AFS-12-018-E February 3, 2012

Exemption No. 10445 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2011-1102

Ms. Kerensa P. Moore Maintenance Compliance Technician Air Methods Corporation

7301 South Peoria Street Englewood, CO 80112

Dear Ms. Moore:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption and explains the basis and conditions for the exemption.

By letter dated October 6, 2011, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Air Methods Corporati on (Air Methods), for an exemption from § 43.3(g) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). This exemption, if granted, would allow Air Methods’ properly tr ained pilots (under an approved training program) to perform updates of navigational data systems configured with a data loader permanently installed on the flight deck, as described below.

Air Methods holds a part 135 operating certificate and provides air medical emergency transportation services with a fleet of 320 medically equipped aircraft, mainlyhelicopters. Air Methods is the largest provider of emergency medical airtransportation services in the U.S. and contracts with hospitals in 30 states to transport critically ill patients to trauma centers or tertiary care facilities. Air Methods seeks relief from § 43.3(g), and part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32), which categorizes aspreventive maintenance the updating of “self-contained, front instrument panelmounted Air Traffic Control (ATC) navigational software data bases (excluding those of automatic flight control systems, transponders, and microwave frequency distance measuring equipment (DME)) provided no disassembly of the unit is required (hereafter “navigational database”)”.2

Upon review of the petition, we noted that Ai r Methods did not request exemption from § 135.443(b)(3), or part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32). In a prior exemption issued to NetJets, Exemption No. 10286A, we granted exemption to § 135.443(b)(3) which requires that the operator have the maintenance provider sign the airworthiness release and/or record performance of the update in the maintenance log. Relief from this requirement is needed in addition to exemption from § 43.3(g). In the second case, part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32) categorizes the type of equipment for which the exemption would apply as preventive maintenance. We are amending the petition to include a request for exemption from both part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32), and § 135.443(b)(3) in order for this exemption to Air Methods to provide effective relief.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Air Methods.

The Basis for Our Decision

We have reviewed this petition and determined that Air Methods has demonstrated a public interest that justifies exemption from the stated regulations. Air Methods conducts operations almost exclusively for medical emergencies. Some medical emergencies take place in remote areas or away from airports such that the Petitioner's aircraft may arrive at the scene while the database is current, but by the time flight is initiated to return to the medical center the database may have expired, which would require the pilot to fly an indirect route at the cost of critical time to the patient. In all emergency medical flights, time is of the essence. For this reason, we conclude that granting exemption to Air Methods for the relief sought is in the public interest.

In the exemption issued to NetJets, Exemption No. 10286, the FAA concluded that technology has sufficiently simplified the process of updating navigational databases to allow pilots to perform the updates and still maintain the equivalent level of safety achieved under current regulations that require a certificated mechanic to perform the task. Using current technology, database load ing of front panel and pedestal mounted navigational systems does not require special training, tools, special access, or removal of the system. Further, most navigational systems perform automatic update verification. Properly trained pilots can readily load the current software databases and confirm the upload was successful. If the upload is unsuccessful, as indicated by automated report, minimum equipment list procedures exist to safely operate the aircraft with an inoperative navigational system to the closest next place where the updating can be performed.

As a condition to the NetJets exemptions, we required that pilots must include a record of each update in the maintenance log providing the name of the person performing the upload, the date of the upload, the database revision number uploaded, and the aircraft location at the time of the upload, which is similar to current requirements for3

certificated mechanics performing uploads. This exemption to Air Methods is similar to that of NetJets in that it grants relie f from §§ 43.3(g), part 43 Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32), and 135.443(b)(3), and is contingent upon the pilot’s compliance with the condition to record all updates in the maintenance logbook.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 conducting medical emergency operations is in the public interest,

 for the reasons stated by the FAA in granting the attached Grants of Exemption Nos. 10286 and 10286A, an equivalent level of safety will exist as that provided by regulation.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 40113 and 44701(f), which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Air Methods Corporation an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 43.3(g), part 43, Appendix A, paragraph (c)(32), and 135.443(b)(3), to the extent necessary to allow its properly trained pilots (under an approved training program) to accomplish updates of navigational software database updating, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. Pilots will be trained on all specific makes and models or navigational system databases meeting the description above to which they will be uploading navigational software data bases. Training on one make and model will not enable the pilot to update databases in other makes and

models.

2. Upon successful completion of training, each pilot will be authorized, in writing, by the director of maintenance or authorized designee to perform navigational software database uploads on systems for which he or she has received training.

3. The software being uploaded cannot cont ain system operating software. The upload must include the navigational database only. The director of maintenance is responsible for ensuring the software being uploaded does not contain operating system software.

4. Air Methods must have written procedures available to the pilot to perform the task and to evaluate the accomplishment of the task, including those tasks that require a decision concerning the airworthiness of the aircraft.

5. Maintenance log entries must be made each time the task is completed including the name of the person performing the upload, the date of the upload, the database revision number uploaded, and the aircraft location at the time of upload.4

6. This grant of exemption from § 43.3(g) applies only to uploading navigational software databases, as provided by Appendix A to part 43, paragraph (c)(32), using a data loader that is permanently installed in the flight deck. It does not extend to other preventive maintenance tasks identified in Appendix A to part 43.

This exemption terminates on February 28, 2014, unless sooner superseded or

rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John M. Allen Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures