AFS-14-033-E

May 6, 2014

 Exemption No. 10818A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-1349

Mr. Stephen M. Dickson 

Senior Vice President Flight Operations

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

1030 Delta Boulevard, Department 207

Atlanta GA, 30320

Dear Mr. Dickson:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend and amend Exemption

No. 10818. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the revised

conditions and limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated October 25, 2013, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of Delta Airlines Inc. (Delta) for an amendment to Exemption No. 10818. That 

amendment from § 91.9(a ) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) would allow a 

select group of Delta Senior Line Check Airmen Pilots to add Microsoft Surface Tablet as an 

approved device on the flight deck under certain conditions and limitations for the purpose of 

conducting research into turbulence mitigation and avoidance and extend the termination date 

of exemption No. 10818 to enable continued research into turbulence mitigation and 

avoidance.

The petitioner provided data and test results, satisfactorily demonstrating that the Effective 

Radiated Power of the Microsoft Surface Tablet is not greater than that of the Apple iPad 

approved for use in exemption No. 10818, and therefore presents no greater risk of display 

interference.

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption. 
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The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension of and amendment to the exemption 

would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to 

Delta.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10818, as 

amended, remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, 

under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113 and 44701which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I grant your petition to allow a select group of Delta 

Senior Line Check Airmen Pilots to operate the Apple Ipad or Microsoft Surface Tablet, 

WiFi-only as approved devices on the flight deck under certain conditions and limitations for 

the purpose of conducting research into turbulence mitigation and avoidance, subject to the 

following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. Prior to start of the research program, Delta shall provide the names of the LCA pilots 

who will participate in the program and the date(s) each pilot was trained on the 

following operational controls, to the Delta Certificate Management Office (CMO). 

Only those LCA identified and trained shall participate.

a. Use of the Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet is limited to non-critical stages 

of flight. The Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet will be powered off and 

stowed below 10,000 feet.

b. No more than one Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet may be used at a time

and must be used in either the Pilot’s or First Officer’s position (not both) on any 

given flight.

c. LCAs will ensure Bluetooth functionality is disabled on the Apple iPad or 

Microsoft Surface Tablet, prior to flight.

d. The Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet will not be used forward of the control 

column at any time during flight. This will ensure a separation of at least 18 

inches between the Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet and Display Units.

e. If any Display Unit anomalies occur, the Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet 

will immediately be powered off and stowed for the duration of the flight.

2. This exemption applies only to use of Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet WiFionly devices used during turbulence mitigation and avoidance research. No other 

WiFi devices shall be used on the flight deck of placarded B737NG aircraft, nor shall 
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the Apple iPad or Microsoft Surface Tablet be used during flight for any other 

purpose. Further, this relief does not extend to any other placard or marking beyond 

the flight deck placard which reads “USE OF WI-FI DEVICES ON THE FLIGHT 

DECK PROHIBITED WHEN ENGINES OPERATING FOR PURPOSE OF 

FLIGHT.”

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision amends Exemption No. 10818 and extends the termination date to October 31, 

2015 unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

/s/

Bruce DeCleene

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service