I am writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b) to the extent required for (Lana Alamari) 

to be able to use an FAA Approved Child Restraint System even though (she) exceeds the weight limits 

for the CRS. In addition, if my petition is granted, I request that any air carrier or commercial operator 

operating under part 121 while (Lana Alamari) is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR 

§ 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow (Lana Alamari) to exceed the specified weight limit 

for an FAA-approved child restraint system during use of that child restraint system aboard an aircraft.

I believe the pertinent section from 14 CFR part 121 from which we seek relief is Section 121.311 Seats, 

safety belts, and shoulder harnesses.

My daughter is 9 year’s old, weighs 56 pounds, and is 40 inches tall. My daughter’s physical condition is 

as follows (has brain injury). As a result of (her) physical condition, (she) needs the support and security 

provided by an FAA Approved Child Restraint, but because of (her) weight is incapable of compliance 

with the regulation. I am also submitting the following contact information: (Hayat Sadoun, 2009

mill pond Rd Garland, TX 75044 and Hayat15@yahoo.com)

I understand that the regulation is written to create a high level of safety for each individual passenger by 

ensuring that they are securely restrained in their seats during all phases of flight. The regulation also 

ensures that an individual does not cause harm to other passengers on the airplane by being thrown into 

them during turbulent or emergency conditions.

I propose that (Lana Alamari) be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES, 

manufactured by AmSafe, Inc.), even though (she) exceeds the manufacturer’s weight limits. This 

ensures a high level of safety for (Lana Alamari) and a high level of safety for the other passengers and 

crew on the airplane. In fact, in (Lana Alamari)’s case, safety is greatly enhanced by the extra support 

and security that the FAA Approved Restraint System will provide during the entire flight.

Enhancing safety for (Lana Alamari) is in the public interest. In addition, the public interest is also served 

by the fact that the use of this FAA Approved Child Restraint System allows (her) to use commercial air 

transportation. Without the support and security of the FAA Approved Child Restraint System, (she) 

would be unable to fly commercially.

I also believe that, with certain limitations established by the FAA in a grant to this petition, there can be 

an equivalent level of safety to that provided by the affected regulation. The CARES restraint has been 

certified by the manufacturer for use by children 22- 44 pounds. However, the components of the CARES 

restraint are the same as those used in restraints for adults on aircraft and would maintain their integrity if 

used by someone who weighed several hundred pounds.

I believe that the limit of 44 pounds was established because, with the additional weight of the child 

attached to the seatback, the seatback would move forward more quickly in an accident scenario and this 

might cause a higher HIC load for the person seated in the seat behind the passenger using the CARES 
restraint (because the seatback moving forward more quickly would mean that it would not be there to 

attenuate the energy from the impact of the person seated behind the person using the CARES restraint).

In order to achieve an equivalent level of safety as that provided by the affected regulation, I propose that 

the FAA establish a limitation in a grant to this petition that (Lana Alamari) only sits in a passenger seat 

with no passenger seated behind her. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a passenger seated 

behind (Lana Alamari) while (she) is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operations under 

this exemption be conducted with at least one of (Lana Alamari’s) parents or a caregiver accompanying 

him or her. In addition, I propose that (Lana Alamari’s) parent or caregiver must carry a copy of this 

exemption.

I also request that the processing of this petition not be delayed for publication and comment in the 

Federal Register. We want to travel (December 11 to January 7). If you take the time to put this in the 

Federal Register, it will delay the process and we may not be able to travel in this timeframe.

If it 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 of this 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 by AmSafe, Inc.), even though (she) exceeds the 

manufacturer’s weight limits of 44 pounds. In this case, the safety of this 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 of this request.