AFS-12-166-E February 10 ,2012

Exemption No. 8255E Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-16491

Colonel Deborah A. Richardson Department of the Army Headquarters, U.S. Army Aeronautical Services Agency 9325 Gunston Road, Bldg. 1466, Suite N319 Fort Belvoir, VA 22060

Dear Colonel Richardson:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 8255, as amended. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions

and limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated January 13, 2012, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Adm inistration (FAA) on behalf of the Department of the Army, 2 nd Battalion, 75 th Ranger Regiment (2 nd /75 th ) for an extension of Exemption No. 8255, as amended. That exemption from § 105.19(a) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows 2 nd /75 th to conduct certain night, unlighted parachute operations, outside special use airspace at Fort Lewis, Washington, at an altitude of 800 feet above ground level (AGL).

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 2 nd /75 th

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Our Decision

The FAA has determ ined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 8255, as amended, remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition, subject to the following conditions

and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption is limited to night parachute, combat readiness, training exercises

of the 2 nd /75 th located at Fort Lewis, Washington, conducted in the areas known as the Roger's Drop Zone, the center having a lat/long of 47.00.98N, 122.27.42W.

2. Each airborne training operation:

a. Must be: (i) Conducted in a flight of two or more aircraft with a dedicated observer aboard each aircraft with the sole duty as an aerial observer; or

(ii) Escorted by an aircraft serving as an observation platform dedicated to surveillance for nonparticipating traffic in the event the training operation only consists of a single jump aircraft.

b. In addition to the aerial observation, the operation must be conducted with personnel on the ground at the drop zone to conduct surveillance for potential conflicts with nonparticipating aircraft (ground observers).

c. The operation must be conducted in such a manner as to enable the aerial and ground observers to survey fully about for nonparticipating traffic and relay the findings to all participants so operations may be terminated while nonparticipating traffic is in the area.

3. Traffic notifications from the observers shall provide the flightcrews with information about the position, direction of flight, and speed of the observed nonparticipating traffic.

4. When nonparticipating traffic is in the area, the training exercise and parachute operations shall be terminated until the air traffic is no longer in the area.

5. Unlighted parachute operations may not be conducted above 1,500 feet AGL and must be contained within the boundaries of the Rogers and Rogers West Drop Zones. This area must be established as an area of low air traffic, that does not infringe upon FAA-designated airspace areas, and has been coordinated with the appropriate FAA region's Air Traffic Di vision and Flight Standards Division

offices.3

6. Each pilot who will conduct operations for the 2 nd /75 th under this exemption must be thoroughly familiar with its provisions.

7. The holder shall advertise the approved training area to operators at all airports within 50 miles of the area 7 days preceding each use.

8. The holder shall provide notice through the use of Notice of Airmen (NOTAMs)/Special Notices disseminated at least 72 hours in advance of scheduled exercises. The training airspace will be identified by name (if applicable) and by latitude/longitude. The NOTAMs will advise that during the course of flight planning, potential users of the operational area will be provided with information on the time and place of the proposed unlighted parachute operations. The NOTAMs must be made available to the civil aviation community and must be capable of being disseminated among civil users of the National Airspace System.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the term ination date of Exemption No. 8255, as amended, to February 28, 2014, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan Acting Director, Flight Standards

Service