AFS

- 1 4

- 111

- E February 12, 2014

Exemption No. 10941 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 2011

- 0096

Mr. Lee Soltani

16 Blue Pt. Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Mr. Soltani :

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

, dated July 10, 20 13

, you petitioned the Federal Aviation A dministratio n (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

, although you are hearing impaired and unable to communicate through speech

.

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

act ing on this petition would be detrimental to you.

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 No

. 10221 (copy enclosed), the FAA found 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 and employ people wi th disabilities in jobs that they are capable of performing.2

Having reviewed your reasons for reque sting an exemption, I find that they do not differ materially from th ose presented by the petitioner in the enclosed grant of exemption . The

reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed exemption also applies to the situation you present, and a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701
, which the FAA

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mr. Lee Soltani 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 communicate

thr ough speech , subject to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. Mr. Soltani must m eet all the other portions of 14 CFR § 65.71(a)(2) and show his ability to read, write, and understand the English language.

2. Mr. Soltani must co mply with the provisions of 14 CFR § 65 .79 by using an interpreter who will remain neutral in delivery of technical test content as delivered, interpreted, and as responded to by applicant.

3. There are s ome duties that a certificated A ir frame and P owe rplant (A&P) mechanic may perform that require a person to be able to speak and hear. A typical example of such a duty is the run

- up and taxiing of an aircraft. An A&P mechanic

, performing these duties

,

s hould be able to speak and hear; therefore, Mr. So ltani should not perform these tasks because of safety concerns.

4. This exemption letter must be attached to FAA Form 8610

- 2

, Airman Certification

and /or Rating Application

.
5. This 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 e xaminer reviewing

Form 8610

- 2 must ensure this is completed prior to the i ssuance of a temporary

c ertificate

.

6. The temporary c erti ficate

, FAA Form 8060

- 4

, must contain this exemption number in

B lock XII of the form

, as provided to AFS

- 760

, Airman Certification Branch

. A ny limitation in the grant letter should be sent to the Department of Transportation, F ederal

A viation A dministration, Airman Certific ation Branch (AFS

- 760)

, Registry Building

, 6425 South Denning Road, Oklahoma City

, Oklahoma 73169

.

7. Mr. Soltani must provide a copy of th is exemption

, if request ed

, to the airman’s employer, a ny potential emplo yer, and any FAA safety i nspector in the performance of

their duties.3

8. Questions about Mr . Soltani’s knowledge

, skill testing

, or recording process for airman

certification files should be directed to the Flight Standards Service Regulatory Support

Division in Oklahoma City or the Flight Standards Service Aircraft Maintenance

Division in Washi ngton

, D.C.

This exemption terminates on February 28 , 2016 unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosure