AIR-16-0004

March 14, 2016

 Exemption No. 15422

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-8564

Mr. Stewart Hamel

SkyRunner, LLC

2929 Baird Road, Building 50

Shreveport, LA 71118

Dear Mr. Hamel:

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 29, 2015, and supplemental information submitted January 20, 

2016, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on behalf of SkyRunner, 

LLC (SkyRunner) for an exemption from §§ 21.190(c)(2) and 21.191(i)(3) of Title 14, Code 

of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) to the extent necessary to allow SkyRunner powered 

parachute (PPC) to be eligible for the issuance of a special airworthiness certificate in the 

light-sport category even though the aircraft exceeds a maximum takeoff weight of 1,320 

pounds (600 kilograms) for aircraft not intended for operation on water. In addition, the relief 

sought would allow any SkyRunner PPC special category light-sport aircraft (LSA)/special 

light-sport aircraft (SLSA) to be converted to experimental light-sport aircraft (ELSA) for 

operation in accordance with § 21.191(i)(3).

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 SkyRunner.

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

those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No. 10299 and Exemption 

No. 10450 (copies enclosed), the FAA found that the petitioner was seeking exemptions to 

permit the issuance of a special airworthiness certificate for SLSA and ELSA for its Maverick 
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PPC. Currently, PPCs certificated for these purposes are limited to maximum takeoff weight 

(MTOW) of 1,320 pounds (600 kilograms). However, aircraft intended for operation on water 

may be certificated with an MTOW of 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms). The FAA established 

these requirements in the final rule “Certification of Aircraft and Airmen for the Operation of 

Light-Sport Aircraft” (69 FR 44772; July 27, 2004). The final rule permitted LSA intended 

for operation on water to have an increased MTOW. It did not contemplate the issuance of 

special airworthiness certificates in the light-sport category for aircraft that could also be 

operated on public roads as presented by the petitioner. The agency has determined that the 

safe conduct of operations while in flight and on water necessitates an MTOW for SLSA that 

is higher than that specified for SLSA not intended for operation on water. The petitioner 

should be afforded similar relief for an aircraft design that is also intended for operation on 

public roads.

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 grants of Exemption No. 10299 and Exemption No. 10450;

 the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed grants of Exemption 

No. 10299 and Exemption No. 10450 also apply to the situation you present; and 

 the reasons stated herein and in grants 

of Exemption No. 10299 and Exemption No. 10450, a grant of exemption is in the public 

interest.

Our Decision

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant SkyRunner, LLC an exemption from 

14 CFR § 21.190(c)(2) to the extent necessary to allow SkyRunner PPC with an MTOW of 

not more than 1,430 pounds (650 kilograms), that otherwise meet the requirements of 

§ 21.190, to be eligible for issuance of a special airworthiness certificate in the light-sport 

category, subject to the conditions and limitations described below. In addition, SkyRunner 

PPC SLSA are eligible for issuance of an ELSA airworthiness certificate under 

14 CFR § 21.191(i)(3).

Conditions and Limitations 

1. T

his grant of exemption applies only to the SkyRunner PPC model number MK 3.2.

2. E

ach person operating a SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of this 

exemption must comply with all Federal, state, and local laws and regulations 

applicable to the operation of a powered parachute from any street, road, or 

highway when such operations are conducted.
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3. E

ach SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of this exemption must 

have an installed and operable ground-drive system with reversing capability that 

propels the aircraft in ground mode through a wheel or wheels in contact with the 

road surface while the air propulsion system is static.

4. T

he aircraft's operating instructions must contain specific instructions for each mode 

of operation, to include roadable mode and the transition between modes of 

operation.

5. S

kyRunner must supply each purchaser of a SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under 

the provisions of this exemption with a copy of the exemption. A copy of the 

exemption must be carried on board each aircraft.

6. S

kyRunner must maintain a current record of all owners of SkyRunner MK 3.2

certificated under the provisions of this exemption. The record must be made 

available to the FAA upon request.

7. S

kyRunner may issue a Manufacturer's Statement of Compliance (FAA Form 8130-

15) for each SkyRunner MK 3.2 with an MTOW of not more than 1,430 pounds 

(650 kilograms) provided the aircraft meets the provisions of the identified 

consensus standards.

8. N

o person may operate a SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of 

this exemption unless it is registered and licensed for road use by a Federal, state,

or local licensing authority, and the equipment required for road use is installed 

and operable on the aircraft.

9. L

icensing and registration of the SkyRunner MK 3.2 for road use is the 

responsibility of the aircraft owner/operator, and is independent of FAA 

airworthiness certification. When operated in roadable configuration, the operator 

must adhere to all Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to its 

operation.

10. W

hen operating the SkyRunner MK 3.2 in flight mode, the operator must adhere to 

all applicable general operating rules and flight rules for aircraft in 

14 CFR Part 91.
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11. E

ach person operating a SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of this 

exemption must operate the aircraft in accordance with the assigned operating 

limitations that form a part of the Special Airworthiness Certificate.

12. T

he SkyRunner MK 3.2 contains equipment not traditionally found in certificated 

aircraft. Any maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs, or alterations of 

equipment necessary for road use must be addressed in the aircraft's maintenance 

and inspection procedures.

13. A

SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of this exemption may not be 

operated by a person exercising the privileges of a sport pilot certificate.

14. A

person exercising the privileges of a repairman certificate (LSA) may not perform 

work on a SkyRunner MK 3.2 certificated under the provisions of this exemption.

This exemption terminates on March 31, 2021, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

//SIGNED//

Pat Mullen

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate

Aircraft Certification Service

Enclosures

Exemption No. 10299

Exemption No. 10450
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Project No.: AXX-xx-xxx-E

Project Officer: _______________

ARM-208:ACopeland:xx/xx/xx:Doc#

ARM-1/200/207:Program Office [AFS- ]