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, Code 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 airborne 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