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July 17, 2012 Exemption No. 10587 Regulatory

Docket No. FAA
- 2012
- 0393
Mr. Robert A. Stewart 1907 Azure Drive Dothan AL 36303 Dear Mr. Stewart : This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. **The Basis for Our Decision** By letter received May

22 , 2012 , yo u petitioned the Federal Aviation A dministration (FAA) for an exemption from § 65.71(a)(2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
. This exemption would allow you to be eligible for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings althoug h you are hearing
- impaired and unable to speak the English language. The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register
. T he requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in a cting on this petition would be detrimental to yo u. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petiti on. In Grant of Exemption Nos
. 6015, 6840 and 8324 (copies enclosed), the FAA fo und there are many aviation tasks that a person with hearing and speech impairments can perform without creating unsafe situations. The FAA determined that such disabilities may not present a safety hazard and that it is in the public interest to train an d employ people with disabilities in jobs that they are capable of performing. Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

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 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant of Exempti on Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324 ;  the reasons stated by

the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324 also apply to the situation you present; and  for the reasons stated i n Grant of Exemption Nos. 6015, 6840 and 8324 a grant of exemption is in the public interest. **Our Decision** Under the authority

contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 40113 and 44701 **,** which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mr. Robert Allen Stewart an exemption from 14 CFR § 65.71(a )(2) to the extent necessary to allow him to be eligible for a mechanic certificate and associated ratings although he is hearing impaired and unable to speak the English language , subject to the conditions and limitations described below. **Conditions and Limitations** 1. Mr. St ewart must meet all the other portions of § 65.71(a)(2) and show his ability to read, write, and understand the English language. 2. Mr. Stewart must co mply with the provisions of § 65 .79 by using an interpreter who will remain neutral in delivery of technica l test content as delivered, interpreted, and as responded to by applicant. 3. There are some duties that a certificated aircraft and powerplant mechanic may perform that require a person to be able to speak and hear. A ty pical example of such a duty

is the run - up and taxiing of an aircraft. An airframe and powerplant mechanic performing these duties s hould be able to speak and hear, therefore, Mr. Stewart should not perform these tasks because of safety concerns. 4. The exemption letter must be attached to FAA Form 8610
- 2 , Airman Certification and /or Rating Application
. 5. The exemption number and expiration date must be r ecord ed in the remarks section on FAA Form 8610
- 2
. The FAA inspector or the Designated Mechanic Examiner reviewing Form 8610
- 2 must ensure this is completed prior to the i ssuance of a temporary

c ertificate
. 6. The temporary

certi ficate , FAA Form 8060
- 4 , must contain the exemption number in B lock XI I of the form as provided to AFS
- 760 , Airman Certification Branch an d any limitation in the grant letter to DOT/ FAA , Airman Certific ation Branch, Registry Building ( AFS
- 760 ), 6425 South Denning Road, Oklahoma City , OK 73169
. 7. Mr. Stewart must provide a copy of the exemption , if request ed , to the airman’s employ er, a potential employer, and any FAA Safety

Inspector in the performance of their duties.3

8. Questions about Mr. Stewart’ s knowledge , skill testing , or recording process for airman certification files should be directed to AFS
- 640 in Oklahoma City , or AFS
- 350 in Washington D.C. This exemption terminate s on Ju ly 31 , 2014 unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Sincerely , /s/ Ray mond Towles Acting Director, Flight Standards Service Enclosures