U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

September 18, 2015 

Mr. Rhett Dominick 

Parent of Elizabeth Melissa Dominick 

525 Phoenix Road, Phoenix Community 

Greenwood, SC 29646-9742 

Dear Mr. Dominick: 

Exemption No. 12914 

800 Independence Ave .. S W 

Washington. 0 C 20591 

Regulatory Docket No. F AA-20 15-35 15 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. 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 to the docket on August 14, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of your daughter Elizabeth Melissa Dominick for an 

exemption from§ 12 1.311(b) ofTitle 14, Code of Federal Regulations (1 4 CFR). That 

exemption, if granted, would allow Elizabeth to exceed the specified weight and/or height 

limit for an FA A-approved child restraint system (CAReS, manufactured by AmSafe 

Corporation) during use of that child restraint system (CRS) aboard a United States (U.S.)-

registered aircraft. 

In Eli zabeth's case, since she is an adult, an exemption must also be granted from the 

requirement in§ 121.311(b) that the individual be a "child." However, the reasons for 

requesting this exemption do not differ materially from those presented by other petitioners, 

and the reasons stated by the FAA for granting other exemptions also apply to the situation 

you present. The FAA has detennined 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 thjs petition would be detrimental to Elizabeth. 

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

those presented in your petition. In Grants ofExemption Nos. 7831 and 8264 (copies 

enclosed), the FAA found that numerous persons with physical challenges had previously 

completed flights using restraint systems. 

AFS-1 5-3562-E 
2 

The use ofthese 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. 

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 

Grants of Exemption Nos. 7831 and 8264; 

• the reasons stated by the FAA for granting the enclosed Grants of Exemption Nos. 7831 

and 8264 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(t), 40113 and 44701 , which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant Elizabeth Melissa Dominick an exemption 

from § 121.311 (b). In addition, any air carrier or commercial operator operating under part 

121 while Elizabeth is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.3 11 (b) 

to the extent necessary to allow her to exceed the specified weight and/or height limit for an 

FAA-approved CRS during use aboard a U.S.-registered aircraft. 

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

accompanying her. Elizabeth may only occupy a passenger seat with no passenger seated 

behind her. In addition, Elizabeth's parent or caregiver must carry a copy of this exemption 

and advise the air carTier about the contents of the exemption at least 48 hours before the date 

of each flight. 

This exemption terminates on August 31, 2020, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

John S. Duncan 

Director, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosures