DOCKET OST-97-3041

This serves as interim notice to the public of the action described below, taken orally by the Department official indicated; the confirming order or other decision document will be issued as soon as possible.

Applicant: HEAVYLIFT-VOLGADNEPR LTD. Date Filed: October 23, 1997

Relief requested: Exemption pursuant to 49 U.S.C. section 40109(g) to permit it to operate one one-way cargo charter flight from Philadelphia, PA, to Moffett Field, CA, on or about October 27, 1997, using its AN-124 aircraft. The flight is to transport one outsized satellite on behalf of Lockheed Martin AstroSpace.

Applicant representative: Lester Bridgeman

Responsive pleadings: Heavylift-VolgaDnepr served its application on those U.S. carriers operating large all-cargo aircraft. Each carrier indicated that it did not have aircraft available to conduct the proposed operations, and that it had no comment or did not oppose grant of the requested authority to Heavylift-VolgaDnepr.

DISPOSITION

Action: APPROVED Action date: OCTOBER 24, 1997

Effective dates of authority granted: OCTOBER 24 - 30, 1997

Basis for approval: We found that the application met all the relevant criteria of 49 U.S.C. section 40109(g) for the grant of an exemption of this type, and that the grant was required in the public interest. Moreover, based on the representations of the U.S. carriers, we concluded that no U.S. carrier had aircraft available which could be used to conduct the operation at issue here. We also found that grant of Heavylift-VolgaDnepr’s request would prevent undue hardship to Lockheed Martin.

Except to the extent exempted/waived, this authority is subject to standard exemption conditions (attached), and to the condition that Heavylift-VolgaDnepr comply with an FAA-approved flight routing for the authorized flight

Action taken by:

CHARLES A. HUNNICUTT
Assistant Secretary for Aviation
and International Affairs