CommuteAir (C5, Cleveland Hopkins) has applied to the US Department of Transportation (DOT) for a waiver of dormancy lasting four months, extending until July 10, 2024. The request comes as the company nears its original deadline of March 10 in launching its charter flight operations but faces delays stemming from it not yet managing to secure a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certificate.
In its petition, CommuteAir said it had pursued operational certification with the Certificate Management Office (CMO) at the FAA. However, it does not anticipate the documentation will be finalised by March 10.
The Part 298 carrier, based in North Olmsted, Ohio, sought authority from the DOT last year to operate one E170 for training purposes and single-entity limited charter services. Its petition was granted as it looks to address the pilot training pipeline in a severe shortage of experienced captains throughout the United States' regional aviation sector.
CommuteAir took delivery of its first E170, N780NC (msn 17000280), on October 2023. It also received the associated manufacturer manuals and documentation.
According to the carrier, it has worked closely to move along the FAA certification process, including submitting manuals and courseware. It has also secured access to all training resources, including flight simulator and emergency equipment trainers. However, the FAA CMO scheduled airworthiness conformity of the E170 aircraft for the week of February 26, and this process is not anticipated to be completed before the company’s deadline.
The company’s Flight Attendant Training Curriculum has received initial approval and is expected to begin in March 2024.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the CommuteAir fleet comprises 75 aircraft, including seventy-four E145s and the one E170. The smaller Embraer regional jets operate exclusively on behalf of United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare).
