# RECEIVED
U.S.DEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATION 

# A\1' 3 • !l In The Matter Of: HELOAIR, INC., Respondent. OFFICE OF HEARINGS WASHINGTON, D.C. ) ) ) ) ) 

### ANSWER

# ~i_~I?('NG 

# DOCKET

Docket No. FAA-2012-0472 Case No. 2011-EA-210081

Respondent, HeloAir, Inc. ("HeloAir "), by its undersigned counsel, hereby responds to the numbered paragraphs ofthe Administrator's Complaint as follows: Paragraph 

### 1. HeloAir admits that 

### it is the holder ofAir Carrier Certificate No. RW8A341W. Paragraph 2. HeloAir admits that it maintained and operated a Bell 427 aircraft, identification number N7NU (hereinafter "the aircraft"), beginning on May 18,2007. Paragraph 3. HeloAir admits that it may have performed certain maintenance on the aircraft
on or about July 20, 2011. HeloAir denies that it installed the Garmin GPS 496 onJuly 20, 2011 or
on any other date. Paragraph 4. HeloAir denies the allegations contained in paragraph 4 ofthe Complaint. Paragraph 5. HeloAir admits the allegations ofparagraph 

### 5 ofthe Complaint. Paragraph 6. HeloAir denies the allegations contained in paragraph 6 ofthe Complaint. Paragraph 7. HeloAir denies that it installed the Garmin GPS 496 and denies that it was required to do any testing ofthe Garmin GPS 496. Paragraph 8. HeloAir denies the allegations contained in paragraph 8 ofthe Complaint. Paragraph 9. HeloAir denies the allegations contained in paragraph 9 ofthe Complaint. Paragraph 10. HeloAir denies that it installed the Garmin GPS 496 on the aircraft. HeloAir denies the remaining allegations contained in paragraph 10 ofthe Complaint.

(W2039443.1 009816-084619}7. HeloAir also reasonably relied upon the Federal Aviation Administration, which following HeloAir taking over the operation and maintenance ofthe aircraft, inspected the aircraft on
numerous occasions and flew in the aircraft on numerous check flights. (See attached list ofF AA inspections and FAA check flights involving the aircraft, which is attached as Exhibit B). At no time during these numerous inspections and check flights, did the FAA notify HeloAir ofany irregularities
or defects regarding the installation or operation ofthe Garmin GPS 496. 8. HeloAir moves to dismiss the Complaint as the alleged violations occurred on or after August 2, 1990 and more than two years before the Administrator issued a Notice to Propose Civil Penalty to HeloAir. The installation ofthe subject Garmin GPS 496 took place on April 10, 2007 by Edwards 

### & Associates, Inc., FAA Repair Station FKFR930D. The Administrator's Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty was dated November 3, 2011. As such, the Administrator's Complaint is subject to dismissal as stale. 9. The installation ofthe Garmin GPS 496 has been conducted in a similar fashion on
numerous (hundreds of) aircraft ofvarious makes and models across the Country and has been approved by the FAA. 10. The Administrator's failure to follow internal procedures warrants a waiver ofthe imposition ofany civil penalty. 11. HeloAir intends to rely on all available defenses that may be revealed through the
course ofthis matter, and thus reserves the right to amend, modify or supplement this Answer as warranted. HeloAir respectfully requests that the Administrative LawJudge deny the Administrator's Complaint, dated May 17,2012, requesting a civil penalty in the amount of$33,000, and award HeloAir its fees and costs.

{W2039443.1 009816-084619 J7. HeloAir also reasonably relied upon the Federal Aviation Administration, which following HeloAir taking over the operation and maintenance ofthe aircraft, inspected the aircraft on
numerous occasions and flew inthe aircraft on numerous check flights. (See attached list ofF AA inspections and FAA check flights involving the aircraft, which is attached as Exhibit B). At no time during these numerous inspections and check flights, did the FAA notify HeloAir ofany irregularities
or defects regarding the installation or operation ofthe Gannin GPS 496. 8. HeloAir moves to dismiss the Complaint as the alleged violations occurred on or after August 2, 1990 and more than two years before the Administrator issued a Notice to Propose Civil Penalty to HeloAir. The installation ofthe subject Garmin GPS 496 took place on April 10, 2007 by Edwards & Associates, Inc., FAA Repair Station FKFR930D. The Administrator's Notice of Proposed Civil Penalty was dated November 3, 2011. As such, the Administrator's Complaint is subject to dismissal as stale. 9. The installation ofthe Gannin GPS 496 has been conducted in a similar fashion on
numerous (hundreds of) aircraft ofvarious makes and models across the Country and has been approved by the FAA. 10. The Administrator's failure to follow internal procedures warrants a waiver ofthe imposition ofany civil penalty. 11. HeloAir intends to rely on all available defenses that may be revealed through the
course ofthis matter, and thus reserves the right to amend, modify or supplement this Answer as warranted. HeloAir respectfully requests that the Administrative Law Judge deny the Administrator's Complaint, dated May 17,2012, requesting a civil penalty in the amount of$33,000, and award HeloAir its fees and costs.

{W2039443.1 009816-084619}

### HEARING REQUESTED IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

Dated: August

# j_, 2012

(W2039443.1 009816-084619} Respectfully submitted, SANDS ANDERSON 

### PC

G. Butler, III, Esquire (VSB # 46200) 

### Counsel for Respondent SANDS ANDERSON 

### PC Bank ofAmerica Center (DCB # 460969)

1111 East Main Street, Suite 2400 Richmond, Virginia 23219 Telephone: (804) 648-1636 Facsimile: (804) 783-7291

### CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I hereby certify that I have this date mailed, by United States mail, postage prepaid, an original and one copy ofthe foregoing Answer addressed to: Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20591 Attention: Hearing Docket Clerk, AGC-430 Wilbur Wright Building-Suite 2W1000 And further, that I have this date mailed, by United States mail, one copy ofthe foregoing Answer addressed to: Zachary M. Berman, 

### Complainant's Counsel Office ofthe Regional Counsel, AEA-7 Eastern Region Federal Aviation Administration 1 Aviation Plaza Jamaica, New York 11434 Telephone: 718-553-3258 Facsimile: 718-995-5699 The Honorable J.E. Sullivan,

### Administrative Law Judge Office ofHearings, M-20 U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E. (E11-310) Washington, D.C. 20590 Telephone: 202-366-2132 Facsimile: 202-366-7536 Whit Baldwin, President HeloAir, Inc., 

### Respondent 5721 Gulfstream Road Richmond, Virginia 23250 Telephone: 804-226-3400 Facsimile: 804-226-3494

Dated: August_!}_, 2012

{W2039443.1 009816..084619}

# 422_461**RC~FTMODEL** -SERIAL NO. REGISTRATION NO. OWNER**4'~1** 

### 5t,o;)S 

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## '1 

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## ~C.:.C;ks,**~'** ILOT DATE TYPE OF ACFT.HRS. ENG. STARTS TORQUE LANDINGS POWER ENG.1 ENG.2 FLIGHT ENG.1 ENG.2 §..VENTS ASSURANCE

0

## ~~ TORQUE 

# !**~** : 0 TOTnTT 

## i

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# i ! 

### / V" i ' N2 

# ! 

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## I / 

# . ! OAT TOTAL FOR THE DAY 

# . i PA • 

# i AIRCRAFT & ENGINE AIRCRAFT ENG. HOURS ENG. CYCLES TORQUE LANDINGS I CERTIFY TI'IAT THE DAILY 'LIGHT HRS I CYCLES I RIN HOURS ENG.t ENG.2**EN~.** 1 · ENG. 2 EVENTS INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 

### • .I AGCORDING TO THE 'OTALS BROUGHT FORWARD: 

## \0'1 

# ., 1"0'7**~** 

## '7 j l01 

## °1**Jl+~ II'+~** **Ito~** 

## Iloa MAINTENANCE MANUAL. i 

# y . rOTALS FOR TODAY: • • i 

# . : 'CCUMULATIVE TOTAL: 

# . . ; 

# . / ; ; 

## ! : NEXT SCHEDULED 

# 1/ i NAME & CERTIFICATE NO. INSPECTION DUE: : : ; TYPE INSPECTION 

# /I : (50, 100, ETC.) 

# I DATE: ANNUAL INSPECTION 

# / : 

# I of \TE: 

# I _:_ ; PILOTS AND MAINTENANCE RECORD PILOTS ENTER DISCREPANCIES- MECHANICS ENTER ALL-MAINTENANCE PERFORMED FLIGHT REMARKS DISCREPANCIES 1 W/0 C07134EA, C07642EA 4-10-07 COR RECTI\**N4~7KP** S/N 56025 ACTION ACTT .107.7 #1 ENG TSN 107.7 CYCLES 142 #2 ENG TSN 107.7 CYCLES 142 TQ EVENTS 162 LANDINGS 162 2 Performed boroscope inspection ofTransmission Assembly P/N 427-D40-006-113 S/N A-52 TSN 107.7 and T/R Gearbox Assembly P/N 427-042-400-105 S/N A-65 CORRECTI\1 TSN 107.7 per Bell's Engineering recommendations per BHT e-mail dated 12-13-06 ACTION due to long term inactivity. No defects noted. ·····END-·--- 3 

# &4{--. PARTS AND SERVICES SOLD OR CORRECTI'\1 PERFORMED CONFORM TO BELL ACTIQN APPROVED PARTS STANDARDS, INSPECTOR -FOR ....__ CURRENT BELL PUBLICATIONS 4 EDWARDS&. ASSOCIATES, INC. AND FAA REQUIREMENTS. BRISTOL, TN 37625 CORRECTlY FAA REPAIR STATION FKFR930D ACTION 5 

### EXHIBIT ,___ { RRECfiVE 

# j

# ~ \ ACTION 

### HELICOPTER LOG Bell Helicopter

## Utiitt•:**A~olltltrt** 7861 55349 REV 195 POSt OFFICI 80X .Ut • FORt WORTH. tEXAI1'6101

.. .**~.** . ...**~ ~**  

### .:.-...**~~~''"** 

### **• ,- .. t' t 11":7' 

# tnt 

# ·rrs ·· r-tifr·-iN427KP SIN 66025 W/0 C07134EA ACTT: 107.7 04/10/2007 

### Page 1 of 1 i f£ I IIIMJI . "'·"t<

• Inspectedthe aircraftand found 1 ea. Honeywell KR87 AJ;)F System (KR87 AOF System consists ofPIN 427-105-010-101I<R87'ADF Provisions and P/H**427•705.oi0·10~** Klt47 AOF**~quipment}** to have been instaffed without the proper docuaraerriiition. Upon inspection offhfs installation ithas been detennlnedthatthis alteratipn isminorinaccordanceWith FARPart 1,Paragraph 1.1 1as themodifications do notappreciablyaffectaitcraftwei!Jhf, balance,structuralstrenQth, performcwnce, powerphintopenition,flight characteristics, orotherqualities affecting airworthinessandtheworkwas completed byelementary operafiort$in3c;cordancewith accepted practices containedin AC 4$.13
..18Change 1,AC43.13-2Aand Bell**Heliitop~rTeldran** $f.andard Practices All-SPM•. • Installed 1 ea. Garmin lnfetnafional, Inc. GPSMAP49$ GP$ Sf$tem to include: 1 

### ea.. Gannin GXM30A Antenna PIN 011..01316-10, S1N 18207070 at t=.S. 43.0 I -5.0

### sec~d to f;hC';) folward

### insttff~1tt**p;;.;i~** 

# '
. shroud using a 2024T3 ang1e bracketand "MS"hardware (reference EA Fabrication Follower#FF421-43-XM Antenna). 1**ea~ ~artnm**  GPSMAP496 GPS, SIN**1970$~79** atF.$. 69.0 I 0.0 secured to the center post betweep the windshields using a 2024T3 angle bracketand "NiS" hardwara{refel'8llceEA Fabrication**~ollower** if. FF'-421.09-GPS496). Note: AU wiringwas·petformed in**accotdan~** with.EA DWG**#AV4)7~000** which is beingsuppliedto the owner/operator. The GPSMAP496GPS is runit.ed to VFR useottfy, installed referencing ACto-138AParagraph 9 and**evalu;~ted** 1.1nderthe criteria in paragraphfie (1) and foundto beaminoralteration. iheGNS$Equipment/!J:!!?tplacarded "VFRUse Only"becausethe**ll!~J14~** rotorcraftis notcertifiedforIFRflightperFAR21, AppendixB whichwould**a~Stt** limittheequipmenttoVFRu$9 only. Puetothe VFR limitation, a RFMS is not required perthe Advisory Circular, paragraph 9. • Removed 1 ea.**Honeywetlln~mational,lnc.** Ki76CTransponder, PIN 066-01156-0101, SIN 11822 and inslalll:ld 1 ea. Honeywell lnwmational,lnc. KT7f) ModeS fransponder, PIN 066..01141-0101, SIN 17'171 a$ a direct replacement. • Installed new Pointeret.T aattery, PIN 2020t NSN (battery expiration date 01/2009)• •· Installed new Pointer ELTAntenna, PIN 2006-10, NSN a$ 

### a dltect replac»mentforthe old antenna. • Rewired the cabin ICS and installed Bose beadsta provisions JAW eA DWG # AV.o07-6032. 

### The"'""""waswef9hed anda 

### --htandbalan,.was _,........**Thefllght-oal~~'?ol..,ft** .. approved for return to service for the above listed work. Reference: W/0 C07143EA-I:NO-**~** TOM S.ALMAN

. INSPJ!!CTOk FOR EDWARDS & ASSOCIATES, INC. FAA REPAIR STATJOtl FKFR930D
DATE Aoril10.2007 ACTT 107.7 SIN**~** ·INSP.EC'IlmTH£i MAKE: fOINt§WMODE&.:**~I** SISRW. HUMBElR: 408718 lil.TSYSTEM IN THIS AIRCRAFT ACCORDING TO APPUtAaLEAIRCAAl=T AND MANUFACTUReR'S INSTRUCTIONS ANDAPPLICABLE FAA DAN .AND FOUND THAT IT MEEfS THE REQUIREMENTS OF FAR 91.207{d). THE ELT BATTERY EXPIRES ON JANUARY 2009.

DATE Aprii1Q,2007 ACTT 107.7 SIN 56025,1CERTIFYTHATTHISTRANSPONDERMAKE: HQNEYWEI.L/MODEL: m!!ISIN: f7177HASBEEN TESTED,JNSPECTEDANOWASFOUNDTOMEETTHEREQUIREMENTSOFFAR91.411(a)(3), FAR91.413, FAR43,APP c) .F , APPENDIX F.

### LIST OFF 

### AA INSPECTIONS AND 

### FAACHECK FLIGHTS Operations Aircraft Ramp Inspections N7NU 04/16/08 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations

Maintenance Aircraft Inspections N7NU 06/03/09 Records Inspection Kenneth L. Bain Aviation Safety Inspector

- Maintenance N7NU 02/23/11 Spot Inspection Kenneth L. Bain Aviation Safety Inspector

- Maintenance
Avionics Aircraft Inspections N7NU 06/03/09 Records Inspection Larry 

### Dale Herner Aviation Safety Inspector

- Avionics N7NU 06/03/09 AD Compliance Inspection Larry 

### Dale Herner Aviation Safety Inspection .,...- Avionics

Observe Check Airmen Check Rides N7NU 04/15/08 Fritz A. 

### Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations N7NU 04/16/08 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations N7NU 03/09/10 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations

Airmen Flight Check Rides N7NU 04/15/08 Fritz A. 

### Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations N7NU 04/16/08 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations N7NU 02/13/09 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations N7NU 04/06/11 Fritz A. Heunemann Aviation Safety Inspector

- Operations 

### EXHIBIT 

# 1:13