AFS-14-179-E

April 23, 2014

 Exemption No.10517B

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2009-1169

Mr. Kermit Weeks

President

World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection

1400 Broadway Boulevard SE.

Polk City, FL 33686

Dear Mr. Weeks:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption No. 10517. 

It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions and 

limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated February 19, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of World’s Greatest Aircraft Collection, Inc. (WGAC) for an extension of 

Exemption No. 10517, as amended. That exemption from §§ 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21 of 

Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows WGAC to operate its P-51D (N921 Serial No. 

45-11507) for the purpose of carrying passengers on local flights for educational and historical 

purposes for compensation or hire.

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

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 detrimental to WGAC.

Our Decision

The FAA has modified the conditions and limitations of Exemption No. 10517A as follows:
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 Limitation 1 was changed to include the aircraft’s serial number.

 Limitation 2 was changed to include more detailed references to the applicable civil 

and military operational, maintenance, and inspection guidance applicable to the 

aircraft, to include a reference to the current applicable limited type certificate (LTC11). 

 A note was added to Limitation 4 and Limitation 5 to provide for a process should any

conflict arises between the limitations in the applicable technical guidance and the 

FAA-issued operating limitations. 

 A change was made to Limitation 5 Required Training Tasks table, tasks (c) (ii) and 

(d) (iii) because, as previously drafted, it may lead the reader to the incorrect 

impression that an actual shutdown of a powerplant was required. This clarification is 

necessary to be consistent with the term “simulated powerplant failure” used in task 

(e) (ii) Landings and Approaches to Landings. 

 Limitation 14 (e) was expanded to clarify that operators utilizing aircraft certificated in 

the limited category are not bound by the restriction regarding the avoidance of 

densely populated areas or congested airways.

 Limitation 27 was added to clarify that this exemption is not valid for operations 

outside of the United States.

The FAA will be making these changes to all LHFE (Living History Flight Experience)

exemption as they are amended or extended. Please note that the conditions and limitations 

included with an exemption are not based on specific regulations but are the FAA’s means of 

ensuring an equivalent level of safety. This may necessitate limitations that go beyond the 

established regulations due to the fact that the proposed operation is, by its need for an 

exemption, outside the normal regulatory structure.

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10517, as 

amended, remains valid and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority provided 

by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I

grant WGAC relief from sections §§ 91.315, 119.5(g), and 119.21 (a) of Title 14, Code of 

Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to allow WGAC to operate a North American P-51D (N921,

Serial No. 45-11507) for the purpose of carrying passengers on local educational and 

historical flights for compensation or hire.

Conditions and Limitations

1. This exemption applies only to the following airplane: North American P-51, N921, 

Serial No. 45-11507.
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2. The exemption holder must maintain its limited category airplane in accordance with the: 

a. Maintenance requirements as specified in the P-51 limited type specification sheet 

Limited Type certificate LTC-11, as amended; 

b. FAA-approved maintenance inspection program that meets the requirements of 

§ 91.409(e), (f)(4), and (g); and

c. Most current military technical manuals for airframe, powerplant, and systems used 

operationally by the US military and/or the technical guidance provided under the 

Military Assistance Program (MAP), as appropriate.

3. The pilot in command (PIC) for the P-51 must:

a. Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine land 

rating, an airplane instrument rating, and the aircraft authorization;

b. Have completed within the previous 12 calendar months, the exemption holder's PIC 

qualification and recurrent flight and ground training program in the airplane for 

which PIC privileges are sought;

c. Have completed within the previous 12 calendar months, the exemption holder's PIC 

proficiency check in the airplane for which PIC privileges are sought; 

d. Have at least a total of 2,500 hours of aeronautical flight experience, 1,000 hours of 

aeronautical flight experience in single-engine land airplanes, and 25 hours in the

airplane; or have at least a total of 1,000 hours of aeronautical flight experience, 

200 hours of aeronautical flight experience in a single-engine land airplane, and 

100 hours and 50 takeoffs and 50 landings in the airplane; and 

e. Have accomplished within the previous 90 days, three takeoffs and three landings to 

a full stop in the airplane for which PIC privileges are sought. For initial PIC 

qualification in the specific airplane or if the pilot has allowed his/her takeoff and

landing currency to lapse in the airplane, the takeoff and landing currency may not 

be accomplished during passenger-carrying operations. 

4. The exemption holder must develop and maintain written P-51 qualification and recurrent 

ground training programs for its PICs in the P-51 that cover the training subjects listed 

below. Each PIC in the P-51 must receive the following training within the previous 

12 calendar months and be found to be competent and knowledgeable in these areas prior 

to serving in a PIC position in the P-51:

REQUIRED TRAINING TASKS

a. General information and description of the airplane;

b. Airplane limitations;

c. Airplane servicing;

d. Airspeeds;

e. Fuel system;

f. Electrical system;
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g. Hydraulic system;

h. Engines;

i. Instruments and avionics;

j. Landing gear, brakes, controls, and flaps systems;

k. Propeller;

l. Emergency procedures, including:

(i) Instruction in emergency assignments and procedures, including coordination among 

crewmembers;

(ii) Individual instruction in the location, function, and operation of emergency equipment, 

including:

A. First aid equipment and its proper use; and

B. Portable fire extinguishers, with emphasis on the type of extinguisher to be used on 

different classes of fires;

(iii) Instruction in the handling of emergency situations, including:

A. Fire in flight or on the surface and smoke control procedures with emphasis on 

electrical equipment and related circuit breakers found in cabin areas; and

B. Illness, injury, or other abnormal situations involving passengers or crewmembers;

m. Weight and balance;

n. Performance planning;

o. Airplane's checklist; and

p. Differences in type.

Note: All limitations in the applicable technical guidance (i.e., FAA flight manual 

limitations) must be adhered to. If any conflict arises between the limitations in the 

applicable technical guidance and the FAA-issued operating limitations, the FSDO must 

mist be contacted for additional guidance.

5. WGAC must develop and maintain a written P-51 qualification and recurrent flight 

training program for its PIC in the P-51 that covers the areas of operations and tasks, as 

listed in the following table of training tasks. Each PIC in the P-51 must successfully

accomplish this training before being assigned PIC responsibilities and duties. Each PIC in 

the P-51 must receive and successfully accomplish the following training within the 

previous 12 calendar months and be found to be competent and proficient in these areas 

prior to serving in a PIC position in the P-51 for the exemption holder:

REQUIRED TRAINING TASKS

a. Preflight Preparation, including: 

(i) Airplane exam (oral or written); and

(ii) Airplane performance & limitations (oral or written).

b. Ground Operations, including:

(i) Preflight inspection;

(ii) Cockpit resource management;
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(iii) Powerplant start procedures;

(iv) Taxiing; and

(v) Pre-takeoff checks.

c. Takeoffs & Departures, including: 

(i) Normal & crosswind takeoffs; 

(ii) Powerplant failure; and 

(iii) Rejected takeoffs.

d. In-flight Maneuvers, including:

(i) Steep turns;

(ii) Approach to stalls;

(iii) Powerplant failure; and 

(iv) Specific flight characteristics.

e. Landings & Approaches to Landing, including:

(i) Normal & crosswind approaches & landing;

(ii) Power off landings;

(iii) Rejected landing; and

(iv) Landing from a no flap or a nonstandard flap approach.

f. Normal & Abnormal Procedures, including:

(i) Powerplant;

(ii) Fuel system;

(iii) Electrical system;

(iv) Hydraulic system;

(v) Environmental & pressurization system (as appropriate and if equipped);

(vi) Fire detection & extinguishing system;

(vii) Navigation & avionics system;

(viii) Automatic flight control system, electronic flight instrument system, & related 

systems (as appropriate and if equipped);

(ix) Flight control system;

(x) Anti-ice & de-ice system; and

(xi) Airplane & personal emergency equipment.

g. Emergency Procedures, including:

(i) In-flight fire & smoke removal;

(ii) Rapid decompression (as appropriate and if equipped with a pressurization system);

(iii) Emergency descent;

(iv) Ditching; and

(v) Emergency evacuation.

h. Post flight Procedures, including:

(i) After landing procedures; and

(ii) Parking and securing airplane.

Note: All limitations in the applicable technical guidance (i.e., FAA flight manual 

limitations), must be adhered to. If any conflict arises between the limitations in the 
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applicable technical guidance and the FAA-issued operating limitations, the FSDO mist be 

contacted for additional guidance

6. The exemption holder may not use a pilot nor may any pilot serve as a pilot in any airplane 

unless, since the beginning of the 12th calendar month before that service, that pilot has 

passed a competency check given by the FAA or an authorized check pilot in that airplane 

to determine the pilot's competence in practical skills and techniques in the appropriate 

airplane. The competency check will consist of the appropriate maneuvers and procedures 

currently required for the original issuance of the commercial pilot certificate. The FAA's 

local jurisdictional Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) where the aircraft is 

permanently based will determine what maneuvers and procedures are critical, such as 

preflight preparation, ground operations, takeoffs and departures, and normal procedures, 

etc., and maneuvers and procedures that may be unsafe for a particular airplane.

7. Recurrent flight training for pilots must include, at least, flight training in the maneuvers 

and procedures in this exemption. However, satisfactory completion of the check required 

by this exemption within the preceding 12 calendar months may be substituted for 

recurrent flight training.

8. The exemption holder must document and record all ground and flight training and/or 

testing required by this grant of exemption in a manner acceptable to the FAA's local 

jurisdictional FSDO where the aircraft is permanently based. That documentation and 

records must contain the following information:

a. Date of each training session;

b. Date of each testing session;

c. The amount of time of each session of ground and flight training given;

d. The amount of time of each session of ground and flight testing given;

e. Location where each session of ground and flight training was given;

f. Location where each session of ground and flight testing was given;

g. The airplane identification number in which each flight training session was

received;

h. The airplane identification number in which each flight testing session was received;

i. The name and certificate number of the pilot who provided each session of training;

j. The name and certificate number of the pilot who provided each session of testing;

k. The signature and printed name of the pilot who received the training. That pilot's 

signature will serve as a verification of having received each session of training; and

l. The signature and printed name of the pilot who received the testing. That pilot's 

signature will serve as a verification of having received each session of testing.
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9. When requested, the exemption holder’s pilot qualification and recurrent ground- and 

flight-training programs and/or records listed in conditions above must be made available 

to the FAA's local jurisdictional FSDO where the aircraft is permanently based.

10. The exemption holder must have the services of an FAA-certificated airframe and 

powerplant mechanic or an appropriately rated repair station available at all stopovers to 

perform all required maintenance inspections and repairs.

11. The exemption holder will maintain the following information and records and will make 

those records available for review to the FAA when requested:

a. The name of each pilot crewmember the exemption holder authorizes to conduct flight 

operations in its airplane under the terms of this exemption;

b. Copies of each PIC's pilot certificate, medical certificate, qualifications, and initial and 

recurrent training and testing documentation to comply with the conditions listed 

above; and

c. Records of maintenance performed and maintenance inspection records to comply

with the conditions above, as appropriate. Maintenance and inspection records must 

meet the requirements of §§ 43.9, 43.11, and 91.405.

12. Before permitting a person to be carried on board its airplane for the purposes authorized 

under this exemption, the exemption holder will inform that person that its airplane holds

only a limited airworthiness certificate; the significance of the airworthiness certificate as 

compared to a standard airworthiness certificate; and that the FAA has authorized this 

flight under a grant of exemption from the requirements of §§ 91.315, 91.319, 119.5(g), 

and 119.21(a). The explanation of the significance of a limited airworthiness certificate 

compared to a standard airworthiness certificate must include at least the following 

information:

a. The FAA has not established nor has it approved limited category airworthiness 

certificated airplane manufacturing standards. In contrast, standard category

airworthiness certificated airplanes are manufactured to FAA-approved standards, 

including standards addressing the design of the airplane and life-limited parts;

b. Limited category airworthiness certificated airplanes are issued when the FAA finds 

the airplane—

i. Has been previously issued a limited category type certificate and the airplane 

conforms to that type certificate; and

ii.To be in a good state of preservation and repair and is in a safe operating 

condition;

c. Standard category airworthiness certificates are issued for an airplane when the FAA 

finds the—

i. Airplane has been built and maintained in accordance with that airplane's type 

certification standards as established by the FAA; and
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ii.Airplane's inspection and maintenance requirements are in compliance with the 

applicable Federal Aviation Regulations.

13. The exemption holder must notify the FAA's local jurisdictional FSDO where the aircraft 

is permanently based within 24 hours of any of the following occurrences by written 

report, by electronic mail, or by facsimile:

a. Each in-flight fire in any system or area that requires activation of any fire suppression 

system or discharge of a portable fire extinguisher;

b. Each exhaust system component failure including the turbocharger components that 

causes damage to any engine, structure, cowling, or components;

c. Each airplane component or system that causes, during flight, accumulation or 

circulation of noxious fumes, smoke, or vapor in any portion of the cabin or crew area;

d. Except for training, each occurrence of engine shutdown or propeller feathering and 

the reason for such shutdown or feathering;

e. Each failure of the propeller governing systems or feathering systems;

f. Any landing gear system or component failures or malfunctions, which require use of 

emergency or standby extension systems;

g. Each failure or malfunction of the wheel brake systems that cause loss of brake control 

on the ground;

h. Each airplane structure that requires major repair due to damage, deformation, or 

corrosion, and the method of repair;

i. Each failure or malfunction of the fuel system, tanks, pumps, or valves;

j. Each malfunction, failure, or defect in any system or component that requires taking 

emergency action of any type during the course of any flight; and

k. For the purpose of this section, “during flight” means the period from the moment the 

airplane leaves the surface of the earth on takeoff until it touches down on landing.

14. All flight operations must be conducted:

a. At a minimum operating altitude of not less than 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL);

b. Between the hours of official sunrise and sunset, as established in the American Air 

Almanac, as converted to local time;

c. Within a 25-statute-mile radius of the departure airport with landings only permitted at 

the departure airport;

d. With a minimum flight visibility of not less than 3 statute miles and a minimum 

ceiling of not less than 1,500 feet AGL;

e. For passenger-carrying operations for compensation of distances greater than 25 

statute miles of the departure airport up to 50 statute miles must have concurrence of 
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the FAA FSDO having geographic responsibility for the aviation event. For such 

flights, landings are only permitted at the departure airport. Those operators utilizing 

aircraft certificated in the limited category are not bound by the restriction regarding 

the avoidance of densely populated areas or congested airways;

f. For passenger-carrying flights greater than 25 statute miles from the departure airport 

and up to 50 statute miles, the PIC must obtain weather reports and forecasts prior to 

flight and valid for the duration of the proposed operation that indicate that the 

weather would be no less than 5 statute miles visibility and cloud ceilings no less than 

2,000 feet AGL. Passenger-carrying operations shall be terminated if ceiling and 

visibility become less than the minimum required by these conditions and limitations. 

Weather forecasts listing discriminators such as probability (PROB), becoming 

(BECOMG), or temporarily (TEMPO) shall be limiting; and

g. The airplane may only be operated from an airport that has a fire station or firefighting services available or within close proximity of the airport. 

15. No persons other than the assigned flight crewmembers may be permitted on the pilot 

station of the airplane during flight operations.

16. All flight operations must carry no more than the maximum number of passengers 

permitted by the aircraft's weight and balance limitations and number of approved seats in 

the airplane.

17. WGAC’s P-51 must have the equipment listed in §§ 91.205(b) and 91.207 and that 

equipment must be in an operable condition during the flight.

18. WGAC must hold and continue to hold a determination from the U.S. Internal Revenue 

Service that it is a § 501(c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt, charitable organization under 

§§ 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.

19. WGAC must notify the FAA's local jurisdictional FSDO where the aircraft is permanently

based at least 5 working days (Mondays through Fridays) before conducting any PIC 

initial or recurrent qualification training and any PIC initial or recurrent proficiency checks 

required to be conducted under the terms of this grant of exemption.

20. No later than 72 hours prior to commencing flight operations under the terms of this grant 

of exemption, the exemption holder must notify the jurisdictional FAA FSDO where it 

intends to conduct the flight operations and shall provide a copy of this exemption to that 

jurisdictional FAA FSDO.

21. This grant of exemption pertains to the operation of the WGAC North American P-51, 

N921, certificated in the limited category.

22. The PIC is prohibited from performing aerobatic flight while passengers are onboard the 

aircraft.

23. For all aircraft subject to this exemption, flight within 500 feet of another aircraft 

(i.e., formation flying) is prohibited.
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24. Prior to flight, the PIC must ensure that a passenger briefing meeting the scope and 

content of § 135.117 has been provided to the passenger(s).

25. No persons other than the assigned flight crewmembers may be permitted to manipulate 

the flight controls during flight operations.

26. WGAC must develop a continuous analysis and management program for all aircraft 

subject to this exemption that ensures compliance with its inspection program, training 

program, and conditions and limitations of this exemption.

27. This exemption is not valid for operations outside of the United States.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be 

grounds for the immediate suspension or revocation of your exemption, as amended.

The Effect of Our Decision

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 10517, as amended, to May 31, 

2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely,

//s//

John Barbagallo

Acting Deputy Director,

Flight Standards Service