Team AeroDynamix 

110 Aviation Ln, Gold Hill ,Nc 

WWW .TeamAeroDynamix.com 

August 5, 2014 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

400 7th Street SW 

Room Pl401 

Washington DC 20591-001 

SUBJECT FOR PETITION FOR GRANT OF EXEMPTION 

Pursuant to section§ 91.319 (a)(2) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulation (14CFR). Team Aerodynamix hereby 

submits to petition the FAA for exemption. The proposed exemption, if granted, would allow Team AeroDynamix 

to operate within a 25 mile radius of an air show venue for the purpose of conducting media/sponsor flights to 

promote the air show industry, aviation, and the air show event specifically without compensation. These 

educational flights further inform the media as to the safety and reliability of the aircraft performing at the venues. 

Our experience is that aircraft operating overhead serve as a reminder that an air show is occurring. It is our 

request that this waiver be granted to allow air show volunteers, sponsors, or media outlets to ride with our team 

to record the experience to promote the air show event. The profiles of these flights are brief, non-aerobatic, and 

not conducted over densely populated areas. Persons selected for a ride are volunteers chosen at random by the 

organizer/sponsor of the venue, or selected media. While we do not receive, and are not requesting, to be 

allowed to be compensated financially by these media rides, it is a grey area in the regulation as it pertains to who 

is being compensated and·wllere the·corriperisation goes. As an example: An air show venue may compensate a 

media outlet for commercial coverage of their ciir show. We.arebeingcompensated fo"r flying the air show as a 

performer~ It can be construed that the media is being paid for a flight if they take a ride with us. We want to get 

out of the' grey area with this exemption.· · · · · ·· 

Why The FAA Should Grant This Request 

In your summary of activities, you have the following mission activity, "Encouraging and developing civil 

aeronautics, including new aviation technology''. Having air shows promotes aviation. These air shows are funded 

by both spectators who pay a gate fee, as well as sponsors and other agencies. Its critical to these air shows that 

they receive the media and sponsor ·coverage necessary to have a successful event. With the decline of General 

Aviation, its critical that air shows b~ allowed to promote these shows with media and sponsors flights. These 

flights get wide ·press that·promotes and encourages air show attendance~ Maximum attendance at air shows 

directly goes to the: FAA· mission. Air shows inspire others, promote aviation, and go directly to the future of 

aviation and the FAA.·· ' ':: · · ' · · . ~· ..::/' '·· \. . . ' ' •' 
SPECIFIC REQUEST 

Applicant is requesting that the pilots of Team AeroDynamix be exempt from the provision of their operating 

limitations which states "No person may operate this aircraft for carrying persons or property for compensation or 

hire" under the following specific conditions: 

1. The flight is conducted from a location where an air show event is taking place. 

2. The flight is conducted within a 25 mile radius of the event 

3. The passenger has not financially compensated the pilot or Team AeroDynamix for the flight 

4. The passenger signs a statement attesting to these requirements 

APPLICANT/BACKGROUND 

Team AeroDynamix (Formerly Team RV) is a formation aerobatic air show team and has successfully performed 

for the past 12 years within FAA waivered airspace at air show venues across the U.S. and abroad. The RV 

Series aircraft utilized by the team have grown in production numbers to exceed 8700. This represents a growing 

number of completed and flow aircraft which in the coming years should exceed that of any other GA aircraft in 

the market place today. Members of the team hold ICAS aerobatic level waivers, in addition to FFI Inc. formation 

credentials. 

EQUIVILENT LEVEL OF SAFETY 

In addition to the requirements specified in the pilots operating limitations, the team imposes additional safety 

inspection requirements. Each year Team AeroDynamix conducts extensive firewall safety inspections for the 

purpose of exceeding the standards of certified aircraft. The inspections are performed by non owner members of 

the team. Discrepancies are corrected prior to the aircraft being placed back into service. These inspections are 

witnessed by an A&P mechanic specializing in the RV series aircraft. Pilot certifications are Commerciai/IFR 

ratings in excess of 2000 hours per pilot, of which each pilot holds in excess of 1 000 hours in the aircraft for 

proposed use. Aircraft used are subjected to inspections more regularly than 1 00 hours exceeding that of 

certificated aircraft. The engines and appliances used are manufactured by certificated builders and all parts have 

the same component assemblies and tolerances as certificated aircraft. All other components used in the 

assembly process of these aircraft are Mil Spec or certificated. Fuels used are aircraft grade only. 

NATURE AND EXTENT OF OPERATION 

This relief is requested in order to operate an RV Series aircraft for other than the stated purposes of education of 

recreation under which an experimental certificate is issued for an amateur-built aircraft, specifically, to operate 

and RV aircraft for public education, as described in this petition. The mission is non-aerobatic and within the 

more narrow confines of an air show or public display. An introductory flight is to enhance awareness to the local 

media outlets of the safety of small aircraft and to promote the aviation industry and venue. General aviation 

awareness is also enhanced through attendance of an air show. Children and adult attendees have later become 

pilots and aircraft owners. We believe our outreach has aided in their decision making. As the GA market place 

has evolved into an aging generation we believe our performances adds additional interest in flying. 

Thaddeus Sargent 

2735 Grey Rd. 

Davidson, NC 28036 

704-591-2035 

TadSargent@bellsouth.net