NBAA’s Small Aircraft Exemption Extended With New Benefits for Eligible Members

Washington, DC, March 31, 2017 – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a 24-month extension to the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA’s) Small Aircraft Exemption and removed onerous limitations of the exemption’s applicability to operations outside the U.S. Effective today through March 31, 2019, the exemption allows NBAA members who operate small aircraft to take advantage of maintenance and cost-sharing options usually available only to operators of larger, turbine-powered aircraft.

The revised NBAA Small Aircraft Exemption, formally known as Exemption 7897I, provides operators of piston-powered airplanes, small airplanes (i.e., airplanes with a gross weight of 12,500 pounds or less) and rotorcraft several flexibilities, including the use of certain alternative maintenance programs and limited cost reimbursement for certain flights in accordance with Part 91 Subpart F of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

The cost reimbursement options of Part 91 Subpart F, typically allowed for aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of over 12,500 pounds, multi-engine turbojet aircraft or fractional program aircraft, are applicable to eligible NBAA members when transporting a guest on company aircraft, transporting employees of a subsidiary company or in other specific scenarios. Time sharing, interchange and joint ownership agreements are also permitted under Part 91 Subpart F and allowed through the NBAA Small Aircraft Exemption.

Previously, these cost-sharing options were not applicable to operations conducted outside the U.S. and the exemption was extended by six- or 12-month increments, concerns NBAA repeatedly brought to the FAA for reconsideration.

“NBAA is pleased that the FAA has responded favorably to NBAA’s requests for a longer extension period and applicability of the exemption to operations conducted outside the U.S.,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president of regulatory and international affairs. “Our long-established small aircraft exemption is a valuable tool for small aircraft operators. It will provide even more benefits with these two positive changes, which allow operators better long-range planning and remove unnecessary restrictions on international operations.”

NBAA’s Small Aircraft Exemption resource page provides additional details, including conditions and limitations of the exemption and a copy of the FAA letter granting the exemption, which must be carried on board the aircraft.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 11,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

SOURCE: NBAA