Chuck Curry 

Sherriff- Coroner 

Flathead County 

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

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February 5, 2014 ( • I 

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U.S. Department of Transportation 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/relief from the following regulation: 

14 CPR Part 133.45(e)(l) 

Operations 

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Flathead County Sherriff is 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 of rescue 

personnel and extraction of victims. Normal crew consists of one 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 of the 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/relief from 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 of this CPR for operations below an altitude of approximately 1500' msl. 

Unfortunately most of the 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 of operations are typically between 0-15 degrees C and mission 

operating weight of approximately 6200 lbs. The 2 minute OEI hover requirements of this 

regulation are not achievable as per the 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 

2100 2200 2300 2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 

I 3800 

12000 ~ I ADEQUATE CONTROL MARGINS HAVE 3800 

~ BEEN DEMONSTRATED IN THE f11000 FOLLOWING WIND CONDITIONS: f- 3400 

1\. ~ f- 3200 1\. UPTO 35 KTS - ALL AZIMUTHS 

10000 '\ ,'\ UP TO 50 KTS - :t30' OFF NOSE f.- 3000 1\. UP TO 60 KTS - :t15" OFF NOSE f9000 '\ 1\. ~ 2600 Cl) 

... '\ '\ l'\v0 2600 a: w w w '\ I'\ 1\. 0 ... 1&. 8000 '\ i'\ ~ 2400 w 1\. 1'\. :E 

w 1\. I'\ ~ ..-·20 2200 . Q 7000 .I\. '\ 1"- 1\. ~ o-f,. w :::1 2000 Q 

t: 1'\. i'\ . '\ I'\ 1\. f§;: "1:\ ... 6000 E 1'\ '\ '\ '\. I& .... 1800 

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4600 4800 5000 5200 5400 5600 5800 6000 6200 5400 6600 6800 7000 :a: 

GROSS WEIGHT • LBS 

Figure 4-6. Hover Ceiling OGE (Sheet 5 of 6) 

4-22 Rev. 4 10 NOV 2010 ECCN EAR99 
The 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 

AIR COND. OFF I HEATER OFF 

ENGINE RPM 100% 

GENERATORS 150 AMPS EACH 

<S 19 000 FT H , ,_ - __ ' - D 

~y ~ v _lL _j~~ -J-J-d • / / 17 000 FT·Ho 

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1/ v ,.$ ~ / r\ 13.000 FT H 

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GROSS WEIGHT • KG x 100 

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GROSS WEIGHT • LBS x 100 

Figure 4-6. Hover Ceiling OGE (Sheet 1 of 6) 

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4·18 Rev. 3 16 JUL 2010 ECCN EAR99 
Summary 

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 by the 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". We have 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 if we conduct a Class D operation. 

This exemption/relief is 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 of an 

engine failure. It may not meet the Category A hover performance at a given altitude, but it is 

still capable of producing 2/3rds of its two-engine power. The single engine service ceiling at 

6,500 lbs at ISA is 10, 730' msl. This means that in the event of an engine failure at 7 ,500' msl 

the pilot can use the 30 second OEI performance to either complete or terminate the hoist and 

still transition into forward flight and safely fly away. This is in stark contrast to the currently 

available option of using 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 of the United 

States. 

Sincerely, 

~6- Flathead County Sherriff