AFS-11-386-E September 9, 2011

Exemption No. 10355 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2002-12171

Mr. Tim Smith President Universal Airlines, Inc. 207 Storehouse Drive Victoria, TX 77904

Dear Mr. Smith:

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 July 2, 2011, and supplemental information dated July 21, 2011, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of Universal Airlines, Inc. (Universal), for an exemption from § 91.9(a) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). That exemption allowed Universal to operate its DC-6A and DC-6B aircraft without complying with the zero fuel and landing weight requirements of the operating limitations prescribed for the aircraft in the FAA-approved flight manual. That exemption, however, expired on July 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 Universal.

The FAA issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 5388 (copy enclosed), the FAA found that operations with increased zero fuel and landing weights have been conducted previously with DC-6 aircraft under 14 CFR §§ 121.198 and 129.23, and the operating experience has been satisfactory and without any adverse effect on safety.2
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. 5388;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 5388 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 Universal Airlines, Inc., an exemption from 14 CFR § 91.9(a) to the extent necessary to permit Universal to operate its DC-6A and DC-6B aircraft without complying with the zer o fuel and landing weight requirements of the operating limitations prescribed for the aircraft in the FAA-approved flight manual, subject to the conditions and limitations described below.

Conditions and Limitations

1. The exemption will apply only to the DC-6A airplanes, registration numbers N170UA (45518) and N500UA (44597) operated by Universal Airlines, Inc.

2. The maximum zero fuel weight and landing weight must not exceed 87,360 pounds.

3. In addition to the normal inspection program, this airplane must be inspected in accordance with “Special Inspection Procedures for Cargo Operations,” Douglas Report LB-30673, as amended and approved by the FAA.

4. The airplane flight manual for each airplane operated under this exemption must be appropriately revised to include the operating limitations and information needed for operation at the increased weights.

5. A copy of this exemption must be included in the FAA-approved flight manual. This exemption terminates on September 30, 2013, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. Sincerely,

/s/ David Gillion Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosure