May 21, 2012

U.S. Department of Transportation

Docket Management System

400 7th Street SW, Plaza 401

Washington, DC 20591-0001

Re: Exemption No. 6140, FAA-2002-12416

Ladies/Gentlemen:

In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, 14CFR § 11.61, the Air Transport 

Association of America (ATA) (DBA Airlines for America), on behalf of its member 

airlines1 petitions the Administrator for an extension of Exemption No. 6140H. This 

exemption is scheduled to expire on August 31, 2012.

Exemption No. 6140H provides relief, under certain conditions and limitations, from 

provisions of 14 CFR § 121.309(f)(2) to the extent necessary to locate the aft 

megaphone at door 4-left on Boeing 747 aircraft. Similarly situated operators may 

petition to be included under an amendment to this exemption. 

As outlined in A4A's petition for exemption, the Boeing 747 (B-747) aircraft was 

certificated in accordance with 14 CFR §25 with the aft megaphone located at door 4-

left, instead of door 5-left, the most rearward door on the B-747. The B-747 has been 

in worldwide airline operation for more than 30 years, and the positioning of the aft 

megaphone at door 4-left has proved to be an advantageous location in emergency 

evacuations. Repositioning the aft megaphone from its current position at door 4-left 

to the most aft position, door 5-left, would not improve safety but would require 

airlines to expend resources unnecessarily.

 

Operator Members: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Atlas Air, Delta Air Lines, 

Evergreen International, Federal Express, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue Airways, 

Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, United Parcel Service Co., US Airways

Associate Member: Air Canada. 
Good cause exists to complete action on this petition by August 31, 2012, (14 CFR § 

11.81). With regard to public interest and equivalent levels of safety, the conditions 

and circumstances, which warranted the grant of this exemption continue to exist. 

Over 16 years of operational experience under this exemption demonstrates that 

granting a renewal of Exemption 6140H would not adversely affect safety and would 

be in the public interest.

Furthermore, the renewal of this exemption is not a controversial issue. This petition 

does not seek to establish a precedent, but merely continue an accepted and 

established practice. Accordingly, A4A requests that publication in the Federal Register

be waived as unnecessary (14 CFR §11.87).

A summary of this petition is attached as required by 14 CFR §11.81. If you have any 

questions or need additional information, please call me at (202) 626-4012.

Sincerely,

Airlines for America

By: _______/s/___________________ 

Paul W. Railsback

Director Operations

1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Suite 1100

Washington, D.C. 20004-1707 

(202) 626-4012

prailsback@airlines.org 

Attachment
Attachment

Docket No. 12416

May 21, 2012

SUMMARY OF A4A PETITION

Petitioner: Air Transport Association of America (ATA) DBA

Airlines for America

Regulation Affected: 14 CFR § 121.309(f)(2) 

Description of Relief Sought: Renew Exemption No. 6140H with no changes to 

the existing terms except to extend its termination 

date. Exemption 6140 allows operators to locate 

the aft megaphone at door 4-left on the Boeing 

747 (B747) aircraft.