May 21 , 2012

U.S. Department of Transportation Docket Management System

400 7 th 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

airlines 1 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 inclu ded 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, Ameri can 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 exempt ion continue to exist.

Over 16 years of operational experience under this exemption demonstrates that granting a re newal 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 inf ormation, 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.o rg

AttachmentAttachment

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: Rene w Exemption No. 6140H with no changes to the existing terms except to extend its te rmination date. Exemption 6140 allows operators to locate the aft megaphone at door 4

- left on the Boeing 747 (B747) aircraft.