AFS-11-443-E December 16, 2011 Exemption No. 10409 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2006-26605

Mr. Daniel Nachbar 110 Pulpit Hill Road Amherst, MA 01002

Dear Mr. Nachbar:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends.

The Basis for Our Decision

On August 30, 2011, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an exemption from § 61.31(l)(2)(iii)(B) of Title 14, C ode of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). That exemption allowed you and Mr. Kuehlmuss to carry passengers in a personal blimp (N111SY) without holding an airship class rating. That exemption, however, expired on August 31, 2011; therefore, we will treat your request as a new petition.

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

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to you.

The FAA has issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 9407 (copy enclosed), the FAA found that a pilot with a balloon rating (with ai rborne heater) would possess the basic pilot skills that would be necessary to operate the personal blimp (N111SY).

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that—

 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 9407;2

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 9407 also apply to the situation you present; and

 a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mr. Daniel Nachbar an exemption from 14 CFR § 61.31(l)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow you and Mr. Kuehlmuss to carry passengers in a personal blimp (N111SY) without holding an airship class rating, subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This grant of exemption is specifically limited to the personal blimp (N111SY).

2. This grant of exemption is limited specifically to Mr. Nachbar (pilot certificate No. 2783747) and Mr. Kuehlmuss (pilot certificate No. 3217202) to act as pilot in command (PIC) in the personal blimp (N111SY) for the carriage of passengers.

3. The carriage of passengers is limited to one person per flight in the personal blimp (N111SY) regardless of any future aircraft design changes.

4. As per § 91.319(a)(2), the carriage of persons/passengers in the personal blimp (N111SY) cannot be for compensation or hire.

5. Flights in the personal blimp (N111SY) may only be conducted in day or night time visual flight meteorological conditions.

6. All operations under the terms and conditions of this grant of exemption must remain in compliance with the letter of operating limitations that was issued to the personal blimp (N111SY) on October 13, 2006, except where this exemption specifically provides

relief.

This exemption terminates on December 31, 2013, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/ Raymond Towles Acting Director, Flight Standards

Service

Enclosure