AFS

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- E April 29, 2013 Exemption No. 10754 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

- 2000

- 8179

Mr. Bob Frizzell FAA Coordinator M7 Aerospace L LC 10823 N.E. Entrance Road San Antonio, TX 78 216

Dear Mr. Frizzell :

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
By letter dated February 25, 201 3

, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of M7 Aerospace L LC (M7) for an extension of Exemption No. 5367 , as amended. That exemption from § 91.531(a)(3) of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) allows M7 to conduct production and experimental test flights in SA227

- CC and SA227

- DC Metro 23 airplanes without a pilot designated as second in command (SIC). In addition, it permits all operators of M7 commuter category airplanes (S A227

- CC, SA227

- DC, and other airplanes on the same type certificate) to conduct flight operations without a designated SIC, provided the airplane is type certificated for single

- pilot operations and is carrying nine or fewer

passengers. However, that exem ption expired on March 31, 2013. 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 extension of the exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be det rimental to M7

.

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. 5367

, the FAA found the justification for the issuance of that exemption remains valid with respect to this exemption

, is2

in the public interest

, and permits M7 type

- rated company pilots to conduct production and experimental test flight operations in SA

- 227

- CC and SA

- 227

- DC model commuter category airplanes without a second in command

.

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 Exemptio n No. 5367;

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 5367 also apply to the situation you present; and

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest.

Our Decision

The FAA has modified and/or added to the conditions a nd limitations on this exemption. These changes were made in order to clarify original content, and further define the intent and provide consistency of safety

- related aspects of the conditions and limitations.

Limitation Nos. 1, 4, and 7 were modified t o clarify the language regarding the relief provided under the exemption.

Condition No. 6 was added because the FAA has not reviewed M7 Corporation’s Flight Operations Procedures Manual recently. This condition will need to be satisfied in order for
M7 t o exercise the privileges of this exemption for production or experimental test flights.

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant M7 Aerospace LLC an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.531(a)(3) to the extent necessary to allow M7 to conduct production and experimental test flights in SA227

- CC and SA227

- DC Metro 23 airplanes without a pilot designated as SIC. In addition, it permits all operators of M7 commuter category airplanes (S A227

- CC, SA227

- DC, and other airplanes on the same type certificate) to conduct flight operations without a designated SIC, provided the airplane is type certificated for single

- pilot operations and is carr ying nine or fewer passengers , subject to the cond itions and limitations described below

.

Conditions and Limitations

1. Operations required to be conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) parts 121 or 135 are not permitted under the terms of this exemption

. 2. Each pilot operating under th is exemption must use a boom microphone for air to ground and cockpit communications.

3. This exemption applies only to M7 commuter category airplanes (SA227

- CC, SA227

- DC, and other airplanes on that same type certificate). In addition, this exemption applie s to those M7 commuter category airplanes that are type certificated for operations with one pilot and the airplane is carrying nine or fewer passengers.3

4. This exemption applies only to those operations performed by M7 and by M7 employees involving:

a. Produc tion and experimental test flights;

b. Flights for the purpose of delivery or recovery;

c. Ferry flights for the purpose of obtaining maintenance; and

d. Other operations permitted by 14 CFR part 91, Subpart F, limited to a maximum of nine passengers. For the purpo se of limiting the seating configuration to nine passenger seats, the seats not to be occupied must be placarded “Not to be Occupied” prior to the flight

. 5. Production and experimental test flights in SA227 series aircraft will be conducted with strict adhe rence to the following subject matter policies set out in the M7 Corporation Flight Operations Procedures Manual :

• Pilot prerequisites

• Pilot data files

• Physical examinations

• Pilot in command recent flight experience

• Weather minimums

• Production test area an d documentation

6. M7 may not exercise the privileges of this exemption for production and experimental test flights unless M7 holds a letter indicating acceptance of the M7 Corporation Flight Operations Manual from the FAA General Aviation & Commercial Divis ion (AFS

800)

. 7. This exemption applies to operators of M7 commuter category airplanes (SA227

- CC, SA227

- DC, and other airplanes on that same certificate) and applies only to operations involving:

a. Flights for the purpose of delivery or recovery of those airp lanes;

b. Ferry flights for the purpose of obtaining maintenance; and

c. Other operations permitted by 14 CFR part 91, Subpart F, limited to a maximum of nine passengers. For the purpose of limiting the seating configuration to nine passenger seats, the seats n ot to be occupied must be placarded “Not to be Occupied” prior to the flight.

8. No person may provide training nor may any person receive training while passengers are on board the aircraft during operations conducted under the privileges of this exemption.

9. For single

- pilot operations, each pilot in command must hold a type rating in the SA227 with no limitations ( e.g. , SIC required )

.4

The Effect of Our Decision
This exemption terminates on April 30, 2015, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/ John S. Duncan Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service