July 4, 2015

**Request to**  **Use CARES**  **Child Restraint**  **System for**  **Larger/Older Persons**  I am writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR section121.311(b) Seats, Safety Belts, and Shoulder Harnesses to the extent required for Maria Rose Humphrey (birthdate 06/23/2004) to use an FAA

-Approved Child Restraint System (CARES, manufactured byAmSafe, Inc.) even though she exceeds the weight limits. In addition, I request that any air carrier operating under part 121, while Maria Humphrey is aboard its aircraft, be granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow her to exceed the specified weight limit for an FAA

-Approved Child Restraint System during use ofthat child restraint system aboard an aircraft. The CARES restraint has been cert ified by the manufacturer for use by children 22

- 44 pounds. However, the components ofthe CARES restraint are the same as those used in restraints for adults on aircraft and would maintain their integrity ifused by someone who weighed several hundred pounds. Our daughter, Maria Humphrey, is 11 years old, weighs 78 pounds, and is 54 inches tall. Her physical condition is as follows: she has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy; she is unable to stand or walk independently; and although she can sit up straight due to a complete spinal fusion, she does better with some support. As a result ofher physical condition, she needs the support and security provided by an FAA

-Approved Child Restraint. Therefore, I request an exemption for Maria Humphrey to use the FAA

-Approved CARES system, even though she exceeds the manufacturer’s weight limits. Maria’s safetywill be enhanced by the extra support and security the CRS provides during the entire flight, which in turn is safer for the other passengers and crew. I understand that the limit of44 pounds was established because, with the additional weight ofthe child attached to the seat back, the seat backwould move forward more quickly in an accident, which might cause a higher Head Injury Criteria (HIC) load for the person seated behind the passenger using the CARES restraint (because the seat back moving forward more quicklywould mean that itwould not be there to attenuate the energy from the impact ofthe person seated behind the person using the CARES restraint). To achieve an equivalent level ofsafety as that provided by the affected regulation, I propose that the FAA establish a limitation in a grant to this petition that Maria Humphrey only sits in a seat with no passenger seated behind her. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a passenger seated behind Maria while she is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operations under this exemption be conducted with at least one ofMaria’s parents accompanying her, and that Maria’s parent(s) carry a copy ofthis exemption. I also request that the processing ofthis petition not be delayed for publication and comment in the Federal Register. We want to travel in November 2015. Ifyou put this in the Federal Register, it will delay the process and we may not be able to travel in this timeframe. Ifit 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 ofthis 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 byAmSafe, Inc.), even though she exceeds the manufacturer’s weight limits of44 pounds. In this case, the safety ofthis child is greatly enhanced by the extra support and security that the FAA Approved Restraint System will provide for her during the flight. Thank you for your consideration ofthis request. Sincerely, Maria’s parents Catherine Humphrey and Emmanouil Kritsotakis 3609 W Mariposa Grande Glendale, AZ 85310July 4, 2015

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-4440 / 2cathy4maria@gmail.com