us Deportment 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

February 24, 2016 

Ms. Angie Andersen 

Parent of McKenzie Andersen 

I I 00 Madison Street South East 

Albany, OR 97322 

Ms. Nicole Canale, MPT 

Randall Children's Hospital 

280 1 Avenue North Gantenbein Avenue 

Portland, OR 97227 

Dear Ms. A11dersen and Ms. Canale: 

Exemption No. 14931 

800 Independence Ave . S w 

Washinglon. DC 20591 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2016-3 185 

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your req uest 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 February 2, 2016, you petitioned the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) on behalf of your daughter McKenzie Andersen for an exemption from 

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

would allow McKenzie to exceed the specified weight and/or height limit for an FAAapproved child restraint system (CAReS, manufactured by AmSafe Corporation), during use 

of that child 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 McKenzie. 

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 

restraint systems that addressed unique physical needs regarding safety, supp011, and security 

AFS-1 6-6634-E 
2 

in the same mrumer 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. 

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(t), 40113 and 44701, which the FAA 

Administrator has delegated to me, I hereby grant McKenzie Andersen an exemption from 

§ 121.3 1 I (b). In addition, any air carrier or commercial operator operating under part 121 

while McKenzie 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. 

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

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

behind her. In addition, McKenzie'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 terminates on February 28, 2021, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

~~jJJ0 

John Barbagallo 

Deputy Director, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosure