AFS‐14‐191‐E

Exemption No. 11027 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2001-10800

July 23, 2014 

Mr. Ernest W. King III 

Vice President, Engineering 

Sierra Industries, Ltd. 

Garner Municipal Airport 

122 Howard Langford Drive 

Uvalde, TX 78801 

Dear Mr. King: 

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 March 5, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Sierra Industries, Ltd. (Sierra) for an extension of Exemption No. 10058, as amended. 

That exemption from §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1) and (2) of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR) allows Sierra to permit certain qualified pilots of its Cessna Citation 

model 500 (CE-500) series airplanes (serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 only) equipped with 

supplemental type certificate (STC) No. SA8176SW, STC No. SA09377SC, and either STC 

No. SA2172NM, STC No. SA645NW, or STC No. ST09559AC to operate those aircraft 

without a pilot who is designated as second in command (SIC). Exemption No. 10058 expired 

on April 30, 2014. Therefore, we will treat your request as a new petition. 

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 Sierra. 
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Our Decision

The FAA has amended some of the conditions and limitations to match other similar 

exemptions that have been granted to operators that do not hold an air agency certificate 

issued under part 142. While the relief granted does not change substantially, the petitioner 

should be directed to the new text because a few of the conditions and limitations have 

changed. 

In particular, the FAA notes that Exemption No. 10058A erroneously referenced part 142 

training program approval from the FAA Flight Standards District Office that has 

jurisdictional authority over Sierra Industry, Ltd. This reference has been removed. The FAA 

has amended Condition/Limitation #2 to require that Sierra receives and maintains approval 

of its single-pilot training program from the General Aviation and Commercial Division. 

This condition and limitation has been amended to describe the requirements for Sierra’s 

training program approval and to allow adequate time for Sierra to submit and receive 

approval for its required training manual. 

Also, on February 11, 2008, Sierra applied to expand the serial number range of aircraft for 

which this relief would be applicable. The serial number range, along with the reference to 

the Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs), noted in previous exemptions issued to Sierra 

were inadvertently omitted from Exemption No 10058A. Condition/Limitation Nos. 1, 6, 7, 

12, and 15 have been amended accordingly for clarity and to incorporate language used in 

previous exemptions issued to Sierra. 

Lastly, we have added a condition that limits this exemption to operations in the United 

States. If Sierra wishes to be able to operate under this exemption outside the United States, 

Sierra must make a request to the FAA in accordance with requirements of 14 CFR § 11.83 

with a petition for relief and give the FAA the reason for this use. 

The FAA has determined that the justification for issuance of Exemption No. 10058 remains 

valid with respect to this exemption 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 Sierra Industries, Ltd., an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.9(a) and 91.531(a)(1) and 

(a)(2) to the extent necessary to allow Sierra to permit certain qualified pilots of its Cessna 

Citation model 500 series airplanes (serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 only) equipped with STC 

No. SA8176SW, STC No. SA09377SC, and either STC No. SA2172NM, STC No. SA645NW, 

or STC No. ST09559AC to operate those aircraft without a pilot who is designated as SIC, 

subject to the conditions and limitations described below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption applies to pilots operating CE-500 airplanes (serial Nos. 0001 through 

0418 only) equipped with STC No. SA8176SW or STC No. SA09377SC and either STC 
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No. SA2172NM, STC No. SA645NW, or STC No ST09559AC) operated with a single 

pilot under the terms of this condition. 

2. The terms of this exemption are applicable for required training and checking upon FAA 

approval of Sierra’s single-pilot training program as described below. 

a. Sierra must forward a copy of its training manual to the FAA no later than 

30 days after the issuance date of this exemption. The manual can be 

submitted in paper form to the FAA, General Aviation and Commercial 

Division, (AFS-800), 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, 

D.C. 20591 or electronically to 9-afs-800-correspondence@faa.gov. 

b. Sierra must receive approval of its training manual no later than 90 days after 

the date of issuance of this exemption. 

c. The training manual and approval documentation must be made available 

immediately upon request by any representative of the FAA Administrator. 

3. The single-pilot operation described in this exemption may only be conducted under 

part 91. No part 135 operations are authorized under this exemption. 

4. Each pilot conducting single-pilot operations under the terms of this 

exemption must— 

a. Successfully complete Sierra’s CE-500 single-pilot training program 

before conducting such operations; 

b. Hold an airline transport pilot certificate with a CE-500 type rating or a 

commercial pilot certificate with an airplane instrument rating and CE-500 

type rating before training under Sierra’s CE-500 single-pilot training 

program; 

c. Have logged at least 1,000 hours of total pilot flight time, including at 

least 50 hours of night flight time; 75 hours of instrument flight time, 40 

hours of which are in actual instrument meteorological conditions; and 

500 hours as PIC, SIC, or both, in turbine-powered airplanes; 

d. Not perform any circling instrument approaches to minimums of less than 200 

feet and 1 mile above the published minimums until after completing 100 

hours of single-pilot flight experience in CE-500 series airplanes; 

e. Not perform any straight-in instrument approaches to minimums of less 

than 100 feet and one-half statute mile visibility above the published 
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minimums until after completing 100 hours of single-pilot flight 

experience in CE-500 series airplanes; 

f. Use a boom microphone; and 

g. Use a fully functioning autopilot that is controllable about three axes 

and capable of approach coupling. 

5. The CE-500 single-pilot initial authorization and authorization renewal 

curriculum must include–– 

a. Ground instruction appropriate to the CE-500 series airplane given by an 

instructor employed by Sierra (designated in accordance with Sierra’s 

approved procedures) that covers at least the following aeronautical 

knowledge areas: 

i. Weight and balance computations 

ii. Use of performance charts; 

iii. Significance and effects of exceeding airplane performance limitations; 

iv. Principles and functions of airplane systems; 

v. Maneuvers, procedures, and emergency 

operations; and 

 

vi. Night and high-altitude operations; and 

vii. Any additional training areas necessary to address safe operations of 

the airplane. 

b. Flight instruction appropriate to the CE-500 series airplane given by an 

instructor employed by Sierra (designated in accordance with Sierra’s 

approved procedures) that covers at least the following areas of operation: 

i. Preflight preparation; 

ii. Preflight inspection and procedures; 

iii. Taxiing; 

iv. Normal and crosswind takeoffs and departures; 

v. In-flight maneuvers including configuration changes, approaches 

to stalls, and steep turns; 
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vi. Simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant failure if 

accomplished in a flight simulator); 

vii. Instrument procedures; 

viii. Precision and nonprecision approaches; 

ix. Missed approaches; 

x. Landings and approaches to landings; 

xi. Normal and crosswind landings; 

xii. Landing with a simulated powerplant failure (actual powerplant 

failure if accomplished in a flight simulator); 

xiii. Normal and abnormal procedures; 

xiv. Emergency procedures; and 

xv. Post-flight procedures. 

6. The instruction required in Condition No. 5(b) may be completed in an approved 

flight simulator, qualified as–– 

a. A Level A or B flight simulator, provided the applicant satisfactorily 

accomplishes as part of the training program the following in-flight 

maneuvers and procedures as sole manipulator of the controls in a CE-500 

series airplane (for serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 equipped with either STC 

No. SA8176SW or STC No. SA09377SC and either STC No. SA2172NM, 

STC No. SA645NW, or STC No. ST09559AC): 

i. Exterior preflight inspection; 

ii. Taxiing; 

iii. Normal and crosswind takeoffs (minimum of three); 

iv. Normal and crosswind approaches and landings (minimum of three); 

v. Landing from a precision approach; 

vi. Missed approach 

vii. Approach and landing with a simulated powerplant failure; 
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viii. Normal approach and landing; 

ix. Landing from a circling approach; and 

x. Landing from a no flap or nonstandard flap approach 

b. A Level C or D flight simulator provided the applicant has performed at 

least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop as the sole 

manipulator of the flight controls in the CE-500 series airplane (for serial 

Nos. 0001 through 0418 equipped with either STC No. SA8176SW or 

STC No. SA09377SC and either STC No. SA2172NM, STC No. 

SA645NW, or STC No. ST09559AC) within the preceding 90 days. 

7. An applicant seeking to obtain or renew a single-pilot authorization under 

this exemption must–– 

a. Satisfactorily complete Sierra’s single-pilot training program; 

b. Satisfactorily complete the program’s required qualification 

module, consisting of a stand-alone proficiency check in either a 

CE-500 series airplane (for serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 equipped 

with either STC No. SA8176SW or STC No. SA09377SC and 

either STC No. SA2172NM, STC No. SA645NW, or STC 

No. ST09559AC), an appropriately qualified and approved flight 

simulator, or a combination thereof; 

c. Satisfactorily complete this proficiency 

check— 

i. Within 10 days of completing the training program; 

ii. For those applicants obtaining an initial authorization, the check 

must be under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA 

inspector, Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), or Training Center 

Evaluator (TCE) who is qualified and authorized to conduct 

either § 61.58 proficiency checks or type rating practical tests in 

CE-500 series flight simulators or airplanes (for serial Nos. 0001 

through 0418 equipped with either STC No. SA8176SW or STC 

No: SA09377SC and either STC No. SA2172NM, STC 

No. SA645NW, or STC No. ST09559AC), as appropriate; and 

iii. For those applicants renewing an authorization, the check must 

be under the supervision of an appropriately rated FAA inspector, 

DPE, TCE, or Pilot Proficiency Examiner (PPE) who is qualified 
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and authorized to conduct either § 61.58 proficiency checks or 

type rating practical tests in CE-500 series flight simulators or 

airplanes (for serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 equipped with either 

STC No. SA8176SW or STC No: SA09377SC and either STC 

No. SA2172NM, STC No. SA645NW, or STC No. 

ST09559AC), as appropriate. 

d. Satisfactorily complete all tasks listed in the Airline Transport Pilot and 

Aircraft Type Rating Practical Test Standards that are required for an 

initial CE-500 type rating; and 

e. Satisfactorily perform all maneuvers and procedures as a single pilot during 

the entire proficiency check. Training to proficiency during the check is not 

permitted, and failure of any maneuver shall result in failure of the 

proficiency check. 

8. The circling approach requirement must be accomplished in an airplane or in 

a simulator that is qualified for the circling approach task. 

9. Until the circling approach task has been satisfactorily demonstrated to an FAA 

inspector or FAA-designated examiner in an airplane or in a simulator that is 

qualified and approved for the circling approach task–– 

a. The applicant’s records will be annotated with the statement, 

―Demonstration of circling approach was not accomplished; and 

b. The applicant must not perform circling approaches as the PIC when 

weather conditions are less than the weather minimums for visual flight 

rules. 

10. A person who previously has received a single-pilot authorization in a different 

Cessna Citation model 500, 550, S550, 552, or 560 airplane must complete Sierra’s 

single-pilot differences training course to obtain a single-pilot authorization for a 

model covered under this exemption. 

11. All flight training conducted in accordance with this exemption conducted in a 

CE-500 series airplane must be given by a flight instructor employed by Sierra 

who also meets the requirements of Condition/Limitation No. 5 of this 

exemption. 

12. A person requesting single-pilot authorization must satisfactorily accomplish 

ground and flight simulator training in accordance with the FAA-approved singlepilot training program and must receive training on the differences between the 

model presented by the simulator in which training is received and the model of 
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Cessna Citation (for serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 equipped with either STC No. 

SA8176SW or STC No. SA09377SC and either STC No. SA2172NM, STC 

No. SA645NW, or STC No. ST09559AC) for which single-pilot authorization is 

requested. 

13. A single-pilot authorization will be valid for 12 calendar months. A person who 

renews a single-pilot authorization in the calendar month before or after the 

calendar month in which it is due is considered to have renewed the single-pilot 

authorization when due. 

14. Successful completion of the proficiency check used in the single-pilot initial 

authorization and authorization renewal training program identified in Condition/ 

Limitation No. 7 satisfies the requirements of PIC proficiency check required by 

§ 61.58(a)(1) and (2). 

15. All CE-500 make and model airplanes (serial Nos. 0001 through 0418 only) 

permitted to be used under the terms of this grant of exemption must have the 

following equipment installed and operational: 

a. Pratt & Whitney (P&W) JT15D-1A engines (by STC No. SA8176SW), P&W 

JT15D-4 engines (by STC No. SA09377SC), or Williams FJ44-2A engines 

(by STC No. 09559AC); 

b. An autopilot with approach coupling capability; 

c. A flight director system; 

d. A boom microphone; 

e. A transponder “ident” switch on the pilot’s control wheel; and 

f. STC SA2172NM or STC SA645NW. 

16. Each person must carry a copy of this exemption and a record from Sierra 

documenting successful completion of its training and checking requirements 

aboard the airplane when operating under the terms of the exemption. 

17. Upon request, Sierra must provide any representative of the FAA Administrator 

with an analysis of training and checking operations conducted under this 

exemption with respect to program failure rates, extra training time required, 

accident and incident data, and any known problem areas. 

18. Sierra must maintain records and make them available, when requested, to any 

representative of the FAA Administrator. These records must include all 

information required by § 142.73(a), 142.73(c)(1), 142.73(e), and— 
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a. The dates of training enrollment and completion for each trainee who 

enrolls in Sierra’s CE-500 single-pilot training program; 

b. The name and number of additional training hours needed by those trainees 

who require more flight training than prescribed in the FAA-approved 

training program to pass the initial authorization or authorization renewal; 

c. The name of each trainee who failed to satisfactorily complete Sierra’s 

CE-500 single-pilot training program (or withdrew from the program) and 

the reasons for the failure of withdrawal; and 

d. The name, certificate number, and address of each person who is 

authorized to operate under this exemption. 

19. No person may provide training nor may any person receive training while 

passengers are aboard any aircraft operating for the purpose of meeting the 

training or checking requirements of this exemption. 

20. This exemption is valid only for aircraft configured for operation by a single pilot 

seated in the left pilot seat. The privileges of this exemption are prohibited for any 

aircraft with the landing gear lever positioned anywhere to the right of the center of 

the aircraft. 

21. The approved training program authorized by this exemption may not be 

conducted under any business name other than Sierra Industries, Ltd. 

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

The Effect of Our Decision

This exemption terminates on July 31, 2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John Barbagallo 

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service