AFS-12-460-E 

August 10, 2012 

 Exemption No. 10599 

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2012-0740 

Captain Mickey Moman 

Director of Training 

Mesa Airlines 

410 North 44th Street 

Phoenix, AZ 85008 

Dear Capt. Moman: 

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 June 29, 2012, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on 

behalf of Mesa Airlines (Mesa) for an exemption from §§ 61.39(a)(1) and (b)(1)(i) and 

61.157(b) and (c) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). That exemption, if 

granted, would allow a second in command (SIC) to use an expired knowledge test when 

applying for the practical test for an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate or a type rating 

completed concurrently with an ATP certificate after successful completion of an approved 

part 121 SIC training program. The exemption would also allow completion of a part 121 air 

carrier's approved SIC qualification training program to satisfy the training and endorsement 

requirements in § 61.157(b). 

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 Mesa. 

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. 10556 (copy enclosed), the FAA 
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found that approved part 121 SIC training programs provide extensive training specific to the 

aircraft type and the part 121 operation in which the pilot will be serving. Allowing SICs to 

utilize the exceptions in §§ 61.39(b)(1) and 61.157(c) after successfully completing an air 

carrier's approved SIC training program will minimize the burden on part 121 certificate 

holders as they prepare to schedule the training hours and certification activities required to 

provide ATP certification to the large number of first officers who currently hold commercial 

pilot certificates. This exemption serves the public interest as it will allow carriers to 

certificate their SICs in advance of the August 2013 deadline set forth in Public Law 111-216 

without disruption of service or a compromise to safety. 

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

 they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No. 10556; 

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 10556 

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 44701which the FAA Administrator 

has delegated to me, I hereby grant Mesa Airlines an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 61.39(a)(1) 

and (b)(1)(i) and 61.157(b) and (c) to the extent necessary to allow a SIC to use an expired 

knowledge test when applying for the practical test for an ATP certificate or a type rating 

completed concurrently with an ATP certificate after successful completion of an approved 

part 121 SIC training program. The exemption would also allow completion of a part 121 air 

carrier's approved SIC qualification training program to satisfy the training and endorsement 

requirements in § 61.157(b), subject to the conditions and limitations described below. 

Conditions and Limitations 

1. SICs must meet the eligibility requirements for ATP certification in § 61.153, the 

applicable flight proficiency requirements in § 61.157, and the aeronautical experience 

requirements in § 61.159. 

2. SICs must successfully pass a proficiency check conducted by an Aircrew Program 

Designee for the air carrier, a Training Center Evaluator authorized to conduct ATP 

certification for the air carrier through a check pilot authorization, or an FAA 

inspector in accordance with the provisions of § 61.157(f) and § 61.71(b). Under an 

Advanced Qualification Program (AQP), SICs must meet the certification 

requirements identified in § 121.919 as approved within the specific air carrier's AQP. 

3. The approved SIC training program must include training on any tasks and maneuvers 

required for ATP certification for which the SIC has not previously received flight 
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training in new hire, initial, transition, or recurrent training, or, under AQP, 

Indoctrination, Qualification, or Continuing Qualification. 

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2014, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

/s/ 

John S. Duncan 

Acting Director, Flight Standards 

 Service 

Enclosure