Waiver from FSDO

Note: This is a copy of the original PDF, with sections redacted to retain the privacy of participants. If there is any doubt about the structure or content of this document, the original PDF shall be considered the source of truth. Please contact Piet Barber for a copy of the PDF.

ATTACHMENT A

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Air Traffic Control Assigned Airspace (ATCAA) Special Provisions

The FAA has the authority to cancel the Certificate of Waiver (CoW) or delay any activities if the safety of persons or property on the ground, or in the air, is in jeopardy, or if there is a violation of the terms of the CoW.
Piet Barber, or the current responsible person for the Soaring Society of America Region 4 (SSA4), has been determined to be competent and knowledgeable concerning the terms and provisions of this Certificate of Waiver, and the aviation event governed by it. Piet Barber, or the current responsible person for SSA4, must be responsible to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the safe conduct of the operations within the ATCAA.
Piet Barber, or the current responsible person for the SSA4, must ensure that pilots are thoroughly briefed on SSA4 Glider Operations Training, and the special provisions of the CoW, before beginning operations within the established ATCAA.
1. The SSA4 training is incorporated into this CoW and becomes a special provision, thereof. Actions contrary to the terms, controls, procedures, and conditions pertaining to safety set forth in the FAA approved procedures are grounds for cancellation of this CoW.
2. No person may conduct operations within the ATCAA, as described in the CoW, unless that person has signed a statement of understanding (Attachment D) stating that they have received training on the provisions of the CoW.
All pilots operating in the ATCAA must provide the requested data to establish qualifications and airworthiness to Piet Barber, or the current SSA4 responsible person. Provide to the Baltimore Flight Standards District Office (BAL FSDO) on an annual basis a copy of the current attachment C and D.
NOTE: FAA Checklists, Status Forms, and Job Aids can be used to gather data in advance, to establish pilot qualifications and aircraft airworthiness.

NOTE: CoW special provisions never supersede aircraft airworthiness operating limitations. Pilots should review their aircraft operating limitations prior to operating in the ATCAA, to ensure they are familiar and can comply with the requirements as specified.
Persons or aircraft not appearing on the CoW application and subsequently added to the CoW, may not participate without specific approval by Piet Barber, or the current responsible person. Operational occurrences outside of this provision must be reported to the BAL FSDO. Proof of appropriate qualifications for crewmember(s) and an airworthy aircraft is required before the operations can be conducted in the ATCAA.
Before commencing flight operations, the current SSA4 responsible person, or a SSA4 representative delegated by him/her, is authorized to activate and deactivate the ATCAA, and must also assume responsibility for reviewing all published NOTAMs, TFRs, or Special Activity Airspace pertinent to the PETE ATCAA.
Glider flight requiring CoW must be confined to the area designated on the pictorial chart, and as depicted on a sectional chart, attached to the CoW and defined in Attachment B.
Notification must be made to the ZDC Supervisor Anthony Cottrell at (703) 771-3510, at least 30 minutes before the beginning of activity in the ATCAA. ZDC must also be notified at the termination of soaring activities within the ATCAA.
The person(s) authorized to activate and deactivate the ATCAA described in Special Provision 9 is the current SSA4 responsible person, or a SSA4 representative delegated by him/her.
Within the boundaries of the PETE ATCAA only, SSA4 gliders are authorized to deviate from the two-way radio requirements of 91.135(b) and the ADS-B out requirements of 91.225. All other applicable Federal Aviation Regulations must be complied with. Deviation from 91.215 ATC transponder requirements is not authorized. Pilots must ensure they have an operational 4096 transponder prior to flight, and exit the floor of PETE should the transponder become inoperative.
Utilize GPS to assist in remaining within the assigned ATCAA.
Comply with the provisions of 91.211(a) Supplemental Oxygen.
No person may operate in the ATCAA with less than 5 miles visibility and 1,000 feet vertically, and within 1 mile horizontally from any cloud formation.
All pilots operating within the ATCAA must maintain VFR at all times, and must be responsible for seeing and avoiding all conflicting traffic.
Operations in the ATCAA must be conducted only during daylight hours.
Piet Barber, or the current responsible person for the SSA4 or delegated representative, is responsible for halting or canceling activity in the ATCAA if, at any time, the safety of persons or property on the ground or in the air is in jeopardy, or if there is a failure to comply with the terms or conditions of this CoW.

Note: This Certificate of Waiver constitutes a waiver of only those regulations stated, to the degree and for the period of time specified in the Certificate of Waiver. The Certificate of Waiver does not constitute a waiver of any state law or local ordinance. Should the proposed operation conflict with any state law, local ordinance, or required permission of local authorities or property owners, it must be the applicant's responsibility to resolve the conflict. The provisions of the waiver must apply, regardless of the statements contained in the application for Certificate of Waiver. The waiver must be considered void upon completion of the authorized schedule of events, or at the latest time shown on the face of the Certificate of Waiver, whichever occurs first.

WASHINGTON AIR ROUTE TRAFFIC CONTROL CENTER and SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA REGION 4

Attachment B

EFFECTIVE: 03/31/2022-03/31/2024

SUBJECT: GLIDER OPERATIONS IN THE PETE ATCAA

PURPOSE: This letter of agreement (LOA) establishes the PETE ATCAAs, and outlines procedures within Class A airspace for glider operations scheduled by the Soaring Society of America Region 4.
SCOPE: The procedures outlined herein are applicable to Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZDC) and the Soaring Society of America Region 4 (SSA4), for operations conducted in the PETE ATCAAs. The provisions of this agreement apply only to pilots and aircraft operating within the ATCAA(s) scheduled by a SSA4 designee.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. SSA4 must:
  1. Ensure pilots operating under this LOA are thoroughly familiar with and comply with its provisions.
  2. Review this LOA annually with its members.
2. b. Glider Pilots must:
  1. Become sufficiently familiar with local terrain features to use visual reference to remain within the ATCAA(s).
  2. Utilize GPS to assist in remaining within the assigned ATCAA.
  3. Assume responsibility for separation from each other when more than one glider is using the ATCAA(s).
  4. Ensure their glider has an operational 4096 transponder with altitude reporting.
3. The ZDC Air Traffic Manager must:
  1. Ensure personnel responsible for providing air traffic services within the scope of this agreement are knowledgeable of and comply with its provisions.
PROCEDURES:
1. Airspace:
  1. Pre-Flight Coordination.

WASHINGTON CENTER and SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA REGION 4

(a) Requests for periods of use in excess of three hours must be made at least four hours in advance.

(b) A SSA4 representative must call the Washington Center Supervisor at [REDACTED], no less than thirty minutes prior to the intended use time with the:

1) ATCAA(s) requested.

(2) Use times (in UTC).

3) Altitude block requested

4) The telephone number where a representative can be contacted.

1. Recall. In the event of adverse weather or emergencies, the Washington Center Supervisor may recall the ATCAA(s). ZDC will issue a clearance instructing the aircraft to leave the ATCAAs.

3. Post Flight Coordination. When all aircraft have vacated the ATCAA(s), the SSA4 designee must notify the Washington Center Supervisor and advise that the airspace is no longer needed.

b. Glider Operations

(1) SSA4 pilots must:

(a) Receive an ATC clearance to operate in PETE

(b) Comply with CFR 91.155, Basic VFR weather minimums for Class E airspace PETE

(c) Comply with applicable Federal Aviation Regulations, but are authorized to deviate from the provisions of CFR 91.135(b) Equipment Requirements, and 91.225 ADSB requirements for Class A airspace.

(d) Enter and exit through the floor of the ATCAA(s) and within its horizontal boundaries. Entry/exit takes place when a climb/descent is made through FL180.

Note: When the local TUS altimeter is below 29.92, SSA4 must not request and Center must not assign operations in the ATCAA(s).

Note: When climbing through FL180, SSA4 pilots must set 29.92, and when descending through FL180, SSA4 pilots must set the closest local altimeter setting available.

WASHINGTON CENTER and SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA REGION 4

(2) ZDC must:

(a) Issue a clearance into PETE. The entry clearance must state the name and the authorized altitude for the ATCAA(s).

(b) Ensure non-participating IFR aircraft remain clear of the active ATCAA(s).

5. ATTACHMENTS:

a. Attachment 1 – PETE ATCAA VFR sectional

b. Attachment 2 – PETE ATCAA IFR enroute H-12

ATTACHMENT C

(Redacted to preserve applicants' privacy)

ATTACHMENT D

STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING

Prior to any flight as a participating crewmember, I certify that I have been briefed on and understand the provisions and conditions of this Certificate of Waiver

I agree to comply with all of its provisions

Crew Member Name / Signature / Date

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