AIR-14-037-E

Exemption No. 11076

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON, DC 20591

 

In the matter of the petition of 

 

HARTZELL PROPELLER INC. Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2013-0982

 

for an exemption from § 45.13(a)(4)

of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations 

GRANT OF EXEMPTION

 By letter dated November 7, 2013, and supplemental information dated August 14, 2014 

Mr. Richard Edinger, VP Certification and Flight Safety, Hartzell Propeller Inc. (Hartzell),

One Propeller Place, Piqua, OH 45356-2634, petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) on behalf of Hartzell for an exemption from § 45.13(a)(4) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR). This exemption, if granted, would relieve Hartzell from the 

requirement to include the type certificate (TC) number as part of the identification marks on 

the propeller blades it manufactures.

The petitioner requires relief from the following regulations:

Section 45.11(c)(2) prescribes that:

Propellers and propeller blades and hubs. Each person who produces a propeller, 

propeller blade, or propeller hub under a type certificate or production certificate must 

mark each product or part using an approved fireproof method. The marking must—

(2) Contain the information specified in § 45.13;

Section 45.13(a)(4) prescribes that:

(a) The identification required by § 45.11(a) through (c) must include the following 

information:

(4) Type certificate number, if any.
2

The petitioner supports its request with the following information:

The petitioner states that it manufactures a wide variety of propeller models that fit numerous 

and identical blade models. Hartzell makes 12 different kinds of blade series and each blade 

series can have multiple associated TCs. Hartzell notes that all but 3 of its 56 type-certificated 

propellers specify propeller blades that fit multiple propellers. The petitioner further states 

that current regulations require it to mark each TC number on the propeller blade and that 

there are instances when there is not enough room to include all TC numbers on the blade. 

The petitioner believes that a grant of exemption will be in the public interest because it 

would alleviate confusion experienced by the flying public. The petitioner believes that 

marking all TC numbers on its propeller blades will introduce confusion as to the eligibility of 

previously shipped blades that are being used in service without the TC numbers stamped 

onto the propeller blade butt. Additionally, the petitioner believes that as the number of 

eligible TC numbers for a specific blade design will increase over time, these numbers will 

not be listed on previously manufactured blades. Accordingly, the petitioner believes that 

these circumstances can cause three distinct variations of propeller blade markings (no TC 

number, some TC numbers, and all TC numbers) and that these variations will cause

confusion with respect to the installation eligibility of propeller blades.

A summary of the petition was published in the Federal Register on January 16, 2014 

(79 FR 2929) and no comments were received.

The FAA’s analysis is as follows:

The FAA has reviewed Hartzell’s petition, supporting information, and additional 

information, and after careful consideration, we find a grant of exemption would provide an 

equivalent level of safety to the regulations for which relief is required and would be in the 

public interest. 

The FAA finds that an equivalent level of safety to the marking requirements of 

§§ 45.11(c)(2) and 45.13(a)(4) will be provided when the petitioner marks its blades subject 

to the conditions and limitations set forth in this exemption. Compliance with these 

conditions and limitations will provide the installer with sufficient information to ensure that 

it has the correct article for installation and for the FAA to fulfill its oversight and continued 

operational safety obligations. For those blades that can be installed on more than one 

propeller, Hartzell may place the term “multiple” in lieu of the applicable TC numbers. The 

use of the term “multiple” in lieu of marking the blades with the applicable TC numbers is an 

alternative to meeting the requirements of §§ 45.11(c)(2) and 45.13(a)(4). Hartzell may still 

choose to mark the individual blades with all applicable TC numbers. 

The FAA’s Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701, 

delegated to me by the Administrator, Hartzell Propeller Inc.(Hartzell) is granted an 
3

exemption from 14 CFR §§ 45.11(c)(2) and 45.13(a)(4) to the extent necessary to permit 

Hartzell to not include all applicable TC numbers as part of the identification marks on the 

propeller blades it manufactures, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. All of the information specified in § 45.13(a) must continue to be placed on propeller 

blades for which only one type certificate (TC) is applicable.

2. For propeller blades for which more than one TC is applicable, the term “multiple” 

may be marked on the blade in lieu of the applicable TC numbers.

This exemption terminates on October 31, 2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Issued in Washington, D.C., on October 6, 2014.

Sincerely,

/s/

Frank P. Paskiewicz

Deputy Director, Aircraft Certification Service