AFS-16-1837-E 

December 30, 2015 

 Exemption No. 11125A 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2014-0980 

Mr. Joseph R. Batten 

Director of Operations 

National Air Cargo Group, Inc. 

5955 TG Lee Blvd, Suite 500 

Orlando, FL 32822 

Dear Mr. Batten: 

This letter is to inform you that we have extended the time limit of Exemption No. 11125, but 

we have not changed the “Conditions and Limitations” of the exemption. It explains the basis 

for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions and limitations. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter dated September 25, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration 

(FAA) on behalf of National Air Cargo Group, Inc. (National Airlines), for an extension to 

and amendment of Exemption No. 11125. That time-limited exemption from §§ 91.9(a), 

91.1025(a), 121.135(a)(4), 121.135(b)(21), and 121.141 of Title 14, Code of Federal 

Regulations (14 CFR), allows National Airlines to not apply the forward emergency-landing 

load factor of 9G specified in § 25.561(b)(3)(ii) for restraint of cargo on the main deck of 

Boeing 747 series airplanes. It applies only to all-cargo flights originating in Afghanistan for 

transport of cargo for the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). The FAA’s 

determination for granting Exemption No. 11125 was based on the limited risk exposure of 

the DoD Afghanistan retrograde mission coupled with the importance of the mission as it 

related to US National Security. 

In your petition for extension to and amendment of Exemption No. 11125, 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. In Exemption No. 11125, the FAA 

provides its analysis of your substantiating data and reasons relative to public interest and 
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safety that are the same basis of this request for extension and amendment. Based on the FAA 

analysis presented therein, the FAA concludes that granting this exemption for all Boeing 747 

cargo operations is not in the public interest. 

Federal Register Publication 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested extension to and amendment of the exemption 

would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to 

National Airlines. 

Additional Information 

The FAA has held discussions with the DoD regarding air-carrier cargo operational support 

for DoD missions to remove/relocate military equipment in Afghanistan. The DoD has 

indicated that it will continue to conduct ongoing military operations in Afghanistan in 

support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The DoD has indicated that they will continue to 

use commercial carriers throughout 2016 to support its mission. By continuing to ease the 

current limitations in the air-carrier cargo operator manuals, extension of this exemption 

would allow the petitioner to better support the DoD mission. 

Our Decision 

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 11125, 

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 National Air Cargo Group, Inc. an exemption from §§ 91.9(a), 91.1025(a), 

121.135(a)(4), 121.135(b)(21), and 121.141, to not apply the forward emergency landing load 

factor of 9G specified in § 25.561(b)(3)(ii), for restraint of cargo on the main deck of Boeing 

747 series airplanes, subject to the conditions and limitations below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. This exemption applies only to all-cargo flights originating in Afghanistan for the 

transport of cargo for the United States Department of Defense, including all flight 

segments to reach the intended final destination, provided the cargo or method to 

secure the cargo is not altered or changed prior to reaching the final destination. 

2. All cargo must be secured for all flight loads as required by 14 CFR part 25, subpart 

C. This exemption provides no relief from 14 CFR part 25, subpart C, flight loads. 
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3. The flight crew must carry a copy of this exemption on all flights operated under this 

exemption. 

The Effect of Our Decision 

Our decision extends the termination date of Exemption No. 11125, to December 31, 2016, 

unless sooner superseded or rescinded. This letter must be attached to, and is a part of, 

Exemption No. 11125. 

Sincerely, 

//s// 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service