AFS-16-14012-E 

October 7, 2016 

 Exemption No. 11506A 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-0607 

Mr. Chris S. Gage 

Director of Flight Operations 

Columbia Helicopters, Inc. 

P.O. Box 3500 

Portland, OR 97208 

Dear Mr. Gage: 

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

Exemption No. 11506. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the 

conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. Additionally, the FAA 

has removed and discontinued the use of the abbreviation CHI in this amendment and 

replaced it with Columbia Helicopters, Inc. This will eliminate possible confusion with a 

similarly named exemption holder. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated August 17, 2016, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of Columbia Helicopters, Inc. for an extension of and amendment to Exemption 

No. 11506. That exemption from § 91.313(a) and (c) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR) allows Columbia Helicopters, Inc. to conduct operations needed to 

satisfy crewmember training, type rating requirements, and proficiency requirements found in 

part 61 in the CH-47D series restricted category aircraft. 

You petitioned to add one aircraft (N473CH) to the list in Condition and Limitation No. 1. 

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 

Columbia Helicopters, Inc. 

Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 11506 

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 44701, which the FAA Administrator 

has delegated to me, I grant Columbia Helicopters, Inc. an exemption from 14 CFR 

§ 91.313(a) and (c) to conduct operations needed to satisfy crewmember training, type rating 

requirements, and proficiency requirements found in part 61 in the CH-47D series restricted 

category aircraft, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. The privileges of this exemption are limited to the following aircraft: 

a. CH-47D: N472CH, N471CH, N473CH 

2. Columbia Helicopters, Inc. must be in full operational control of any aircraft operated 

using the privileges of this exemption. 

3. The relief from § 91.313(c) is only granted to the extent necessary to allow for the 

operations described in Condition and Limitation No. 4. 

4. Columbia Helicopters, Inc. may only use the aircraft for the special purposes 

identified on the restricted category airworthiness certificate for the aircraft in 

Condition and Limitation No. 1 and the following operations: 

a. Practical tests necessary to issue type ratings required by § 61.31(a) to pilots 

employed by Columbia Helicopters, Inc.; 

b. Flight training for pilots employed by Columbia Helicopters, Inc. seeking to 

take a practical test for a type rating designation necessary to operate an 

aircraft covered under this exemption; and, 

c. Observation flights performed for the purpose of designating or observing a 

Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). 

5. An aircraft configuration analysis including, but not limited to, flight deck, flight 

manual, operating limitations, required placards, and procedures must be completed 

and provided to the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with geographic 

responsibility for the airport or area where the aircraft is based. This analysis must 
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reflect the capability of the aircraft to perform all required procedures and maneuvers 

necessary to meet the applicable requirements of the aircraft type rating Practical Test 

Standards (for helicopters, FAA-S-8081-20 as amended). 

6. A copy of this exemption must be provided to the FSDO in the geographic region 

where the aircraft is based, must be provided to any representative of the 

Administrator upon request, and must be carried aboard the aircraft at all times. 

7. Failure to meet any of the conditions and limitations of this exemption immediately 

cancels the authority authorized by this exemption. 

8. This exemption is not valid for operations outside the United States. 

The Effect of Our Decision 

This exemption terminates on October 31, 2018, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John Barbagallo 

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service