CHANGES to the FAA "Exemption No. 10159"
IAC member pilots must submit Letter of Intent
What Exemption No. 10159 provides
The FAA has determined that the justification for the issuance of Exemption No. 10159E remains valid with respect to this exemption and is in the public interest. Therefore, under the authority provided by 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113, and 44701, which the FAA Administrator has delegated to me, I grant International Aerobatic Club an exemption from 14 CFR §§ 91.9(b) and 91.151(a)(1) to the extent necessary to allow IAC members to carry less than visual flight rules (VFR) fuel requirements under certain conditions and be exempted from carrying the aircraft flight manual during aerobatic competition and aerobatic practice flights, subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.
The Change from past years
Previously the IAC sent a letter to the FAA requesting Exemption No. 10159 for every IAC member pilot who participated in an IAC sanctioned contest - a blanket authorization. No further action was needed by individual pilots during those approval periods, which recently ended on June 24, 2024. This has changed with the Conditions and Limitations below:
Conditions and Limitations
Certificate holders who are members of International Aerobatic Club that wish to utilize the relief provided by this exemption must submit a Letter of Intent to Docket No. FAA-2001-9352. The Letter of Intent must state the certificate holder’s intention to exercise the relief granted in this exemption and affirm the certificate holder’s intention to only conduct operations in a manner consistent with all conditions and limitations herein.
Certificate holders may only operate under this exemption after submitting a Letter of Intent to Docket No. FAA-2001-9352 that conforms to this condition. Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FAA-2001-9352-0048 and follow the online instructions for submitting documents electronically to submit a Letter of Intent to Docket No. FAA-2001-9352
Letter Guidance
1. Under “Comment,” enter the following or similar text:
"I intend to exercise the relief granted under FAA Exemption Number 10159. I have reviewed the exemption and will only operate in a manner consistent with all conditions and limitations listed thereon."
(Please familiarize yourself with the Exemption 10159F attached at the bottom of this page.)
2. [Name], [IAC ####]
3. Under “What is your comment about?” select “Application / Petition” or “Other” (this doesn’t really matter – you can leave it blank).
4. Enter email address, if desired (optional, but gives you a confirmation email).
5. Selection “I am … an individual” and enter at least first and last name. (no other contact info is necessary.)
6. Hit “Submit Comment” and you’re done. The exemption takes effect immediately.
Exemption 10159F Letter attached at the bottom of this page.
