AFS-16-8406-E

April 29, 2016

 Exemption No. 7487N

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2000-8527

Mr. Michael Young

Director of Training Operations

SimCom Aviation Training

6989 Lee Vista Blvd

Orlando, FL 32822

Dear Mr. Young:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted in part, your petition to extend and amend 

Exemption No. 7487, as amended. In your December 3, 2015 petition, you also requested an 

amendment to the conditions and limitations (condition 23) to include operations in Canada, 

Mexico, and the Commonweath of the Bahamas. The amendment, if granted, would allow 

SimCom Aviation Training to authorize pilots who have sucessfully completed the exemption 

training and checking, to operate in these locations outside the United States single pilot in a 

CE-500 that would otherwise require a pilot and co-pilot.

At this time, the FAA is granting a six-month extension of the existing relief, while the 

agency considers the broader issues related to granting relief to SimCom’s amendment 

request.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated December 3, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of SimCom International, Inc. dba SimCom Aviation Training Orlando (SimCom) 

for an extension of Exemption No. 7487, as amended. That exemption from §§ 91.9(a), 

91.531(a)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) permits SimCom to 

train and check pilots (under its 14 CFR § 142 training center certificate, V6IX042K) of 

certain Cessna Citation aircraft covered by the CE-500 type rating to operate those airplanes 

with a single pilot, rather than with two as required by their type certificate data sheets.
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In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of the exemption would not set a 

precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to SimCom.

Our Decision

The FAA has amended the conditions and limitations of Exemption No. 7487, as amended, in 

order to clarify our original intent and standardize the relief with similarly granted 

exemptions. While the relief does not change substantially, all users of the exemption should 

thoroughly review the revised conditions and limitations.

In SimCom’s petition to extend and amend Exemption No. 7487, dated December 3, 2015, 

SimCom advised the FAA that SimCom has officially changed its name and been issued a 

revised training certificate under the name SimCom International, Inc. dba SimCom Aviation 

Training Orlando effective October 23, 2015. Corrections have been made in this exemption 

where necessary. 

Condition/Limitation No. 2 was amended to correct a misspelling of the word pilot.

Condition/Limitation No. 5c was amended to clearly define the term SIC.

Condition/Limitation No. 8c ii was amended to clarify the fact that an FAA Inspector or a 

§ 142 Training Center Evaluator may conduct the proficiency check required by this 

exemption.

Condition/Limitation No. 8d was amended to remove the inadvertent addition of the words 

“FAA Order.”

Condition/Limitation No. 24 was added to match similar granted exemptions and to ensure 

that SimCom is aware of the conditions under which this exemption may be withdrawn.

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 7487

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

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

delegated to me, I grant SimCom International, Inc. dba SimCom Aviation Training Orlando 

(SimCom) an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.9(a), 91.531(a)(1) and (2) to allow SimCom to 

train and check pilots (under its 14 CFR § 142 training center certificate, V6IX042K) of 

certain Cessna Citation aircraft covered by the CE-500 type rating to operate those airplanes 

with a single pilot, rather than with two as required by their type certificate data sheets,

subject to the following conditions and limitations.
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Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption applies to pilots operating Cessna Citation model 500, 550, S550, 552, 

and 560 airplanes who have successfully completed SimCom’s approved single-pilot 

authorization course and complied with all of the terms of this exemption.

2. This exemption is effective for the conduct of the required training and checking only 

if SimCom’s CE-550 single-pilot training program receives and maintains approval 

under part 142 from the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) that has 

jurisdictional authority over the SimCom’s part 142 training center certificate.

3. This exemption is effective only if it is listed in SimCom’s training specificiations, 

paragraph A005.

4. Any flight operated using the privileges of this exemption may be conducted under 

part 91 only.

5. Each pilot conducting single-pilot operations under the terms of this exemption must –

a. Complete SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 CE-500 single-pilot curriculum 

before conducting such operations;

b. Hold an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate with a CE-500 type rating or a 

commercial pilot certificate (CPL) with an airplane instrument rating and CE500 type rating before entering SimCom’s part 142 CE-500 single-pilot 

curriculum;

c. Have logged at least 1,000 hours of total pilot flight time, including at least 50 

hours of night flight time; 75 hours of instrument flight time, 40 hours of 

which are in actual instrument meteorological conditions; and 500 hours as 

pilot-in-command (PIC), second-in-command (SIC), or both, in turbinepowered airplanes;

d. Not perform any circling instrument approaches to minimums of less than 200 

feet and 1 mile above the published minimums until after completing 100

hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 series airplanes;

e. Not perform any straight-in instrument approaches to minimums of less than 

100 feet and one-half statute mile visibility above the published minimums 

until after completing 100 hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 

series airplanes;

f. Use a boom microphone; and 
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g. Use a fully functioning autopilot that is controllable about three axes and 

capable of approach coupling.

6. The CE-500 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal curriculum 

must includea. Ground instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a SimCom’s 

part 142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimCom’s approved 

procedures) that covers at least the following aeronautical knowledge areas:

i. Safe and efficient operation of airplanes;

ii. Weight and balance computations;

iii. Use of performance charts;

iv. Significance and effects of exceeding airplane performance limitations;

v. Principles and functions of airplane systems;

vi. Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency operations; and

vii. Night and high-altitude operations.

b. Flight instruction appropriate to the CE-500 airplane given by a SimCom’s part 

142 instructor (designated in accordance with SimCom’s approved procedures) 

that covers at least the following areas of operation:

i. Preflight preparation;

ii. Preflight inspection and procedures;

iii. Taxiing;

iv. Normal and crosswind takeoffs and departures;

v. In-flight maneuvers including configuration changes, approaches to 

stalls, and steep turns;

vi. Simulated powerplant ailure (actual powerplant failure if accomplished 

in a flight simulator);

vii. Instrument procedures;

viii. Precision and nonprecision approaches;

ix. Missed approaches;

x. Landings and approaches to landings;

xi. Normal and crosswind landings;

xii. Landing with a simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure 

if accomplished in a flight simulator);

xiii. Normal and abnormal procedures;

xiv. Emergency procedures; and 

xv. Post-flight procedures.

7. The instruction required in Conditional and Limitation No. 6b may be completed in an 

approved flight simulator, qualified as-
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a. A Level A or B flight simulator, provided the applicant satisfactorily 

accomplishes as part of the training program the following in-flight maneuvers 

and procedures as sole manipulator of the controls in a CE-500 series airplane:

i. Exterior preflight inspection;

ii. Taxiing; 

iii. Normal and crosswind takeoffs (minimum of three);

iv. Normal and crosswind approaches and landings (minimum of three);

v. Landing from a precision approach;

vi. Missed approach;

vii. Approach and landing with a simulated powerplant failure;

viii. Normal approach and landing;

ix. Landing from a circling approach; and 

x. Landing from a no flap or nonstandard flap approach.

b. A Level C or D flight simulator provided the applicant has performed at least 

three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop as the sole manipulator of the 

flight controls in the CE-500 series airplane within the preceeding 90 days.

8. An applicant seeking to obtain or renew a single-pilot authorization under this 

exemption musta. Satisfactorily complete SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum;

b. Satisfactorily complete the curriculum’s required qualification module, 

consisting of a stand-alone proficiency check in either a CE-500 series 

airplane, an appropriately qualified and approved flight simulator, or a 

combination thereof;

c. Satifactorily complete this proficiency checki. Within 30 days of completing the training; and

ii. Under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA inspector or 

training center evaluator (TCE) who is qualified and authorized to 

conduct either § 61.58 proficiency checks or type rating practical tests 

in CE-500 series flight simulators or airplanes, as appropriate.

d. Satisfactorily complete all tasks listed in the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and 

Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards (FAA-S-8081-5F) that are 

required for an initial CE-500 type rating; and

e. Satisfactorily perform all maneuvers and procedures as a single pilot during the 

entire proficiency check. Training to proficiency during the check is not 
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permitted, and failure of any maneuver will result in failure of the proficiency 

check.

9. Until the circling approach task has been satisfactorily demonstrated in an airplane or 

in a simulator qualified for the circling approach task to an FAA inspector or FAAdesignated examinera. The applicant’s records will be annotated with the statement, “Demonstration 

of circling approach was not accomplished”; and

b. The applicant must not perform circling approaches as the PIC when weather 

conditions are less than the weather minimums for basic visual flight rules.

10. The circling approach requirement must be accomplished in an airplane or in a 

simulator that is qualified and approved in SimCom’s training specificiations for the 

circling approach task.

11. A person who previously has received a single-pilot authorization in a Cessna Citation 

model 500, 550, S550, 552, or 560 airplane must complete SimCom’s FAA-approved 

part 142 single-pilot differences training course to obtain a single-pilot authorization 

for a different Cessna Citation model.

12. All flight training conducted in accordance with this exemption must be given by a 

flight instructor employed by SimCom who also meets the requirements of 

Condition/Limitation Nos. 5(a), (b), and (c) of this exemption.

13. A person seeking to obtain a single-pilot authorization must satisfactorily complete 

ground and flight training through SimCom’s FAA-approved part 142 single-pilot 

curriculum and must also receive training on the differences between the Cessna 

Citation model represented by the simulator used for training and checking and the 

Cessna Citation model for which single-pilot authorization is requested.

14. A single-pilot authorization will be valid for 12 calendar months. A person who 

renrews a single-pilot authorization in the calendar month before or after the calendar 

month in which it is due is considered to have renewed the single-pilot authorization 

when due.

15. Successful completion of the proficiency check used in SimCom’s FAA-approved part 

142 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal training program 

identified in Condition/Limation No. 8 satisfies the requirements of the PIC 

proficiency check required by 14 CFR § 61.58.

16. Each CE-500 series airplane operated under this exemption must have the following 

equipment installed and operational:
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a. An autopilot with approach coupling capability;

b. A flight director system;

c. A boom microphone; and

d. A transponder “ident” switch on the pilot’s control wheel.

17. Each person must carry a copy of this exemption and a record from SimCom 

documenting compliance with its training and checking conditions aboard the airplane 

when he or she is operating under the terms of this exemption.

18. Upon request, SimCom must provide any representative of the FAA Administrator 

with an analysis of training and checking operations conducted under this exemption 

with respect to program failure rates, extra training time required, accident and 

incident data, and any known problem areas.

19. SimCom must maintain records and make them available, when requested, to any 

representative of the FAA Administrator. These records must include all information 

required by § 142.73 anda. The dates of training enrollment and completion for each trainee who enrolls in 

a SimCom single pilot curriculum;

b. The name and number of additional training hours needed by any person who 

requires more flight training than prescribed in the FAA-approved curriculum 

in order to pas the initial authorization or authorization renewal;

c. The name of each pilot who faile to complete a Cessna CE-500 single pilot 

curriculum satisfactorily or withdrew from the course and the reason(s) for 

withdrawal; and

d. The name, certificate number, and address of each person who is authorized to 

operate under this exemption.

20. No person may provide training nor may any person receive training while passengers 

are aboard any aircraft operating for the purpose of meeting the training or checking 

requirements of this exemption.

21. This exemption is valid only for aircraft configured for operation by a single pilot 

seated in the left pilot seat. The privileges of this exemption are prohibited for any 

aircraft with the landing gear lever positioned anywhere to the right of the center of 

the aircraft.
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22. The approved training curriculum authorized by this exemption may not be conducted 

under any business name other than SimCom International, Inc. dba SimCom Aviation 

Training Orlando.

23. This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States.

24. The FAA reserves the right to withdraw this grant of exemption at any time if the 

Administrator determines that SimCom has failed to adhere to the conditions and 

limitations detailed in this exemption.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 7487, as amended, to October 

31, 2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan

Director, Flight Standards Service