s exemption . 16 . All operation s conducte dunde r this exemptio n shall b e conducte di n accordanc e with th e visibility requirement s o f § 135.205(a) . 17 . Al l operation s conducte dunde r this exemptio n shall b e conducte di n accordanc e wit h th e minimu maltitude s o f § 135.203(a)(1) . 

### Exhibi t 4 Pag e 5 of 618 . Al l persoime l affecte db y o r relying o n thi s exemption , includin g al l liste dlA F pilot s (Conditio n No . 5) , shal l b e provide dawritte n cop y o f th e exemption . 19 . A cop y o f

thi s exemptio n shal l b e carrie daboardeac h aircraf t operatin g under thi s exemption . 20 . Th e rrC/IA Fwil l conduc t abriefin g o n th e condition s o f thi s exemptio n t o al l person s affecte db y o r

relying o n thi s exemptio n befor e an y perso n commence s any flight operation s conducte dunde r this exemption . 21 . Eac h passenger

wil l receiv e aplai n languag e safet y briefin g b

y th e pilo t before eac h lA Fflight, b e informe do f th e exemption , an

db e notifie dthat

th e fligh t i s no t bein g conducte db y a n FAA-certificate dai r carrier . Thi s briefin g wil l includ e th e standard s liste di n § 135.117 . 22 . Th e lA Fwil l kee p record s o f it s solicitation s t o par

t 13 5 operator s (includin g certifie dpart

13 5 lA Fpilots ) an dproduc e suc h record s upo n reques t t o th e FAA . Th e Effec t

of Ou r Decisio n Our decisio n extend s th e terminatio n dat e o f Exemptio n No . 981 0 to Apri l 30,2012 , unles s sooner

supersede do r

rescinded . Thi s lette r mus t b e attache dto , an di s apar t of . Exemptio n No . 9810 . Sincerely , /s / Joh n M . Alle n Director , Fligh t

Standard s Servic e



### Exhibi t 4

Pag e 6 of 6