NBAA Secures Renewal of Small Aircraft Exemption

The FAA has renewed the NBAA small-aircraft exemption through March 31, 2028, enabling association members to take advantage of certain cost-sharing and maintenance provisions that otherwise are limited to operations of large, turbine-powered aircraft.

Under Exemption 7897N, operators of small aircraft—those 12,500 pounds or less—and rotorcraft can use alternative maintenance programs and receive limited cost reimbursement for certain flights under FAR Part 91 Subpart F. This allows for common flight department activities such as transporting guests on company aircraft or for subsidiary employees to use the plane, NBAA explained, noting that Part 91 Subpart F also permits time sharing, interchange, and joint ownership agreements.

As written, those provisions have only applied to multi-engine jet aircraft, fractional ownership aircraft, or those that weigh more than 12,500 pounds. But in 1994, NBAA secured an exemption on behalf of its membership that extends the applicability to small aircraft, including pistons. That exemption has been routinely extended since.

“For many years, this important exemption has enabled NBAA members operating piston-powered aircraft, small airplanes, and rotorcraft to take advantage of the cost-sharing provisions in Part 91 Subpart F,” said Doug Carr, NBAA senior v-p of safety, security, sustainability, and international affairs. “Members intending to use this exemption should carefully review and comply with all applicable conditions and limitations of the extended NBAA Small Aircraft Exemption.”

Operators who would like to use the exemption for the first time must submit a letter of intent to the FAA. NBAA has created a tool to assist operators with that process. The association further advised that members already using the exemption are not required to submit a new letter of intent but should carry a copy of the newest exemption, 7897N, on their aircraft. However, operators must still notify their Flight Standards District Office of their continued intent under the latest exemption extension.