ARMSTR NG 

AEROSPACE 

February 20, 2013 

Attention: Paul Bernado 

Acting Manager, Airplane & Flightcrew Interface, ANM-111 

Transport Standards Staff 

Transport Airplane Directorate 

Aircraft Certification Office 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Exemption to 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11 (c) 

Mr. Bernado, 

I received your petition response letter dated February 6, 2013. Thank you for taking the time to respond 

to the Armstrong Aerospace exemption request in a timely manner. I believe many of your questions were 

addressed in the initial submission but I have attempted to better organize the exemption request content 

to better align with the guidance of 14 CFR 11.81(a) through (h). 

This exemption application has also been refined to include only 14 CFR Part 26.11 (c). As Armstrong 

Aerospace is a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) applicant for these Transmitting Portable Electronic 

Device (TPED) Compatibility STC projects the FAA is correct in asserting that only 14 CFR Part 26.11(c) 

is applicable. · 

Additionally, a request has been made by Armstrong Aerospace to forego the public comment process. 

Enclosed you will find the updated exemption application (Updated Exemption Application to 14 CFR Part 

26, Subpart B, § 26.11(c)). I attempted to update the submitted .exemption application online via comment 

on public docket number FAA-2013-0103. However, there are technical problems that prevented me from 

uploading a file. I submitted a technical help request and will follow-up With submittal of the file as a new 

comment as soon as the technical issue is resolved. 

Please confirm receipt of this updated exemption application at your earliest convenience. I am also 

available by phone to facilitate a discussion ifneeded. 

Enclosed: 

Original Exemption Application to 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11 

Updated Exemption Application to 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11 (c) 

U _ S _DOT _FAA_ -_Acknowledgement_ letter _Receipt 

Sincerely, 

Anthony Pilcher 

Director, Technology, Innovation & Compliance 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

1437 Harmony Ct. 

Itasca, IL 60143 www.armstrongaerospace.com (630) 285-0200 Phone 

(630) 285~0201 Fax 
Anthony. Pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 ext. 112 

Cc: 

Jamie Lutkus 

Certification Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Jamie.Lutkus@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 ext. 131 

Allen Boettcher 

Senior Program Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace Inc. 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Allen. Boettcher@Armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 x1 08 

1437 Harmony Ct. 

Itasca, IL 60143 www.armstrongaerospace.com (630) 285-0200 Phone 

(630) 285.0201 Fax 
ARMSTR NG 

AERO,SPACE 

January31; 2013 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Exemption to 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11 

To whom it may concern, 

Armstrong Aerospace is seeking a complete exemption from he Electrical Wiring l.ntercannection 

Systems (EWIS) maintenance requirements of 14 CFR Part 6.11 for STC application~ to certify aircraft 

compatibility with cellular and wireless data technologies, i.e. tansmitthig Portable Electronic Device 

(TPED.) Compatibility STC projects. This request is for a com 'lete exemption from 14 CFR Part 26.11. 

These TPED Compatibility STC projects do not physteany m()· if,y the aircraft, install any new equipment 

or wiring, or alter existing wiring in ~my way. As such, the EWI maintenance requirements of 14 CFR 

Part 26.11 are not appli~ble and exemption from this rule ha no impact on flight safety. 

This exemption would also benefit the publfc for other, similar STC projects which do not physically 

modify the aircraft, install any new equipment or wiring:, or alt .r existing wiring In any way. 

Sincerely, 

Anthony Pilcher 

Director, Technology, Innovation & Compliance 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL60143 

Anthony. Pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285~0200 ext. 112 

Cc: 

Jamie Lutkus 

Certification Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Jamie. Lutkus@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285·0200 ext. 131 

Allen Boettcher 

Senior Program Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace Inc. 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Allen'.Boettcher@Armstrongaerospace.com 

{630) 285~0200 x1 os 

143.71:f•nnony Ct. 

lmsc•, IL 60143 www.•nnstrongaerosp•ce.com (630) 285.0200 Phone 

(630) 235.0201 Fax 
ARMSTR NG 

AEROSPACE 

February 20, 2013 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Operations, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590 

Re: Updated Exemption Application to 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11(c) 

To whom it may concern, 

Armstrong Aerospace is seeking an exemption from the Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) 

maintenance requirements of 14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, for Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 

applications to certify aircraft compatibility with cellular and wireless data technologies, i.e. Transmitting 

Portable Electronic Device (TPED) Compatibility.STC projects. This request is for an exemption from 14 

CFR Part 26.11 (c). 

Per the guidance of 14 CFR 11.81 (a) through (h), the following items are addressed as part of this 

exemption request: 

(a) Your name and mailing address and, if you wish, other contact information such as a fax 

number, telephone number, or e-mail address 

Anthony Pilcher 

Director, Technology, Innovation & Compliance 

Armstrong Aerospace 

Address: 1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Email: Anthony. Pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com 

Telephone; (630) 285-0200 ext. 112 

(b) The specific section or sections of 14 CFR from which you seek exemption 

14 CFR Part 26, Subpart B, § 26.11 (c) 

(c) The extent of relief you seek and the reasons for seeking the relief 

This request is for a complete exemption from 14 CFR Part 26. 11(c) forSTC applications to certify aircraft 

compatibility with cellular and wireless data technologies, i.e. Transmitting Portable Electronic Device 

(TPED) Compatibility STC projects. 

These TPED Compatibility STC projects do not physically modify the aircraft, install any new equipment 

or wiring, or alter existing wiring in any way. As such, the EWIS maintenance requirements of 14 CFR 

Part 26.11(c) are not applicable and exemption from this rule has no impact on flight safety. 

(d) The reasons why granting your request would be in the public interest; that is, how it 

would benefit the public as a whole 

This exemption would also benefit the public for other, similar STC projects which do not physically 

modify the aircraft, install any new equipment or wiring, or alter existing wiring in any way. 

(e) The reason why granting the exemption would not adversely affect safety, or how the 

exemption would provide a level of safety at least equal to that provided by the rule from 

which you seek exemption 

1437 Harmony Ct. 

Itasca, IL 60143 www.armstrongaerospace.com (630) 285-0200 Phone 

(630) 285-0201 Fax 
Please reference the Armstrong Aerospace response to item 14 CFR 11.81 (c) above. This exemption has 

no impact on flight safety. 

(f) A summary we can publish in the Federal Register, stating: 

(1) The rule from which you seek the exemption; and 

(2) A brief description of the nature of the exemption you seek 

Please reference the Armstrong Aerospace response to item 14 CFR 11.81(c) above for a summary that 

can be published in the Federal Register. 

(g) Any additional information, views, or arguments to support your request 

None. 

(h) If you want to exercise the privileges of your exemption outside the United States, the 

reason{s) you need to do so 

These TPED Compatibility STC projects do result in validated STCs with foreign CAAs. However, to date 

most of the foreign CAAs that have issued STCS for these TPED Compatibility projects do not have an 

equivalent 14 CFR Part 26.11(c) regulation. If a foreign CAA does have an equivalent (or nearly 

equivalent) 14 CFR Part 26.11 (c) regulation Armstrong Aerospace would exercise the privilege of this 

exemption to align the applicable FAA and foreign CAA regulations. 

Additionally, Armstrong Aerospace would like to request that the FAA forego the public comment process. 

Armstrong Aerospace is aware that other applicants have requested and received an exemption from 14 

CFR Part 26.11 (c) for projects that do not install any wiring or alter existing wiring in any way. As such, 

granting this exemption does not set a precedent and would be consistent with identical, previously 

granted exemptions. Per 14 CFR 11.87(a) and (b), both of these reasons support the FAA foregoing the 

public comment process. 

Sincerely, 

Anthony Pilcher 

Director, Technology, Innovation & Compliance 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Anthony.Pilcher@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 ext. 112 

Cc: 

Jamie Lutkus 

Certification Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

Jamie.Lutkus@armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 ext. 131 

Allen Boettcher 

Senior Program Manager 

Armstrong Aerospace Inc. 

1437 Harmony Court, Itasca, IL 60143 

1437 Harmony Ct. 

Itasca, IL 60143 www.armstrongaerospace.com (630) 285-0200 Phone 

(630) 285-0201 Fax 
Allen.Boettcher@Armstrongaerospace.com 

(630) 285-0200 x1 08 

1437 Harmony Ct. 

Itasca, IL 60143 www.armstrongaerospace~com (630) 285-0200 Phone 

(630) 285-0201 Fax 
D 

lJ.S. DSPOttm(:;)nt 

<>f Tronspoi'tatton 

F•cttrar Avlc:Jfi()rl AclminlStrattcSn 

Rebruary 6, 2013 

Mr. William A:. Pilcher 

Dir~ctor, T~chnolog~; ln.novtttion& Compfiance A:rmsttong Aerospa¢e 

l4JTHarm.ony Court 

Itasca, IL, 6tl:l43 

Oear Mr. Pilcher: 

Tra~sportAi~tane ·oireolo"'t' 

1601 Lintt~venue, $.\N. · Renton, Washington 980$7•3~66 

We have'receive<;l ypur petiti~p, dated.Jartuary 31, 2013, on b~}lalf~ff\rtillstteng .Aerospac~~ 

requesting.·exem}1tiemfrom ~: 26.11. of Title J;4, C(()cle of Fed,e!!al ~~J:Jlations:(l4.CFR), for 

Supplemental· Type.eertificatec fS'FG)appii¢attQrrs·t0 c~ttify aii'c~~ cpmp~ti~ility with 

cellular and. wireless data technologies, .i.e., Tt.tlHS,Initt:in$'~Prtabl~Electronic. Device 

(TP:SD} Cornpatibitity·S'fC ptojectSi ... 

Your petition has b'e«n added to public dool<et no. FA.A.;~OJ3:..0l03: and is available on the 

Internet at regulations.gov. 

Befor~e we can ¢ontin1.1e proCessing Yotltpefitiol'l, we r;eqt:J;il'e 3.ddftioJ,l~l'~nfofm:lation. 

Note that. in 14 c:FR 26~ stibJ*ld g- EnhaneedAirworthinessProgramforAirplane Systems~ § 26.1. t(ckbt1t not tile. ¢1ttitety ofJ~2().l1, ~pecificaU~ Et~P~iesJp·applicants se~~in.~ 

eitberame.nde4.or supplemental typ~ certi~cat~s. {'llea$eidentify'tbi~ specific area of§ 26;11, 

ifyou te~submit your petition, or clarify why you requestex«mption·from the entirety of §~6,11. . 

Pb~ase also address 14 CFR fl.St(a) thraugh(h)·regardingthe information the FAA requires 

to>pto.cess your petiti:pn:f0rexemptiqn, which a:t;e· Sl.ll'l'J1illarized: here: 

• The specific·section or sections of 14 CER from WhiCh you seek exemption. 

• The e~tent :et' relief you seek and the reasot~s for seekins the relief. 

• The reasons why granting. your request would t).ein the public interest; that is, 

how it would benefit the puhUc as a whol~. 

• The reasonwhy granting the:e!!Cemptiort Wf>uld not adversely affectsarety,'or 

how the. exemption would provide a levetofsafetyatleast ettuaitothat 

provided by the:rule£tom whichyo.u seek exemption. 

• l\t1y adc(i:tional :information, views, or. aTgwrtent~ to Su}\)}lOrf; your request, and; 
• If you want tQ exe~is~thepriviJeges ·ofyQtJt exemption outsic;le the United 

S.tates-, the reas.on(s) youneedtodo 86. 

S~ction l 1~8$ requires.~ to publish a. sUtl1mary ()f youtp~>t1tic;),-..fPf ~xempd.on in the. . . ... ···· Federal Registerf&rpubliecomment. Uponteeeipt'ofcomplt}teihformation, the FAA wilt 

summarize your petition for publication .in the FetleralRegister .. Qt'tlerwise, § 11.87 allows 

you to present reasons~ or the FAA to find. good cause:. as.·tQ why, we·.may forego the public .. comment pro~s. ·· 

Please re-submit your petition to address these i~ues, ot submit a brief letter withdraWing 

your petition if Armstrong Aerospace CAADOt address these issu:~. 

We will advise you ofour rmatdecision on your pet1tiort;.assoon as possible after receiving the additional information. 

If you have questions in the meantime~ pleueeontaet·Steve Slotte at €425:}'227-2315. 

Paul Bemado 

Acting Mat1ager, Airplane & Flightcrew Interface, ANM.;.tll 

Transport Standards/Staff 

Transport Airplane Directorate 

Aircraft Certification Serv.ice