U.S Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

November I 0, 20 14 

Ms. Sarah Curtis Seidl 

Parent of Luke Patrick Seidl 

256 Providence Road 

Annapolis, MD 2 1409 

Dear Ms. Seidl: 

Exemption No. I 0697 A 

800 Independence Ave .. S w 

Washington. 0 C 2059 1 

Regulatory Docket No. F AA-20 13-0053 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for an extension of Exemption 

No. I 0697. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, and gives you the conditions and 

limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter posted October 7, 20 14, you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) 

on behalf of Luke Patrick Seidl for an extension of Exemption No. I 0697 from § 121.311 (b) 

of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations ( 14 CFR). That extension, if granted, would allow 

Luke to continue exceeding the specified weight and/or height limit for an FAA-approved 

child restraint system (CAReS, manufactured by AmSafe Corporation) during use of that child 

restraint system (CRS) aboard a United States (U.S.) aircraft. 

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition 

in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent and any 

delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to Luke. 

The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to 

those presented in your petition. In Grant of Exemption No. 9834 (copy enclosed), the FAA 

found that numerous people with physical challenges had previously completed flights using 

restraint systems. The use of these restraint systems addressed unique physical needs 

regarding safety, support, and security in the same manner of operations as described in this 

petition. The FAA further found that the petition would not set any new precedents regarding 

the use of restraint systems by persons with disabilities. 

AFS- 15-033-E 
2 

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that-

• they are similar in all material respects to relief previously requested in the enclosed Grant 

of Exemption No. 9834; 

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grant of Exemption No. 9834 also 

apply to the situation you present; and 

• a grant of exemption is in the public interest. 

Our Decision 

Under the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. §§ 106(f), 40113 and 44701 , which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Luke Patrick Seidl an extension of 

exemption No. I 0697 from § 121.3 11 (b). In addition, any air carrier or commercial operator 

operating under part 12 1 while Luke is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR § 121 .311 (b) to the extent necessai)' to allow him to exceed the specified weight 

and/or height limit for an FAA-approved CRS during use aboard a U.S. aircraft. 

All operations under this exemption must be conducted with Luke's parent or a caregiver 

accompanying him. Luke Patrick Seidl may only occupy a passenger seat with no passenger 

seated behind him. In addition, Luke·s parent or caregiver must carry a copy of this 

exemption and advise the air carrier about the contents of the exemption at least 48 hours 

before the date of each flight. 

This exemption terminates on f ebruary 28, 2020, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, cr ~ { JL 

John Barbagallo 

Acting Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosure