AmericanAirlines@ 


MAINTENANCE AND ENGINEERING CENTER 

April 25, 2011 

U.S. Department of Transportation 


Docket Management System 


400 ih Street, SW, Room PL-400 


Washington, DC 20591-0001 


Subject: Renewal of Exemption Number 6853D -14 CFR 121.317 - Control of Passenger Information 

. I Reference: 1) FAA Issue Paper Dated March 3, 2011 from the Transport Airplane Directorate ­

Aircraft Certification SeNice 

2) Exemption 6853 (original issue) Docket Number 29448 

3) Exemption 6853B (second extension) Docket Number FAA-2000-8153 

4) Exemption 6853C (third extension) Docket Number FAA-2000-8153 

5) Exemption 6853D (fourth extension) Docket Number FAA-2000-8153 

Dear Sir or Madam: 

American Airlines' Exemption number 6853D that permits American Airlines to operate our Boeing 737 

and 777 aircraft with "No Smoking" signs always illuminated terminates on August 31, 2011. American 

Airlines has had no negative or detrimental circumstance since the original issue and respectfully 

requests this exemption be renewed as a permanent exemption. The technical information originally 

submitted remains the same and will continue in effect when the exemption is renewed . Listed below 

are the rules from which the relief is requested under Section 11.25 of the 14 CFR. 

A Renewal to Exemption number 6853D is sought that applies to: 

14 CFR 121.317(a) "The sign must be constructed so that the crew member can turn them on 

and off." 

The Renewal exemption would: 

Permit American Airlines to operate its two (2) fleets, B737 and B777, in the delivered 

condition from Boeing. With reference to the FAA Issue Paper, Boeing has informed us they 

have hardwiring the Passenger SeNice Unit "No Smoking Signs" in the "on" position for our 

B737 and B777 aircrafts. The hardwired "on" "No Smoking Signs" seNe as a lighted placard to 

comply with 14 CFR 25.791. 

14 CFR 121.317 states that the passenger information signs " ...must be constructed so that crew 

members can turn them on and off." With the "No Smoking Signs" hardwired "on", 14 CFR 121.317 is 

no longer relevant with respect to the "No Smoking Signs" since American Airlines does not allow 

smoking on any of its flights. 14 CFR 25.791states that "If smoking is to be prohibited, there must be at 

least one placard so stating that is legible to each person seated in the cabin". The referenced FAA Issue 

Paper indicates that a continuously lighted sign meets the requirements of a placard. Furthermore, the 

FAA issue paper advises operates with the "No Smoking Signs" hardwired to the "on" configuration to 

petition for an exemption to 14 CFR 121.317. 

MO P.O. BOX 582809, TULSA OKLAHOMA 74159-2809 CABLEAORESS AMAIR 
Docket Management System 

Renewal Exemption No. 68530 

April 25, 2011 - Page 2 

Rather than modifying each aircraft allowing a crew to turn the "No Smoking Signs" "on" and "off" to 

comply with 14 CFR 121.317, we suggest the "No Smoking Signs" being continuously illuminated meets 

or exceeds the spirit and intent of the regulation. 

This renewal exemption will continue to allow American Airlines to operate our B737 and B777 aircraft, 

in revenue service, with the "No Smoking Signs" continuously illuminated and incapable of having the 

"No Smoking Signs" extinguished. 

Renewing this exemption would be in the public interest in that: 

1) There would be greater assurance that the "No Smoking Signs" would always be illuminated 

and legible to each person seated in the cabin. 

2) Passengers are accustomed to seeing the "No Smoking Signs" illuminated and understand the 

meaning. 

3) 	 By allowing the "No Smoking Signs" to be hardwired to the "on" position will ensure the 

avoidance of unnecessary modification cos that would be passed on to the traveling public in 

the price of the ticket. 

4) 	 American Airlines currently conducts revenue service for both the B737 and B777 and a denial 

of this renewal would clearly be detriment . I to the flying public as well as American Airlines. 

Renewing this exemption will not adversely affect f·afety in that the "No Smoking Signs" will be 

illuminated at all times. That under no circumstan , es does American Airlines allow smoking on any of 

our flights; therefore, there is no need to be able t switch the "No Smoking Sign" from lion" to II off'. 

Questions or comments regarding this petition ma 

Engineering AD/FAR Group at (918) 292-2158. 

WMC/pmb 

be directed to William Bartelt, Manager of 

Sincerely, 

Vice 

~r President 

Engineering, Performance &QA 
April 12011 

J. B. Ream 

I will be out of the office Monday - Wednesday, April 2011. During this 

specified absence I am delegating my authority, described in Section 01-01 of 

the General Procedures Manual (GPM), to John Beavers, Emp #645289, to act 

on my behalf. Upon my return, such delegation shall cease. 

Appropriation Requests for capital expenditures are to be handled in accordance 

with the Financial Planning department's Standing Authorities document. 

¥;j/f}/( 

William M. Cavitt 

Emp#693576 

Vice 

Engineering, Performance 

Improvement Strategies & QA 

WMC/cj 

cc: 	 M&E Staff 

Staff 

J. Bustos