## Supporting **Data and Information for**  **Am erican**  **Avi ation**  **Request for exemption from 14 CFR 119.1(e)(6)**

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### Provided **by A**  **TK Launch Sy** **stems Inc. Prime**  **Contractor for LUU Flares**  **to US Government**

# History**of LUU Flares** • **The LUU -** **2/B v isible**  **light flare**  **wa s initially**  **certified for**  **US DOD operational use in the**  **late 1960’s and w as used extensiv** **ely i**  **n the Vietnam conflict.** • **The LUU -**  **19 flare w as**  **qualified for**  **use by U**  **SA F**  **in 1999** • **The production site**  **at Promontory h**  **as produced ov** **er 1.8 million**  **LUU flares** • **Ov er**  **300 flight tests**  **hav e**  **been performed for**  **acceptance by**  **t he**  **US gov ernment**  • **LUU flares hav** **e been and continue**  **to be supplied**  **to more than**  **25 gov ernments**  **around the w orld.** 

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## Combat Support • **AT K**  **on a consistent basis,**  **responds to global**  **Gov ernment**  **requests for cooperation**  **to integrate**  **the LUU flares into**  **new platform**  **applications** • **The experience gained**  **from 40 y** **ears of**  **flare production**  **has y ielded**  **continuous process and**  **design improv ements**  **that make the safety**  **a nd**  **performance of the**  **AT K**  **LUU flare the best in the wo**  **rld 25**  **statute mile limit from BMC** 

### BM **C**

**Proposed 45 statute miles from BMC** 

# Te**st Site Overview and Reason**  **for Request**

3 An exemption is sought from 14 CFR 1 19.1(e)(6) which states part 1 19 does not apply to: “Nonstop flights conducted within a 25 statute mile radius of the airport of takeoff carrying persons or objects for the purpose of conducting intention al parachute operations.” Relief from the 25 statute mile limit to the extent of 45 miles is necessary to continue using the legacy test site that is used for the purpose of performing the flight requirements for Lot Acceptance Te sting (LA T) for LUU flares. Each lot of flares produced must undergo LA T to demonstrate proper function per US DOD specifications before being delivered to the US DOD and/or one of 25 other foreign government customers. The LUU flares have been manufactured and tested, with F AA approval, in Utah for over 40 years to support both US Military operations and life saving search and rescue (SAR) operations by providing broad field illumination at night. Only recently during the renewal of the American Aviation’s Special Permit 7648 were we notified by the local FSDO that parachute operations are to be limited to within 25 statute miles of the airport of take off and that 14 CFR 1 19.1(e)(6) cannot be waived. Because of this, we have been unable to meet the current needs of the United States of Defense .**Ideal Drop zone (approx.)**  **Ty pical flight**  **path** 

# Ty **pical Flight Path During**  **Te sting** 

4 The figure above illustrates the drop zone and flight path that is used during the flare test operation. Dropping within the zone is coordinated between the pilot and test conductor on the ground. The pilot will fly a heading thru the drop zone and the test conductor will issue the drop command to the pilot via radio. AT K desires to use the historical test site as it consists of property owned by AT K and property for which AT K has land use agreements in place. The benefits of this test site include its isolation from inhabited areas (~15 miles from the nearest town of Kelton , UT or Snowville , UT) and limited vegetation. T he limited vegetation aids in the recovery of tested hardware as well as reduces the risk of fire. By allowing the exemption, continued use of the isolated and controlled drop site AT K maintains a high level of public safety.The site has been safely used by ATK Launch Systems Inc., and Thiokol Corporation in coordination with American Aviation for 12 years and Sunwest Aviation, respectively for several years preceding. Prior to each drop campaign a NOTAM (see draft at left) is sent to the following organizations: -AREA SUPERVISOR, FAA PRESCOT - HILL AFB RANGE CONTROL - HILL AFB BASE OPERATIONS - FAA SLC CENTER -ARTCC MILITARY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST - HILL AFB CLOVER CONTROL - HILL AFB COMMAND POST 

# Flight Plans and Notifications **During Te** **sting**

5 A general notice of operation is also sent to: - BOX ELDER COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL - BOX ELDER SHERIFF'S OFFICE - UTAH DNR, SOVEREIGN LANDS SPECIALIST - BEAR RIVER HEALTH DEPARTMENT