AFS-10-112-E 

January 11, 2010 

 Exemption No. 9992 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2001-9369 

Mr. Robin Dooley 

Customs and Border Control Air & Marine 

1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. 

Washignton, DC 20229 

Dear Mr. Dooley: 

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 December 12, 2008, posted to regulations.gov on December 7, 2009, you 

petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of the Department of 

Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Customs 

and Border Protection Air and Marine (CBPAM) for an extension to Exemption No. 8813, as 

amended. That exemption from §§ 91.117(a), (b), and (c), 91.119(c), 91.159(a), and 

91.209(a)(1) and (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allows CBPAM to conduct air 

operations in support of drug law enforcement and drug traffic interdiction. That exemption, 

however, expired on January 31, 2009. Therefore, we will treat your request as a new 

petition. 

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

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to CBPAM. 

The FAA has issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 5504 (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found that drug interdiction and law enforcement air support operations are in the public 
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interest. Also, air safety regulations are similarly in the public interest, as they promote flight 

safety and the protection of life and property. 

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that— 

• they do not differ materially from those presented by the petitioner in the enclosed grant 

of exemption; 

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed exemption also apply to the 

situation you present; and 

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Our Decision 

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator 

has delegated to me, I hereby grant the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of Customs and Border Protection Air and 

Marine, an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.117(a), (b), and (c), 91.119(c), 91.159(a), and 

91.209(a)(1) and (b) to the extent necessary to conduct air operations in support of drug law 

enforcement and drug traffic interdiction, subject to the conditions and limits described 

below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. The pilot of an aircraft engaged in operations authorized herein is not relieved 

from the see and avoid requirements of § 91.113, Right-way-rules: Except water 

operations, or any other regulatory requirement not specifically relieved under this 

exemption. 

2. Operations under this exemption are authorized only to the extent necessary for 

the interdiction aircraft to obtain positive identification of, and maintain visual 

contact with, a suspect aircraft, vessel, or vehicle. 

3. When operating in noncompliance with the regulations under this exemption, the 

pilot must ensure that a dedicated observer, in addition to the pilot, is onboard the 

interdiction aircraft. The observer’s responsibility must be to assist the pilot in 

seeing and avoiding other aircraft. When use of a dedicated observer in the 

interdiction aircraft is not possible due to aircraft configuration, the use of primary 

radar equipment that is capable of detecting all aircraft operating in the vicinity of 

the interdiction aircraft, or a dedicated spotter aircraft with a qualified observer on 

board, may be used to assist the pilot of the interdiction aircraft in seeing and 

avoiding another aircraft. Spotter aircraft or aircraft having onboard primary radar 

equipment for the purpose of detecting other aircraft must maintain two-way radio 

communications with the interdiction aircraft with advisories regarding the relative 

positions of other aircraft in the area. Spotter aircraft and primary radar 

surveillance aircraft must be operated for the sole purpose of detecting other 
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aircraft in the vicinity and advising the pilot of the interdiction aircraft of potential 

collision hazards, and must not be engaged in the interdiction operation. 

4. Relief from the provisions of § 91.117(a) and (c) may be granted provided a 

dedicated observer having the sole responsibility to assist the pilot in detecting and 

avoiding other aircraft is on board the aircraft. Further, the FAA has determined 

that relief from the provisions of § 91.117(b) may be granted provided CBPAM 

pilot establishes two-way radio communication with the appropriate air traffic 

control tower (ATCT) controller, and maintains two-way radio communication 

with the appropriate ATCT before entering the affected ATCT’s airspace, 

complies with any instructions or clearances from the ATCT controller, and 

maintains two-way radio communication with the appropriate ATCT before 

entering the affected ATCT’s airspace, complies with any instructions or 

clearances from the ATCT controller, and maintains two-way radio 

communication with the ATCT for the duration of the operations within the 

ATCT’s airspace. Additionally, as in the case of relief from the provisions of § 

91.117(a) and (c), a dedicated observer must be on board the aircraft to watch for, 

and alert the pilot to, other aircraft. The use of ATC traffic advisory service, when 

available, is highly recommended. This grant of exemption, however, should not 

be construed as obligating any ATC facility to provide traffic advisory service and 

the receipt of ATC traffic advisory does not relieve the CBPAM pilot from the 

responsibility to see and avoid other aircraft. 

5. The FAA is authorizing CBPAM to operate its aircraft at altitudes in 

noncompliance with § 91.119(c): 

a. Only for law enforcement or drug interdiction operations in a missioncompromised situation; and 

b. Provided the CBPAM aircraft may be operated as close as 200 feet from the 

suspect but no closer than 500 feet from other persons, vehicles, vessels, or 

structures. 

6. The FAA is authorizing CBPAM to operate its aircraft at altitudes in 

noncompliance with § 91.159(a): 

a. Only to the extent necessary to obtain positive identification of a suspect 

aircraft and to maintain visual contact with that aircraft; and 

b. Provided a dedicated onboard observer will assist the pilot in seeing and 

avoiding other aircraft. A pilot of the CBPAM aircraft may not operate at an 

altitude in noncompliance with § 91.159(a) within ATCT controlled airspace 

unless specifically authorized by the ATC facility having jurisdiction over that 

airspace. Additionally, the CBPAM aircraft must be equipped with an 
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operable transponder with automatic altitude reporting capability (Mode C) 

that is replying on the appropriate code assigned by ATC. 

7. Operations in noncompliance with § 91.209(a)(1) and (b) are authorized only for 

those aircraft engaged in air interdiction operations and only when one of the 

following alternative means of deriving air traffic information is used: 

a. Primary radar equipment capable of detecting all aircraft operating within the 

vicinity of the interdiction aircraft; or 

b. Spotter aircraft operating in a position to visually detect other aircraft in the 

vicinity of the interdiction aircraft. Interdiction aircraft must maintain twoway radio communications with the spotter aircraft for the purpose of 

receiving air traffic information regarding other aircraft operating in the 

vicinity and for advising the pilot of the interdiction aircraft of potential 

collision hazards. Only CBPAM interdiction aircraft are authorized to operate 

without lighted position/anti-collision lights. Any other aircraft used by the 

petitioner as spotter aircraft or primary radar surveillance aircraft must be 

operated in compliance with § 91.209(a)(1) and (b). Interdiction aircraft must 

operate the aircraft’s position light to the maximum extent practicable and may 

only operate without lights when necessary to avoid detection by elements 

engaged in illegal drug activities. 

8. The pilot of the interdiction aircraft should: 

a. Establish two-way radio communication with the appropriate ATCT before 

entering the ATCT’s airspace area; 

b. Maintain two-way radio communication while within the affected ATCT’s 

airspace area; 

c. Comply with all instructions and clearances from the ATCT; and 

d. If available, should be receiving ATC advisory service form the ATCT. 

9. CBPAM must ensure that all pilots and crewmembers who will conduct airborne 

drug interdiction are thoroughly briefed and have a complete understanding of the 

conditions and limitations of this exemption. 
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10. The petitioner must ensure that all aircraft used to conduct operations under this 

exemption are equipped with a Mode C Transponder and that the transponder is 

operated on the appropriate code or as assigned by ATC. 

This exemption terminates on January 31, 2012, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John W. McGraw 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service 

Enclosure