Request to Use CARES for Larger/Older Persons

I am writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b) to the extent required for Harper 

Wiedeman to be able to use an FAA Approved Child Restraint System even though she exceeds the 

weight limits for the CRS. In addition, if my petition is granted, I request that any air carrier or 

commercial operator operating under part 121 while Harper Wiedeman is aboard its aircraft is granted 

an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow Harper Wiedeman to 

exceed the specified weight limit for an FAA-approved child restraint system during use of that child 

restraint system aboard an aircraft. 

I believe the pertinent section from 14 CFR part 121 from which we seek relief is Section 121.311 Seats, 

safety belts, and shoulder harnesses. 

My daughter's physical condition is as follows. Harper is a 13 year-old girl who was born with Cerebral 

Palsy. She is 4 feet tall and weighs 60 lbs. Harper cannot walk and needs assistance sitting. As a result of 

her physical condition, she needs the support and security provided by an FAA Approved Child Restraint, 

but because of her weight is incapable of compliance with the regulation. 

I understand that the regulation is written to create a high level of safety for each individual passenger 

by ensuring that they are securely restrained in their seats during all phases of flight. The regulation also 

ensures that an individual does not cause harm to other passengers on the airplane by being thrown 

into them during turbulent or emergency conditions. 

I propose that Harper be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by 

AmSafe Corporation), even though she exceeds the manufacturer’s weight limits. This ensures a high 

level of safety for Harper and a high level of safety for the other passengers and crew on the airplane. In 

fact, in Harper's case, safety is greatly enhanced by the extra support and security that the FAA 

Approved Restraint System will provide during the entire flight. 

Enhancing safety for Harper is in the public interest. In addition, the public interest is also served by the 

fact that the use of this FAA Approved Child Restraint System allows her to use commercial air 

transportation. Without the support and security of the FAA Approved Child Restraint System, she

would be unable to fly commercially. 

I also believe that, with certain limitations established by the FAA in a grant to this petition, there can be 

an equivalent level of safety to that provided by the affected regulation. The CARES restraint has been 

certified by the manufacturer for use by children 22- 44 pounds. However, the components of the 

CARES restraint are the same as those used in restraints for adults on aircraft and would maintain their 

integrity if used by someone who weighed several hundred pounds. 

I believe that the limit of 44 pounds was established because, with the additional weight of the child 

attached to the seatback, the seatback would move forward more quickly in an accident scenario and 

this might cause a higher HIC load for the person seated in the seat behind the passenger using the 

CARES restraint (because the seatback moving forward more quickly would mean that it would not be 
there to attenuate the energy from the impact of the person seated behind the person using the CARES 

restraint). 

In order to achieve an equivalent level of safety as that provided by the affected regulation, I propose 

that the FAA establish a limitation in a grant to this petition that Harper Wiedeman only sits in a 

passenger seat with no passenger seated behind her. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a 

passenger seated behind Harper while she is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operations 

under this exemption be conducted with at least one of Harper Wiedeman's parents or a caregiver 

accompanying him or her. In addition, I propose that Harper's parent or caregiver must carry a copy of 

this exemption. 

I also request that the processing of this petition not be delayed for publication and comment in the 

Federal Register. We want to travel March 5, 2012 and March 11, 2012. If you take the time to put this 

in the Federal Register, it will delay the process and we may not be able to travel in this timeframe. 

If it is necessary to put a summary in the Federal Register, I submit the following: 

This is a request for an exemption from FAR 121.311 (b) to the extent required for a child to use an FAA 

Approved Child Restraint System on an aircraft, even though the child exceeds the weight limits for the 

CRS. Due to physical challenges, without the support and security of this FAA Approved Child Restraint 

System, this child would be unable to fly. We request that this child be allowed to occupy an FAA 

Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by AMSAFE INC.), even though she exceeds the 

manufacturer’s weight limits of 44 pounds. In this case, the safety of this child is greatly enhanced by the 

extra support and security that the FAA Approved Restraint System will provide for her during the flight.