(Rick Durden) wrote
In Alaska, Part 135 operators can
get the max gross raised by up to 15%, depending on the airplane.

Do you have a reference for this?

You bet. 14CFR91.323

I've chased it a couple of times but can't find it (I'm assuming I'm
looking in the wrong places); all I've found is for an increase for a
few very old Dept of Commerce or CAA certified airplanes such as
Stinson Trimotors and so forth, nothing modern.

Really modern airplanes are not eligible for this, but a lot of stuff
a whole lot newer than Trimotors is.

If you've got a reference, I'd appreciate it.

Here you go. A great web site for this stuff is
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/c.../14tab_00.html

14CFR91.323 Increased maximum certificated weights for certain
airplanes operated in Alaska.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Federal Aviation
Regulations, the
Administrator will approve, as provided in this section, an increase
in the
maximum certificated weight of an airplane type certificated under
Aeronautics
Bulletin No. 7-A of the U.S. Department of Commerce dated January 1,
1931, as
amended, or under the normal category of part 4a of the former Civil
Air
Regulations (14 CFR part 4a, 1964 ed.) if that airplane is operated in
the State
of Alaska by --
(1) A certificate holder conducting operations under part 121 or part
135 of
this chapter; or
(2) The U.S. Department of Interior in conducting its game and fish
law
enforcement activities or its management, fire detection, and fire
suppression
activities concerning public lands.
(b) The maximum certificated weight approved under this section may
not exceed
--
(1) 12,500 pounds;
(2) 115 percent of the maximum weight listed in the FAA aircraft
specifications;

(3) The weight at which the airplane meets the positive maneuvering
load factor
requirement for the normal category specified in §23.337 of this
chapter; or
(4) The weight at which the airplane meets the climb performance
requirements
under which it was type certificated.
(c) In determining the maximum certificated weight, the Administrator
considers
the structural soundness of the airplane and the terrain to be
traversed.
(d) The maximum certificated weight determined under this section is
added to
the airplane's operation limitations and is identified as the maximum
weight
authorized for operations within the State of Alaska.
[Doc. No. 18334, 54 FR 34308, Aug. 18, 1989; Amdt. 91-211, 54 FR
41211, Oct. 5,
1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-253, 62 FR 13253, Mar. 19, 1997]