AFS-14-206-E

May 15, 2014

 Exemption No. 10576A

 Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2003-16403

Mr. Gary M. Dybdal

Director of Training

PSA Airlines, Inc.

3400 Terminal Drive

Vandalia, OH 45377

Dear Mr. Dybdal:

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your petition to extend Exemption 

No. 10576. It explains the basis for our decision, describes its effect, and lists the conditions 

and limitations.

The Basis for Our Decision

By letter dated February 21, 2014, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of PSA Airlines, Inc. (PSA) for an extension of Exemption No. 10576. That 

exemption from § 121.434(c)(1)(ii) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations allowed PSA to 

substitute a qualified and authorized check airman or aircrew program designee for an FAA 

inspector to observe a qualifying pilot in command (PIC) who is completing initial or upgrade 

training specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that includes a takeoff and a 

landing. 

In your petition, you indicate that there has been no change in the conditions and reasons 

relative to public interest and safety that were the basis for granting the original exemption.

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 PSA.
2

Our Decision

The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10576 

remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the 

authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 40113 and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has 

delegated to me, PSA Airlines is granted an extension of its exemption from 14 CFR 

§ 121.434(c)(1)(ii) that allows PSA to substitute a qualified and authorized check airman or 

aircrew program designee for an FAA inspector to observe a qualifying PIC who is 

completing initial or upgrade training specified in § 121.424 during at least one flight leg that 

includes a takeoff and a landing, subject to the following conditions and limitations.

Conditions and Limitations 

1. A PSA check airman or aircrew program designee may conduct a PIC observation 

in place of an FAA inspector when—

a. The Administrator preapproves that substitution for each observation of a 

qualifying PIC candidate, thus reserving first right of refusal to the FAA in 

each case. PSA, therefore, must contact an appropriate FAA office, in each 

instance, before substituting that check airman or aircrew program designee;

b. The qualifying PIC candidate has completed no less than 10 hours of 

supervised operating experience (OE) and accomplished no fewer than two 

takeoffs and landings; and

c. The qualifying PIC candidate is performing PIC duties during a complete flight 

leg, including flightdeck preparation, before starting engines checklist, taxi, 

takeoff, all other flight phases, landing, taxi, and securing checklist. 

2. Each PSA check airman or aircrew program designee conducting a PIC 

observation in place of an FAA inspector must—

a. Be approved by the Administrator to conduct the observation;

b. Have served as a check airman or aircrew program designee for PSA for no 

less than 6 months; and

c. Not supervise the OE or conduct the initial line check for the qualifying PIC 

candidate being observed.
3

3. PSA must maintain student, check airman, and aircrew program designee records 

that demonstrate compliance with the conditions and limitations of this exemption.

This exemption terminates on June 30, 2016, unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/s/

John Barbagallo

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service