U.S. Departm€f11 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

September 9, 20 15 

Mr. Steve Donis and Mrs. Virginia Donis 

Parents of Maya Donis 

1770 Cumberland Green Drive 

Unit 236 

Saint Charles, IL 60174 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Donis: 

Exemption No. 12836 

800 Independence Ave . S W 

Washington. DC. 20591 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-3029 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our 

decision, explains its basis, and lists the conditions and limitations of the exemption, 

including the date it ends. 

The Basis for Our Decision 

By letter posted to the docket on July 20, 2015, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of your daughter Maya Donis for an exemption from 

§ 121.3 11 (b) of Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR). That exemption, if granted, 

would allow Maya to exceed the specified weight and/or height limit for an FAA-approved 

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

chi ld restraint system (CRS) aboard a United States (U.S.)-registered 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 Maya. 

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 persons with physical challenges had previously completed flights using 

restra int systems that 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 precedent regarding the use of restraint systems by persons 

with disabilities. 

AFS-15-3 112-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 Maya Donis an exemption from 

§ 121.311 (b). In addition, any air carrier or commercial operator operating under part 121 

while Maya is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311 (b) to the 

extent necessary to allow her to use an FAA-approved CRS aboard a U.S.-registered aircraft. 

AJl operations under this exemption must be conducted with one of Maya's parents or a 

caregiver accompanying her. Maya may only occupy a passenger seat with no passenger 

seated behind her. ln addition, Maya'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 tem1inates on August 31 , 2020, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

John S. Duncan 

D:irector, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosure