AFS

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September 2 0 th , 2016

Exemption No. 9496 D Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 2007

- 28967

Mr. James M. White Director of Operations Compass Airlines, LLC 7500 Airline Drive, Suite 130

Minne apolis, MN 55450

Dear Mr. White :

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

No. 9496 , as amended

. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the

conditions and limitations

.

The Bas is for Our Decision

By letter dated May 17, 2016 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Adm inistration (FAA) on

behalf of Compass Airlines, LLC ( Compass ) for an extension of Exemption No. 9496 , as amended . That exemption from § 121.434(c) (1) ( i i) of Title 14 , Code of Federal Regulations

allow s Compass to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman or aircrew program designee for an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying pilot in command (PIC) who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing.

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 e xemption. In response to a request for clarification from the FAA dated July 13, 2016 , Compass confirmed that it requests to utilize the exemption outside of U.S. airspace. The petitioner stated that it serves Canada and Mexico and limiting the exemption t o domestic use would delay Compass’ ability to qualify pilots in a timely manner. The FAA has amended the conditions and2

limitations to clarify that Compass may operate outside of the United States under this exemption, unless otherwise prohibited by a for eign country.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition

in the Federal Register beca use the requested extension of the exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Compass.

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 9496 , 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 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegat ed to me, Compass Airlines, LLC is granted an extension to its exemption from § 121.434(c)(1)(ii) that allows Compass to substitute a qualified and

authorized check airman or air crew program designee for an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying PIC who is completing initial or upgrade training specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a landing, subject to the following conditions

and limita tions.

Conditions and Limitations

1. A Compass check airman or aircrew program designee may conduct a

PIC observation in place of an FAA inspector when

––

a. The Administrator preapproves that substitution for each observation of a qualifying PIC candidate, thu s reserving first right of refusal to the FAA in each case. Compass, therefore, must contact an appropriate FAA office, in each instance, before substituting that check airman or aircrew prog ram designee;

b. The qualifying PIC candidate has completed no less than 10 hours of supervised operating experience (OE) and accomplished no fewer than two takeoffs and landings; and

c. The qualifying PIC candidate is performing PIC duties during a complete flight leg, including flightdeck preparation, before starting engin es checklist, taxi, takeoff, all other flight phases, landing, taxi, and securing checklist.

2. Each Compass check airman or aircrew program designee conducting a PIC observation in place of an FAA inspector must

––

a. Be approved by the Administr ator to conduct the observation;

b. Have served as a check airman or aircrew program designee for Compass for no

less than 6 months ;

c. Not supervise the OE or conduct the initial line check for the qualifying

PIC candidate being observed ; and3

d. Conduct the observation from th e observer seat only (i.e. not a required flightcrew member seat). Compass must maintain student, check airman, and aircrew program designee records that demonstrate compliance with the conditions and limitations of this exemption.

3. Compass may operate outs ide of the United States under this exemption, unless otherwise prohibited by a foreign country.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 9496

, as amended

, to September 30, 201 9

, unless so oner superseded or re scinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service