AC 440.17-1

Advisory circular · Reciprocal Waiver of Claims Requirements

Approved
September 13, 2024
Last reviewed
September 13, 2024
This change
This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for an operator to comply with Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 440.17, Reciprocal waiver of claims requirements.Under § 440.17, for a licensed or permitted launch or reentry, a licensee or permittee must enter into reciprocal waiver of claims agreements under which each party waives and releases claims against all the other parties to the waiver, and agrees to assume financial responsibility for property damage it sustains and for bodily injury or property damage sustained by its own employees, and to hold harmless and indemnify each other from bodily injury or property damage sustained by its employees, resulting from a licensed or permitted activity, regardless of fault. This guidance document provides templates a licensee or permittee could, but is not required to, use to execute reciprocal waiver of claims agreements that are acceptable to the Administrator in accordance with § 440.17(c)-(e).
Family
AC 440.17-1 · 1 version
14 CFR parts
440

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed July 20, 2026.

Show pages 25–36

c. T his Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with United States Federal law.

In witness whereof, the Parties to this Agreement have caused the Agreement to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date written above.

Licensee By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ Customer By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on Behalf of the United States Government By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ 34

7.2.3 Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Licensed Reentry Activities with More Than One Customer.

Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Licensed Reentry with More Than One Customer This agreement is entered into this __ day of ____, by and among [Licensee] (the “Licensee”); [List of Customers] (with [List of Customers] hereinafter referred to in their individual capacity as “Customer”); and the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on behalf of the United States Government (collectively, the “Parties”), to implement the provisions of § 440.17(c) of the Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations, 14 CFR Ch. III (the “Regulations”). This agreement applies to the reentry of [Payload] payload on a [Reentry Vehicle] vehicle.

In consideration of the mutual releases and promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions Contractors and Subcontractors means entities described in § 440.3 of the Regulations.

Customer means each above-named Customer.

Part 440 Customer means a customer defined by § 440.3 of the Regulations, other than the above-named customer.

License means License No. __ issued on ____, by the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, to the Licensee, including all license orders issued in connection with the License.

Licensee means the Licensee and any transferee of the Licensee under 51 U.S.C.

Subtitle V, Ch. 509.

United States means the United States and its agencies involved in Licensed Activities.

Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Agreement and defined in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509 - Commercial Space Launch Activities, or in the Regulations, shall have the same meaning as contained in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch.

509, or the Regulations, respectively.

2. Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Licensee hereby waives and releases claims it may have against each Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault.

b. E ach Customer hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Licensee, the United States, any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault.

c. The United States hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Licensee, each Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains, and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

3. Assumption of Responsibility

a. Licensee and each Customer shall each be responsible for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault. Licensee and each Customer shall each hold harmless and indemnify each other, the United States, any other customer, and the Contractors and Subcontractors of each, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault.

b. The United States shall be responsible for Property Damage it sustains, and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

4. Extension of Assumption of Responsibility and Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Licensee shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility, hold harmless, and indemnification, as set forth in paragraphs 2(a) and 3(a), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against each Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for Property Damage they sustain and to be responsible, hold harmless and indemnify each Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault.

b. Each Customer shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility, hold harmless, and indemnification, as set forth in paragraphs 2(b) and 3(a), respectively, to its customers, Contractors, and Subcontractors, by requiring them to waive and 36

release all claims they may have against Licensee, the United States, and any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for Property Damage they sustain and to be responsible, hold harmless and indemnify Licensee, the United States, and any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault.

c. The United States shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility as set forth in paragraphs 2(c) and 3(b), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against Licensee, each Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for any Property Damage they sustain and for any Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims they would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

5. Indemnification

a. Licensee shall hold harmless and indemnify each Customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them;

the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them; and any Part 440 Customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims that Licensee's Contractors and Subcontractors may have for Property Damage sustained by them and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Licensed Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement.

b. Each Customer shall hold harmless and indemnify Licensee and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them;

and the United States and any other customer as defined by § 440.3 its agencies, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them; and any other customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims that each Customer's Contractors, Subcontractors, and customers, may have for Property Damage sustained by them and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Licensed Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement.

c. T o the extent provided in advance in an appropriations law or to the extent there is enacted additional legislative authority providing for the payment of claims, the United States shall hold harmless and indemnify Licensee, each Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and their respective directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims that Contractors and Subcontractors of the United States may have for Property Damage sustained by them, and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Licensed Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement, to the extent that claims they would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

6. Assurances Under 51 U.S.C. 50914(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Licensee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, resulting from Licensed Activities, regardless of fault, except to the extent that:

i. As provided in paragraph 7(b) of this Agreement, claims result from willful misconduct of the United States or its agents;

ii. Claims for Property Damage sustained by the United States or its Contractors and Subcontractors exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations;

iii. Claims by a Third Party for Bodily Injury or Property Damage exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) of the Regulations, and do not exceed $1,500,000,000 (as adjusted for inflation after January 1, 1989) above such amount, and are payable pursuant to the provisions of 51 U.S.C. 50915 and § 440.19 of the Regulations; or iv. Licensee has no liability for claims exceeding $1,500,000,000 (as adjusted for inflation after January 1, 1989) above the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) of the Regulations.

7. Miscellaneous.

a. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a waiver or release by Licensee, any Customer, or the United States of any claim by an employee of the Licensee, any Customer or the United States, respectively, including a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, resulting from Licensed Activities.

b. N otwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any waiver, release, assumption of responsibility or agreement to hold harmless and indemnify herein shall not apply to claims for Bodily Injury or Property Damage resulting from willful misconduct of any of the Parties, the Contractors and Subcontractors of any of the Parties, any Part 440 Customers, the Contractors and Subcontractors of any Part 440 Customer, and in the case of Licensee, each Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and the Contractors and Subcontractors of each of them, the directors, officers, agents and employees of any of the foregoing, and in the case of the United States, its agents.

c. References herein to Customer shall apply to, and be deemed to include each such customer severally and not jointly.

d. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with United States Federal law.

In witness whereof, the Parties to this Agreement have caused the Agreement to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date written above.

Licensee By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ Customer 1 By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ [Signature lines for each additional customer] Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on Behalf of the United States Government By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ 39

7.3 Agreement for Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Permitted Activities.

7.3.1 Agreement for Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Permitted Activities with No Customer.

Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Permitted Activities with No Customer This agreement is entered into this __ day of ____, by and between [Permittee] (the “Permittee”) and the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on behalf of the United States Government (collectively, the “Parties”), to implement the provisions of § 440.17(c) of the Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations, 14 CFR Ch. III (the “Regulations”). This agreement applies to [describe permitted activity]. In consideration of the mutual releases and promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions Contractors and Subcontractors means entities defined by § 440.3 of the Regulations.

Permit means Permit No. _______ issued on ____________, by the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, to the Permittee, including all permit orders issued in connection with the Permit.

Permittee means the holder of the Permit issued under 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch.

509.

United States means the United States and its agencies involved in Permitted Activities.

Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Agreement and defined in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509 - Commercial Space Launch Activities, or in the Regulations, shall have the same meaning as contained in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509, or the Regulations, respectively.

2. Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Permittee hereby waives and releases claims it may have against the United States, and against its Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. The United States hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Permittee and against its Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations.

3. A ssumption of Responsibility

a. Permittee shall be responsible for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault. Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States, and the Contractors and Subcontractors of the United States, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. The United States shall be responsible for Property Damage it sustains, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations.

4. Extension of Assumption of Responsibility and Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Permittee shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility, hold harmless, and indemnification, as set forth in paragraphs 2(a) and 3(a), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against the United States, and against the Contractors and Subcontractors of the United States, and to agree to be responsible for Property Damage they sustain and to be responsible, hold harmless, and indemnify the United States, and the Contractors and Subcontractors of the United States, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. The United States shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility as set forth in paragraphs 2(b) and 3(b), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against Permittee, and against the Contractors and Subcontractors of Permittee, and to agree to be responsible, for any Property Damage they sustain, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims they would otherwise have for such damage exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations.

5. Indemnification Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss, or damage arising out of claims that Permittee's Contractors and Subcontractors may have for Property Damage sustained by them and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Permitted Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement.

6. Assurances Under 51 U.S.C. 50914(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, 41

employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, except to the extent that:

i. As provided in paragraph 7(b) of this Agreement, claims result from willful misconduct of the United States or its agents; or ii. Claims for Property Damage sustained by the United States or its Contractors and Subcontractors exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations.

7. Miscellaneous

a. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as a waiver or release by Permittee or the United States of any claim by an employee of the Permittee or the United States, respectively, including a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, resulting from Permitted Activities.

b. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, any waiver, release, assumption of responsibility, or agreement to hold harmless and indemnify herein shall not apply to claims for Bodily Injury or Property Damage resulting from willful misconduct of any of the Parties, the Contractors and Subcontractors of any of the Parties, and in the case of Permittee and its Contractors and Subcontractors, the directors, officers, agents, and employees of any of the foregoing, and in the case of the United States, its agents.

c. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with United States Federal law.

In witness whereof, the Parties to this Agreement have caused the Agreement to be duly executed by their respective duly authorized representatives as of the date written above.

Permittee By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on Behalf of the United States Government By: __________________________________________________________________ Printed Name: _________________________________________________________ Title: ________________________________________________________________ 42

7.3.2 Agreement for Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Permitted Activities with One Customer.

Waiver of Claims and Assumption of Responsibility for Permitted Activities with One Customer This agreement is entered into this __ day of ____, by and among [Permittee] (the “Permittee”), [Customer] (the “Customer”) and the Federal Aviation Administration of the Department of Transportation, on behalf of the United States Government (collectively, the “Parties”), to implement the provisions of 440.17(c) of the Commercial Space Transportation Licensing Regulations, 14 CFR Ch. III (the “Regulations”). This agreement applies to [describe permitted activity]. In consideration of the mutual releases and promises contained herein, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions Contractors and Subcontractors means entities defined by § 440.3 of the Regulations.

Customer means the above-named Customer.

Part 440 Customer means a customer defined by § 440.3 of the Regulations, other than the above-named customer.

Permit means Permit No. __ issued on ____, by the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation, to the Permittee, including all permit orders issued in connection with the Permit.

Permittee means the holder of the Permit issued under 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509.

United States means the United States and its agencies involved in Permitted Activities.

Except as otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Agreement and defined in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509 - Commercial Space Launch Activities, or in the Regulations, shall have the same meaning as contained in 51 U.S.C. Subtitle V, Ch. 509, or the Regulations, respectively.

2. Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Permittee hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. Customer hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Permittee, the United States, any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

c. T he United States hereby waives and releases claims it may have against Permittee, Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Property Damage it sustains, and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

3. Assumption of Responsibility

a. Permittee and Customer shall each be responsible for Property Damage it sustains and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault. Permittee and Customer shall each hold harmless and indemnify each other, the United States, any other customer, and the Contractors and Subcontractors of each, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by its own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. The United States shall be responsible for Property Damage it sustains, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims it would otherwise have for such damage exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(e) of the Regulations.

4. Extension of Assumption of Responsibility and Waiver and Release of Claims

a. Permittee shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility, hold harmless, and indemnification, as set forth in paragraphs 2(a) and 3(a), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for Property Damage they sustain and to be responsible, hold harmless and indemnify Customer, the United States, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

b. Customer shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility, hold harmless, and indemnification, as set forth in paragraphs 2(b) and 3(a), respectively, to its customers, Contractors, and Subcontractors, by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against Permittee, the United States, any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for Property Damage they sustain and to be responsible, hold harmless and indemnify Permittee, the United States, any other customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault.

c. T he United States shall extend the requirements of the waiver and release of claims, and the assumption of responsibility as set forth in paragraphs 2(c) and 3(b), respectively, to its Contractors and Subcontractors by requiring them to waive and release all claims they may have against Permittee, Customer, any Part 440 Customer, and each of their respective Contractors and Subcontractors, and to agree to be responsible, for any Property Damage they sustain and for any Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their own employees, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, to the extent that claims they would otherwise have for such damage or injury exceed the amount of insurance or demonstration of financial responsibility required under § 440.9(c) and (e), respectively, of the Regulations.

5. Indemnification

a. Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify Customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them;

the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them; and any Part 440 Customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims that Permittee's Contractors and Subcontractors may have for Property Damage sustained by them and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Permitted Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement.

b. Customer shall hold harmless and indemnify Permittee and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them;

the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them; and any other customer and its directors, officers, servants, agents, subsidiaries, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims that Customer's Contractors, Subcontractors, and customers, may have for Property Damage sustained by them and for Bodily Injury or Property Damage sustained by their employees, resulting from Permitted Activities and arising out of the indemnifying party's failure to implement properly the waiver requirement.

6. Assurances Under 51 U.S.C. 50914(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Permittee shall hold harmless and indemnify the United States and its agencies, servants, agents, employees and assignees, or any of them, from and against liability, loss or damage arising out of claims for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, resulting from Permitted Activities, regardless of fault, except to the extent that:

i. As provided in paragraph 7(b) of this Agreement, claims result from willful misconduct of the United States or its agents; or ii. Claims for Property Damage sustained by the United States or its Contractors and Subcontractors exceed the amount of insurance or 45