& . Diivi dMcDonal d

Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc . v p Operation s
February 17,201 2 U.S . Departmen t

o f Transportatio n - Docke t Managemen t

Syste m- ^ : • 40 0 T" * Stree t

S W;; j > 0 Roo mP L40 1 -:' 3 Washington , D C 20591-000 1 " ^ ^" ^ Attentio n Transpor t

Airplan e Directorat e RE : Reques t

Fo r Exemptio nFro mFA R25.81 3 Fo r Freighte r Aircraf t T o Who mIt

Ma y Concern , Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc . (AEI) , 776 5 N W54*' ' Street , Miami , FL , 33166 , petition s th e Federal Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) for a nexemptio nfrom§25.813(b ) o f Title 1 4 Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s (1 4 CFR ) for McDonnel l Dougla s Mode l MD-8 0 serie s (-81,-82,-83 , & - 88 ) an dMD-9 0 serie s passenge r airplane s converte dt o freighter airplane s (MD-80S Fan dMD

90SF , respectively) . AE I ha s previousl y requeste dexemption s fromcertai nFAR s for th e purpos e o f

carryin g supernumerarie s upo naircraf t converte dt o freighter

configuratio nb y AEI Supplementa l typ e Certificate . Se e Exemptio nNo . 10358 . Th e petitioDe r

request s relie f

fro mth e followin g regulation : Sectio n25.813(b) , Amendmen t 25-88 , require s that

eac hemergenc y exi t

addresse db y §25.810(a ) hav e adjacen t

assis t space . Supportin g information : AE I hold s numerou s Supplementa l Typ e Certificate s for modificatio no f

transport aircraft . AE I hold s ST C ST01827L A whic hallow s conversio no f Boein g 737-300/40 0 aircraf t t o afreighter

withaClas s Emai n dec k carg o compartment . A similar Exemptio nha s bee n approve dfor

th e B73 7 converte dfreighter; se e Exemptio n9722 . AE I i s developin g asimilar freighter conversio n ST C for

th e MD-8 0 an dMD-9 0 serie s aircraft . Som e operator s o f AE I freighter s nee dt o b e abl e t o carry supernumerarie s t o assis t withspecia l carg o suc has : (i ) valuabl e carg o requirin g security ; (ii ) perishabl e cargo ; (iii ) fragile cargo ; or , (iv ) liv e carg o requirin g specia l attentio n before , during , o r after loadin g t o ensur e it s saf e delivery . Th e interes t o f th e petitione r

i s i n providin g aleve l o f safet y for th e crew , supernumeraries , carg o an daircraf t that wil l allo w operator s o f

AE I converte dMD-80/9 0 freighters t o mee t th e need s o f

thei r clientele . 776 5 Northwes t 54'^ ' Stree t Phon e 305-594.580 2 v/ww.aeronautical-engineers.co m Miami , Florid a 3316 6 U.S.A . Fa x305.594.580 4 dmm@aeronaytical-engineers.co m& > Davi d McDonal d

Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc , ^' P Operation s 1 . Pe r

th e revision s o f

Sectio n 121.58 3 coverin g th e person s that may b e carrie do nthi s airplane , al l person s wil l hav e specia l training , includin g prope r method s for

egres s fromth e airplane , us e o f

emergenc y equipment , an dflight operation s associate dwithcontrollin g fires in Clas s Ecarg o compartment . 2 . Limitation s wil l b e impose do nth e aircraf t operato r t o findthat

al l occupant s ar e physicall y abl e t o us e th e escap e mean s provided . 3 . Ther e ar e n o flight attendant s wh o woul dnormall y utiliz e th e require dassis t space . Therefore , th e lac k

o f assis t spac e adjacen t

t o th e emergenc y exit s wil l no t lowe r th e leve l o f safety ina

nemergenc y egres s situation . Reques t fo r AVaive r o f Publi c Commen t AE I request s waive r

o f th e normal publi c commen t proces s sinc e thi s reques t i s substantiall y simila r

t o thos e alread y grante dt o othe r freighte r ST C holder s an dbecaus e th e granfin g o f

thi s pefifio n v^l l no t

creat e ne w precedent . Se e e.g . Exemptio nNo . 824 8 Publi c Interes t Th e carriag e o f

a n appropriat e numbe r

o f attendant s aboar da

naircraf t t o monito r

an dt o atten dt o th e specia l requirement s o f valuable , fragile , perishable , o r liv e anima l cargo , serve s th e publi c interes t

i n raisin g th e leve l o f

safety o f th e cargo , th e airplane , th e flight crew , an d consequently , th e publi c in general . In addition , thes e exemption s wil l enhanc e th e utility o f th e aircraf t thereb y helpin g t o reduc e shippin g costs , whic hwil l inturnb e inth e publi c interest . Thi s exemption , therefore , serve s th e publi c interes t for safet y reason s an dals o for increase dairfreigh t

utility , bot

hdomesticall y an dinternationall y an dconsisten t commercia l operation s amon g al l AE I freighter operators . AEI respectfull y request s that thi s petitio nb e granted .

Sincerely , Davi dM . McDonal d V POperation s

776 5 Northwes t 54^*

^ Stree t Phon e 305,594.580 2 www.aeronautical-engineers.co m Miami , Florid a 3316 6 U.S.A . Fo x305.594.580 4 dmm@aeronautical-engineers.co mExemptio nNo . 1035 8 UNITE D STATE S O FAMERIC A DEPARTMEN T O FTRANSPORTATIO N FEDERA LAVIATIO NADMINISTRATIO N RENTON , WASHINGTO N 98057-335 6

In th e matte r

o f th e petitio n o f Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc . for a nexemptio n from§ § 25.785(j) , 25.812(e) , 25.855(a) , 25.857(e) , 25.1447(c)(1) , an d25.144 9 o f Titl e 14 . Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s Regulator y Docke t No . FAA-2010-n8 1

PARTIA LGRAN T O FEXEMPTIO N B y lette r date dMa y 10 , 2011 , Mr . Davi dMcDonald , VP , Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc . (AEI) , 776 5 N W54^

^ Street , Miami , FL , 33166 , petitione dth e Federa l Aviatio nAdministratio n(FAA ) for anexemptio n from§ § 25.785(j) , 25.812(e) , 25.855(a) , 25.857(e) , 25.1447(c)(1) , an d25.144 9 o f Title 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulation s (1 4 CFR ) for Boein g Mode l DC-9-8 1 (MD-81) , DC-9

- 8 2 (MD-82) , DC~9-8 3 (MD-83) , DC-9-8 7 (MD-87) , MD-88 , an dMD-90-3 0 serie s passenge r airplane s converte dt o freighter airplanes . Th e propose dexemption , i f granted , woul dallo w carriag e o f

si x non-crewmember s (commonl y referre dt o a s supernumeraries ) i na nare ajus t

af t of , an doutside , th e fligh t

dec k o n thes e freighter

airplanes . Th e maximu moccupanc y for thes e freighter airplane s i s nin e persons , includin g th e flightcrew an dth e observer . Th e petitione r

request s relie f

fro mth e followin g regulations : Sectio n 25.785(j) , at

Amendmen t

25-88 , require s handhold s t o enabl e passenger s t o stead y themselve s whe n movin g abou t th e cabin , inth e even t

th e airplan e encounter s moderatel y roug hair . Sectio n 25.812(e) , a

t Amendmen t

25-116 , require s tha t

floor-proximity, emergency escape-pathmarking s mus t provid e emergency-evacuatio nguidanc e for passengers . Sectio n 25.855(a) , a

t Amendmen t

25-116 , require s tha t

carg o compartment s mus t mee t on e o f th e clas s requirement s o f §25.857 .Sectio n 25.8S7(e) , a t Amendmen t

25-93 , require s that , whe naClas s Ecarg o compartmen t

i s installe do n th e airplane , th e airplan e b e use dfo r carriag e o f

carg o only . Sectio n 25.1447(c)(1) , at Amendmen t

25-116 , require s that

oxygen-dispensin g unit s mus t b e automaticall y presente dt o th e occupant s befor e th e cabi naltitud e exceed s 15»00 0 feet . Th e tota l numbe r

o f dispensm g unit s an doutlet s mus t excee dth e numbe r

o f seat s b y a

t leas t 1 0 percent . Th e extr aunit s mus t b e uniforml y distribute dthroughou t th e cabi n a s practicable , an dtw o oxyge n mask s mus t b e locate di neac hlavatory . Sectio n 25.144 9 require s tha t th e cre w i s abl e t o determin e that oxyge ni s bein g delivere d t o th e dispensin g imit . Relate dsection s o f

1 4 CFR : Sectio n 121.583(a ) contain s alistin g o f categorie s o f

person s wh o ma y b e carrie daboar d a n airplan e i n par t

12 1 servic e withou t

complyin g wit hal l o f

th e requirement s o f

par t 12 1 pertainin g t o carriag e o f

passengers . Sectio n121.54 7 contain s alistin g o f categorie s o f

person s wh o ma y b e admitte dt o th e fligh t dec k durin g operation . Th e petitione r

support s it s reques t

wit hth e followin g information : Thi s sectio n quote s th e relevan t informatio nfromth e petitioner' s request . Th e complet e petitio n ^ i s availabl e at th e Departmen t

o f Transportation' s Federa l Docke t Managemen t

System , o n th e hiteme t at http://regulations.gov , i n Docke t No . FAA-2010-1181 . § 25.785(j) , Amendmen t 25-88 , require s ther e t o b e afir mhandgri p o r

rai l for person s usin g th e aisle s durin g moderatel y roug hflight. Th e exemptio nfrom § 25.785(j ) i s necessar y a s han dhold s ar e no t availabl e i nthi s area . I naddition , th e supernumerary seat s wil l b e adjacen t

t o th e emergenc y exi t

door s (L I an dRl) , s o handhold s ar e no t necessary . § 25.812(e) , Amendmen t 25-116 , require s floor

proximit y emergenc y escap e path lighting . Th e exemptio n from § 25.812(e ) wil l allo w traine dsupemimierarie s t o occup y th e Supernumerar y Are adiunn g taxi , takeoff , flight, an dlanding . Thi s are ai s i nth e immediat e proximit y o f

th e forwar demergenc y exits . Smc e th e supemimierarie s wil l b e traine do n emergenc y procedures , includin g emergenc y egress , an dimmediatel y adjacen t t o th e cxitSy th e lac k

o f additiona l lightin g wil l no t adversel y affec t

safety . § 25.855(a) , Amendmen t 25-116 , require s that

carg o compartment s mus t mee t on e o f th e clas s requirement s o f

§ 25.857 . AEI' s conversio nresult s i nth e mai ndec k bein g classifie d a s aClas s Ecarg o compartment . Exemptio nfrom1 4 CF R25.855(a ) i s requeste da s thi s CF Rrequire s an y carg o compartmen t t o compl y wit hadesignate dclassificatio no f § 25.85 7 whic hwoul dexclud e th e carriag e o f supernumerarie s i nth e are aforwardo f th e9 Gbulkhead . Th e 9 Gbulkhea dals o frinctions a s asmok e barrie r betwee nth e mai n carg o compartmen t

an dth e Supernumerar y Are aan dcockpit . § 25.857(e) . Amendmen t 25-93 , define s th e attribute s o f aClas s Ecarg o compartment , an dmandate s tha t

aClas s Ecarg o compartmen t ma y no t b e o nan y airplan e othe r tha n on e utilize dexclusivel y for th e carriag e o f

cargo . Th e exemptio nfrom § 25.857(e ) wil l allo w for u p t o [6 ] supernumerarie s o nth e afrcraf t wh o ar e otherwis e prohibite dfrom bein g presen t

o n an aircraf

t withaClas s Ecarg o compartment . § 25.1447(c)(1) , Amendmen t 25-116 , requfres , i npertmen t part , that oxyge nmask s mus t b e inunediatel y availabl e t o eac hseate doccupant , b e automaticall y deploye dwit hmanua l backup , an dexcee di n numbe r th e quantit y o f

seat s b y te npercent , wit hth e extr aunit s distribute devenl y throughou t th e cabm . Th e exemptio nfrom § 25.1447(c)(1 ) wil l mandat e a nequivalen t

leve l o f safety for

supernumerarie s i nth e Supernumerar y Are ab y requirin g portabl e oxyge n bottle s that wil l b e mounte dwithi nreac ho f th e supemimierarie s whil e i n thei r seats . Thes e bottle s wil l mee t th e requirement s o f § 25.1447(c)(1) , excludin g th e requiremen t that th e numbe r

o f oxyge nunit s mus t

excee d th e numbe r

o f seat s b y a

t leas t te npercent . Smc e th e supernumerarie s wil l b e traine di n emergenc y procedure s an dwil l b e withi nreac ho f aportabl e oxyge nbottl e at al l times , an equivalen t

leve l o f safety i s maintaine dwithou t havin g a nadditiona l 1 0 percen t

suppl y cushion . Al l feature s o f

th e Clas s Ecarg o compartmen t require db y § 25.85 5 an d§ 25.85 7 wil l b e retaine dan dal l safety requirement s o f par t 25 , a s define db y th e certificatio n basi s o f

th e airplan e i nTyp e Certificat e Dat aShee t (TCDS ) A6WE , wil l b e complie dwith . § 25.1447(c)(1 ) als o require s tw o sel f presentin g oxyge nmask s i neac h lavatory . Th e AE I MD-80SF/MD-90S Fwil l no t hav e apermanentl y enclose dlavatory , s o thi s requiremen t

i s inapplicable . § 25.144 9 require s that

th e pilot s b e abl e t o determin e ther e i s oxyge nbein g delivere dt o th e dispensin g unit . T o th e exten t tha t § 25.144 9 require s th e cre w t o b e abl e t o determin e i f oxyge n i s bein g provide dt o th e portabl e bottle s bein g utilize db y th e supernumeraries , AE I als o seek s exemptio n fromcomplianc e wit hthi s CF Ra s i t i s technicall y an d commerciall y infeasibl e t o compl y withth e requirement s o f § 25.1449 . Supemumerarie s wil l b e traine dt o confirmoxyge nflow usin g th e equipmen t provided . AE I hold s numerou s Supplementa l Typ e Certificate s for modificatio no f

transpor t au-craft . AE I hold s ST C STO l 827L A whic hallow s conversio no f Boem g 737-300/40 0 aircraf t t o afreighter

wit haClas s Emai ndec k carg o compartment . A similar Exemptio n ha s bee n approve dfor

th e B73 7 converte dfreighter; se e Exemptio n9722 . AE I i s developin g asimila r

freighter conversio nST C for

th e MD-8 0 an dMD-9 0 serie s aircraft . Som e operator s o f

AE I fireighters nee dt o b e abl e t o carr y supernumerarie s t o assis t wit h specia l cargo , suc ha s valuabl e carg o requhin g securit y and/o r perishable , fragile, o r

liv e carg o requirin g specia l attentio nt o ensur e it s saf e delivery . Th e interes t

o f th e petitione r i s i n providin g aleve l o f safety for

th e crew , supemumeraries , carg o an daircraf t tha t wil l allo w operator s o f

AE I converte dMD-80/9 0 freighters t o mee t th e need s o f

thei r clientele .Th e FAA-approve dAircraf t Fligh t Manua l (AFM ) wil l contai nasupplemen t wit hth e operatin g limitatio n restrictin g th e carriag e o f occupant s accommodate dt o thos e define d b y § 121.58 3 wh o hav e bee n traine dfor suc hduties . I naddition , a nFAA-approve d trainin g pla n wil l b e initiate dt o instmc t th e supemumerarie s inth e prohibitio nagains t smoking , an dprocedure s mequipmen t us e relatin g t o fire suppression , ditching , an d emergenc y evacuation . I n addition , th e Supernumerary Are awil l mee t th e followin g safety requirements : A n automaticall y activate dvisua l an daura l decompressio nsigna l immediatel y recognizabl e throughou t th e cabi nare awil l b e provide dt o automaticall y notif y supemumerarie s whe n t o do noxygen . Fligh t cre w activated , lighted , "Faste n Seat Belt " sign s wil l b e provide dtha t ar e visibl e t o th e supemumerarie s whil e i nth e supernumerar y are at o wa mth e supemumerarie s t o retur nt o thei r seat s an dfaste n seatbelts . A standar daircraf t intercom/publi c addres s (PA ) syste mwil l b e retaine dan d th e P A syste mwil l b e audibl e withi nth e Supernumerary Area . Two-wa y communicatio n fromth e supernumerar y seatin g are at o th e flight dec k wil l b e provide db y mean s o f a flight phon e installe dwithi n reac ho f a t leas t on e o f th e supernumerar y seats . Finally , th e followin g placard s wil l b e provided :

• N o Smokin g Signs ;

• Externa l Doo r

Operatin g Instmctions ;

• Emergenc y Slid e o r

Rop e Operatin g Instructions ;

• Externa l Doo r

Exi t Marking ;

• Warnin g requfrin g th e smok e barrie r doo r t o remai nclose ddurin g flight, and ;

• Warnin g prohibitin g person s i nth e Clas s Ecompartmen t durin g flight. Reques t fo r Waive r o f Publi c Commen t AE I request s waive r

o f th e norma l publi c commen t proces s sinc e thi s reques t i s substantiall y similar

t o thos e ahead y grante dt o othe r freighter ST C holder s an dbecaus e th e grantin g o f

thi s petitio n wil l no t

creat e ne w precedent . Publi c Interes t Th e carriag e o f

a n appropriat e numbe r

o f attendant s aboar da

naircraf t t o monito r

an dt o atten dt o th e specia l requirement s o f valuable , fragile, perishable , o r liv e anima l cargo , serve s th e publi c interes t i n raisin g th e leve l o f

safety o f th e cargo , th e airplane , th e flight crew , an dconsequently , th e publi c i ngeneral . I naddition , thes e exemption s wil l enhanc e th e utilit y o f

th e aircraf

t thereb y helpin g t o reduc e shippin g costs , whic hwil l i nturn b e i n th e publi c mterest .Thi s exemption , therefore , serve s th e publi c interes t for safety reason s an dals o fo r increase dairfreigh t

utility , bot hdomesticall y an dinternationall y an dconsisten t commercia l operation s amon g al l AE I fireighter operators . AE I respectfull y request s tha t thi s petitio nb e granted . Federa l Registe r

publicatio n Th e FA A ha s determine dtha t goo dcaus e exist s for

waivin g th e requiremen t for Federa l Registe r publicatio nbecaus e th e exemption , i f granted , woul dno t

se t aprecedent , an dan y delay i nactin g o nthi s petitio n woul db e detrimenta l t o Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc . Th e FAA' s analysi s Th e FA A consider s th e petitioner' s proposa l t o b e i nth e publi c mteres t for th e follov/in g reasons :

• Thes e supemumerarie s ar e see na s abenefi t t o airplan e safety an defficient operation s o f ai r cargo ;

• A significan t

dismptio n o f

ai r commerc e coul doccu r

i f th e petitio nwer e no t

granted ; an d

• Th e FA A ha s grante dsevera l exemption s for th e carriag e o f

supernumerarie s o nfreighter airplanes . Th e petitione r

ha s requeste drelie f

primaril y fromth e requirement s o f § 25.857(e) , whic hpermit s carriag e o f

onl y carg o whe n aClas s Ecarg o compartmen t i s installe do nth e airplane . Clas s E carg o compartment s ar e usuall y remot e fromth e flightdeck an dcompris e th e entir e interio r o f th e airplane . Th e mean s o f

controllin g fires that

migh t occu r i nth e carg o compartmen t i s t o starv e th e fire o f oxygen . Thi s i s accomplishe db y depressurizin g th e airplan e an dmaintainin g an altitud e tha t

wil l no t suppor t combustion . Fo r

thi s reason , onl y crewmember s ar e permitte do n boardsuc hairplanes . Th e petitione r i s requestin g tha t

supernumerarie s b e locate di nanare aaf t o f th e flightdeck. Th e certificatio n regulation s for transport-category airplane s addres s airplan e occupant s a s bein g eithe r "crew " o r

"passengers. " Du e t o difference s i ntraining , physica l capabilities , an dothe r factor s (sucha s familiarit y wit hth e airplane) , th e mean s require db y par t 2 5 t o addres s emergenc y evacuation , an demergenc y equipmen t for passenger s an dcrewmembers , differ . Becaus e supemumerarie s ar e no t crewmembers , the y mus t b e considere d"passengers " b y defaul t wit hrespec t

t o par t 25 . However , supemumerarie s d o hol daspecia l statu s becaus e o f thei r trainin g an dothe r

factors . Th e purpos e o f

th e handhold s requiremen t i n§ 25.785(j ) at

Amendmen t

25-88 , i s t o ensur e tha t occupant s hav e amean s t o stead y themselve s i nmoderatel y roug hai r whil e traversin g th e mai naisle s o f

typica l passenge r

airplanes . O nth e propose dairplane , a nacceptabl e leve l o f

safety wil l b e provide db y tiie flightcrew-activated, lighted , "Faste nSeat Belt " sign s an dth e "Retur nt o Seat " signag e in th e supernumerar y area . Thi s visual-alert syste menable s th e cre w t o indicate , a t th e onse t o f turbulence , that

supemumerarie s mus t

retur nt o thei r

seats . Th e visua l alert

mus t b e recognize din accessibl e area s o f th e airplan e an dindicate , durin g turbulence , tha t person s mus t retur nt o thei r

seats . Th e petitione r

requeste dan exemptio nfrom § 25.812(e) , a t Amendmen t

25-116 , requirin g floorproximity , emergency-escape-pathmarkin g i nth e passenge r area s o f th e airplane . Durin g th e evaluatio n o f

thi s petition , th e FA A determine dthat th e origina l certificatio nbasi s fo r th e Boein g Mode l DC-9-8 1 (MD-81) , DC-9-8 2 (MD-82) , DC-9-8 3 (MD-83) . DC-9-8 7 (MD-87) , an dMD

8 8 serie s airplane s di dno t includ e Amendmen t

25-58 , whic hcodifie dth e requirement s fo rfloorproximity , emergency-escape-pathmarking . Th e FA A determines , therefore , tha t anexemptio n t o thi s regulatio n i s no t

require dfor

thes e models . Th e MD-90-3 0 doe s mclud e § 25.812(e ) i nit s certificatio nbasis , an dbecaus e o f th e limite dare a af t o f th e flightdec k

an dit s immediat e proximit y t o th e forwardemergenc y exits , th e lac k o f th e floor-proximity, emergency-escape-pathmarkin g wil l no t adversel y impac t

th e safety o f

th e supemumeraries . Th e petitione r

ha s requeste da

n exemptio nfrom § 25.855(a) . Th e FA A ha s previousl y grante d exemption s for

carriag e o f

supernumeraries , i nadditio nt o cre w o nfreighter airplanes , provide d tha t certai nothe r

condition s ar e met . Thes e condition s hav e varied , dependin g o nth e airplan e desig n an dth e numbe r

o f supemumerarie s involved . Du e t o th e wa y tha t fire i nth e carg o compartmen t

i s t o b e controlled , it

i s necessar y t o limi t

supernumerarie s o nboar dth e airplan e t o thos e wh o hav e bee n foun dphysicall y fit b y th e operato r

an dhav e bee nbriefe do nth e us e o f emergenc y equipment . Thi s limitatio n o nth e supemumerarie s i s consisten t wit hpreviou s approval s an dwil l b e include di n thi s approval . Also , th e airplan e mus t b e equippe dwit hsuitabl e mean s o f preventin g smok e penetratio nint o occupie dareas . Th e petitioner' s desig naccount s for thi s b y providin g abarrier , consistin g o f asmok e barrie r

for th e supemumerarie s locate daf t o f th e fligh t deck , whic hmus t

compl y withth e smoke-penetratio nrequirement s o f § 25.855 . Th e FA A consider s that

th e supemumerarie s shouldhav e anoxyge nsyste mthat i s comparabl e t o tha t o f passengers . However , takin g int o accoun t th e extr aknowledg e an dtrainin g tha t thes e person s wiU have , i t

i s no t necessar y tha t

anequivalen t

syste mb e installed . Sectio n 25.1447(c)(1 ) require s automati c presentatio no f th e oxygen-dispensin g units . Fo r seate d passenger s in typica l passenge r airplanes , th e automati c presentatio no f mask s throughou t

th e cabi n indicate s th e nee dt o do n a n oxyge nmask . Supemumerarie s o nth e petitioner' s carg o airplane s wil l no t

hav e thi s indication . Fo r anacceptabl e leve l o f

safety t o b e provided , a n automaticall y activate daura l an dvisua l decompressio nsigna l mus t b e immediatel y recognizabl e throughou t

th e supernumerar y seatin g area . Operatio no f thi s signa l mus t

b e automatic , wit h flightcrew manua l actio n a s abackup . Supernumerarie s mus t b e traine dregardin g th e locatio n an dus e o f

th e oxyge n equipment , an dth e alert s tha t indicat e th e nee dt o do noxyge nequipment . Th e oxyge nunit s mus t

b e size dadequatel y for

continuou s an duninterrupte dus e durin g worst cas e flight

duratio n followin g decompression .Th e combinatio n o f th e aura l an dvisua l alert , alon g withth e supernumerar y training , compensat e for th e supernumerar y seating-are aoxyge nmask s no t bein g automaticall y presented . Sectio n 25.1447(c)(1 ) als o require s 1 0 percen t extr aoxyge nmasks . Th e intent i s that thes e mask s wil l b e use db y flight

attendant s o r

childre nsittin g o npassengers ' laps . Sinc e neithe r wil l b e on boar dth e airplane , installin g 1 0 percen t extr aoxyge nmask s i s no t required . Th e oxyge n unit s mus t

sti U mee t th e inten t

o f § 25.1449 , whic hstate s tha t th e airplan e mus t

b e equippe dwithamean s fo r th e cre w t o determin e whethe r oxyge ni s bein g delivere dt o th e dispensin g units . Th e FA A ha s determine dthat bothtrainin g th e supemumerarie s i nmakin g thi s determination , an dprovidin g oxyge n flow indicatio no nth e oxyge nequipment , woul db e acceptabl e mean s o f

compliance . Not e tha t thi s exemptio n doe s no t provid e relief

, beyon dthat

expficitl y stated , fromapplicabl e airworthines s requirements . Thi s exemptio ndiscusse s specifi c regulation s tha t mus t b e me t for approva l o f

th e propose ddesig n bu t

doe s no t discus s al l th e applicabl e regulations . Th e FAA' s decisio n I nconsideratio n o f

th e foregoing , I fin dtha t apartia l gran t

o f exemptio ni s i nth e publi c interest . Therefore , pursuan t

t o th e authorit y containe di n4 9 U.S.C . 4011 3 an d44701 , delegate dt o m e b y th e Administrator , Aeronautica l Engineers , Inc. , i s hereb y grante daexemptio nfirom 1 4 CF R25.785(j) , 25.812(e) , 25.855(a) , 25.857(e) , an d25.1447(c)(1 ) t o tiie exten t necessar y t o allo w typ e certificatio n o f Boein g Mode l DC-9-8 1 (MD-81) , DC-9-8 2 (MD-82) , DC-9-8 3 (MD

83) , DC-9-8 7 (MD-87) , MD-88 , an d2V^-90-3 0 serie s airplane s wit hprovision s for th e carriag e o f supemumeraries . Th e followin g condition s an dlimitation s apply , an dprocedure s relate dt o item s 1 throug h5 an d7 throug h9 , below , mus t b e documente dmth e Limitation s Sectio n o f th e Airplan e Fligh t

Manual : 1 . A maximu mo f

si x supemumerarie s ma y occup y th e are aaf t o f th e flight dec k an d forwardo f

th e 9 Gbulkhead . Th e tota l maximu moccupanc y o f th e airplan e i s limite dt o nin e persons , includin g th e flightcrew (two on-duty flightcre w members , on e observer , an du p t o si x off-duty flightcrew members , o r supemumeraries) . 2 . Th e supemumerarie s ar e limite dt o th e categorie s specifie di n§ § 121.583(a)(1 ) throug h121.583(a)(7) . 3 . Supemumerarie s ar e prohibite dfrombein g i nth e carg o are adurin g an y flight operation . Th e pre-fligh t

briefin g mus t

informsupemumerarie s o f thi s requirement . 4 . Prio r t o eac hfhght , aflightcrew membe r mus t brie f eac hsupernumerar y o nth e us e o f exits , includin g instruction s t o inspec t th e groun dt o determin e whethe r asaf e landin g ca n b e achieve dbefor e usin g an assis t mean s an demergenc y equipment . 5 . Th e operato r

mus t determin e tha t

eac hsupernumerar y i s physicall y abl e an dtraine dt o accomplis hth e necessar y emergenc y procedures .6 . Supemumerarie s Supplementa l Oxygen :

Location s an dUse : Supplementa l oxyge n equipmen t wit hamas k

connecte dt o i t

mus t b e locate ds o eac h occupan t ca n pu t o n th e mas k

an dactivat e oxyge nflow whil e seated . Desig n Requirements : a . Th e unit s mus t

provid e oxygen-flo w indication . b . Th e oxyge n unit s mus t b e size dadequatel y for

continuou s an dunintermpte dus e durin g worst-cas e flight

duratio nfollowin g decompression . 7 . Oxygen-uni t

Use : Th e supernumerarie s mus t b e traine di nth e us e o f

th e oxyge nunits . Th e supemumerarie s mus t als o b e traine di n makin g th e determinatio nwhethe r oxyge ni s bein g delivere dt o th e dispensin g units . 8 . Decompressio n Alert : A n automaticall y activate daiu'a l an dvisua l decompressio nalert mus t b e provide dan d immediatel y recognizabl e throughout4h e supernumerar y seatin g are at o notif y supemumerarie s whe n t o do n oxyge nmasks . Th e pre-fligh t briefin g mus t

includ e trainin g i nth e meanin g o f

th e alert , an dth e respons e t o th e alert (i.e. , procedure s for

donnin g th e mas k an dactivatm g th e flow o f oxygen) . 9 . Turbulenc e Alert : A flightcrew activate dvisua l alert , whic hi s recognize di nth e supernumerar y seatin g area , mus t b e installe dt o indicat e that , i nth e even t o f turbulence , o r

predicte dturbulence , person s mus t

retur n t o thei r

seats . Appropriat e procedure s an dlimitation s mus t b e establishe dt o ensur e that , at th e onse t o f turbulence , th e flightcrew alert s th e supemumerarie s t o retur n t o thei r seats . Th e pre-fligh t

briefin g mus t

explai nthes e alert s t o th e supemumeraries . 10 . Emergenc y Lightin g an dExits : Fo r th e exit s designate dfor

supernumerar y use , emergenc y lightin g mus t provid e adequat e illuminatio n a

t th e groun den do f

th e assis t means , wher e anevacue e woul d normall y mak e first

contac t wit hth e ground , wit hth e airplan e meac ho f th e attitude s correspondin g t o th e collaps e o f on e o r mor e leg s o f

th e landin g gear .11 . Placards :

Placard(s ) locate doutsid e o f th e carg o compartmen t

inaconspicuou s location , eithe r o n o r adjacen t t o th e smok e barrie r

door , mus t

indicat e th e following :

• D o no t

occup y th e Clas s Ecarg o compartment .

• Th e smok e barrie r

mus t b e secure d(i.e. , th e doo r mus t b e closed) .

• Smokin g i s no t

allowed . Th e pre-fligh t

briefin g mus t

informsupemumerarie s o f thes e requirements . 12 . Alertin g requirements :

• Mus t b e distinctiv e an deffective . Alert s mus t distinguis hbetwee ndecompressio n an dturbulence .

• Visua l alert s mus t

b e visibl e fromal l occupan t location s an dorientations , durin g al l expecte doperationa l conditions , includin g arapi ddecompressio nwher e moistur e i n th e ai r

ma y condense .

• Aura l alert s mus t

b e lou denoug ht o b e hear ddurin g al l expecte doperationa l conditions , includin g arapi ddecompressio nwher e th e ambien t nois e leve l wil l increase . 13 . A standar dairplan e public-addres s (PA ) syste mmus t b e installed . It

mus t b e audibl e throughou t

th e supernumerar y seatin g area . 14 . A n interphon e syste mmus t b e installe dtha t

provide s two-wa y communicatio nbetwee n th e supernumerar y seatin g are aan dth e flight deck , an di s withi nreac ho f at leas t on e o f th e supemumerarie s a

t hi s o r he r seat . Thi s syste mmus t

b e independen t

o f th e P A system , excep t for handsets , headsets , microphones , selecto r switches , an dsignalin g devices . Issue di n Rento n Washington , o n SE P1 3 201 1

AliBahram i Manager , Transpor t

Airplan e Directorat e Aircraf t Certificatio n Servic e