### Chuck Curry Sherriff- Coroner Flathead County

920 South Main Street •Kalispell •Montana • 59901 • (406) 758-5585 • (406) 758-2420 fax

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...c·:· February 5, 2014

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U.S. Department ofTransportation Docket Operations West Bldg Ground Floor Room W12-140 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE Washington DC 20590

Re: Petition for Exemption 

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Flathead County Sherriff, 920 S. Main Street, Kalispell, Montana 59901 is requesting an exemption/relieffrom the following regulation:

14 CPR Part 133.45(e)(l) Operations _;

Flathead County Sherriffis operating a Bell429 Helicopter for Public Use Safety I Search and Rescue operations in northwest Montana. This aircraft is twin engine helicopter certified under transport Category A. The helicopter is equipped with an external hoist for insertion ofrescue personnel and extraction ofvictims. Normal crew consists ofone pilot, one hoist operator and
one rescue specialist. The crew is certified for hoist operations and maintains an approved training curriculum to ensure proficiency and safety in all operations. The elevation ofthe valley floor is 2932 feet MSL and the surrounding area is mountainous with peaks up to 10,000 feet MSL. Typical missions are between 2932' msl and 7,500' msl.

We are seeking exemption/relieffrom 14 CPR Part 133.45(e)(l) "The rotorcraft to be used must have been type certificated under transport Category A for the operating weight and provide hover capability with one engine inoperative at that operating weight and altitude." We meet the requirements ofthis CPR for operations below an altitude ofapproximately 1500' msl. Unfortunately most ofthe missions requiring Class D human loads are in Glacier National Park and the surrounding mountains between 2932' msl and 7,500' msl.Temperatures in the area ofoperations are typically between 0-15 degrees C and mission operating weight ofapproximately 6200 lbs. The 2 minute OEI hoverrequirements ofthis regulation are not achievable as perthe performance charts listed in the Manufacturer's Flight Manual Supplement.

BHT -429-FM-1

2 MINUTE OEI POWER ENGINE RPM 104% GENERATOR 150 AMPS TCAPPROVED

HOVER CEILING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT

GROSS WEIGHT • KGS SKID HEIGHT 60FT (18.3 METER) BASIC INLET OR BARRIER FILTER

AIR COND. OFF I HEATER OFF

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1\. UPTO 35 KTS

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4-22 Rev. 4 10 NOV 2010 ECCN EAR99The performance charts for both engines operative show operational limits to 12,000' msl at the
same temperatures and operating weight as listed above.

BHT -429·FM·1 TCAPPROVED

HOVER CEILING OUT OF GROUND EFFECT

TAKEOFF POWER SKID HEIGHT 60FT (18.3 METER) BASIC iiNLET OR BARRIER FILTER 1

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4·18 Rev. 3 16 JUL 2010 ECCN EAR99Summary Currently, when a rescue mission requires insertion or extraction, the options are very limited. Usually a call is made to a Canadian helicopter service and the mission is accomplished with a single engine helicopter with a belly strap doing a short-haul. As is referenced bythe FAR's this is not an approved operation. In addition, most public entities across the United States performing short-hauls and hoists, are doing so with single engine helicopters under the guise of "Public Use". Wehave been in contact with our local FSDO and they have stated that even under "Public Use" operations these entities are in violation of 14 CFR Part 133.45(e)(l). This
means that they will pursue a violation ifwe conduct a Class D operation.

This exemption/reliefis in the public's best interest. 

### It provides a safer alternative to anything available. We will be operating a helicopter that has "fly-away" performance in the event ofan engine failure. 

### It may not meet the Category A hover performance at a given altitude, but it is still capable ofproducing 2/3rds ofits two-engine power. The single engine service ceiling at 6,500 lbs at ISA is 10,730' msl. This means that in the event ofan engine failure at 7,500' msl the pilot can use the 30 second OEI performance to either complete orterminate the hoist and still transition into forward flight and safely fly away. This is in stark contrast to the currently available option ofusing a single engine helicopter with a fixed line attached to the belly.

The crew is trained in emergency operations and maintains proficiency through an extensive training program. The aircraft is maintained as per Manufacture HMI, applicable FAR's and maintains a Standard airworthiness. The exemption is not required for use outside ofthe United States.

Sincerely,

# ~6- Flathead County Sherriff