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What Experts Say:

All children 40 lbs and under should be in child safety seats on airplanes.

CARES for Special Needs Flyers

ARE YOU FLYING WITH A 

If your child has a disability that requires hauling a brace to provide upper body support in an airplane 

seat, you know what a hassle it is to make arrangements months in ad

have to do it again before each subsequent trip! Check with your child’s physician or physical 

therapist to determine if the CARES child aviation restraint provides sufficient upper body support for 

your child. If it does - no more having to make arrangement weeks or months in advance with airlines 

because CARES is already certified for kids 22

carry your 1 pound CARES on board in your pocket or purse, install it on 

know that your child is secure for taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing. 

YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS FLYER OVER 44 LBS AND 40 INCHES TALL CAN NOW

ALSO USE CARES.

Your special needs flyer over 44 pounds can now also use CARES. Be su

front of the bulkhead to be able to use it during all phases of flight from takeoff to landing. 

To use CARES on all US airlines, older children, teens, and adults with special needs must make a 

request to the FAA for an “exemptio

“exemption” will apply to ALL future flights. The instructions for filing this request follow. 

NOTE: When you are ready to purchase your CARES 

the regular CARES will fit. If your special needs flyer is close to, or over 5 ft tall, you want to purchase 

“SPECIAL CARES” which extends to accommodate an adult flyer up to 6 ft.” 

Sign up for the CARES Newsletter

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All children 40 lbs and under should be in child safety seats on airplanes.

~The National Safe Kids Campaign

CARES for Special Needs Flyers

ARE YOU FLYING WITH A CHILD WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS?

If your child has a disability that requires hauling a brace to provide upper body support in an airplane 

seat, you know what a hassle it is to make arrangements months in advance with the airline. And you 

have to do it again before each subsequent trip! Check with your child’s physician or physical 

therapist to determine if the CARES child aviation restraint provides sufficient upper body support for 

no more having to make arrangement weeks or months in advance with airlines 

because CARES is already certified for kids 22-44 lbs for all phases of flight. So, just book your flight, 

carry your 1 pound CARES on board in your pocket or purse, install it on any seat in one minute. And 

know that your child is secure for taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing. 

YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS FLYER OVER 44 LBS AND 40 INCHES TALL CAN NOW

Your special needs flyer over 44 pounds can now also use CARES. Be sure you ask for the

the bulkhead to be able to use it during all phases of flight from takeoff to landing. 

To use CARES on all US airlines, older children, teens, and adults with special needs must make a 

request to the FAA for an “exemption” from the standard CARES height and weight limits. This 

“exemption” will apply to ALL future flights. The instructions for filing this request follow. 

NOTE: When you are ready to purchase your CARES – if your special needs flyer is under 5 ft tall, 

regular CARES will fit. If your special needs flyer is close to, or over 5 ft tall, you want to purchase 

“SPECIAL CARES” which extends to accommodate an adult flyer up to 6 ft.” 

Sign up for the CARES Newsletter

~The National Safe Kids Campaign

If your child has a disability that requires hauling a brace to provide upper body support in an airplane 

vance with the airline. And you 

have to do it again before each subsequent trip! Check with your child’s physician or physical 

therapist to determine if the CARES child aviation restraint provides sufficient upper body support for 

no more having to make arrangement weeks or months in advance with airlines 

44 lbs for all phases of flight. So, just book your flight, 

any seat in one minute. And 

YOUR SPECIAL NEEDS FLYER OVER 44 LBS AND 40 INCHES TALL CAN NOW

re you ask for the row in 

the bulkhead to be able to use it during all phases of flight from takeoff to landing. 

To use CARES on all US airlines, older children, teens, and adults with special needs must make a 

n” from the standard CARES height and weight limits. This 

“exemption” will apply to ALL future flights. The instructions for filing this request follow. 

if your special needs flyer is under 5 ft tall, 

regular CARES will fit. If your special needs flyer is close to, or over 5 ft tall, you want to purchase 
To make your request (which the FAA calls a “Petition for Exemption”), please follow the procedure 

below: 

1. Complete the items printed in italics in the letter entitled "Request to Use CARES 

for Larger/Older Persons" below

2. Copy the entire completed text below. Paste the copied text into a document. Save 

it with the name "Request to Use CARES" and save it to your desktop.

3. Go to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2007-0001-0001

4. Click the “Submit a Comment” button.

5. Fill out the information in #1 on the left.

6. Go to #3 "Upload File(s)". Click the "Browse" button and go to your desktop and 

upload the document named "Request to Use CARES" letter. 

7. Click “Submit”

If you need further assistance, contact nancy.l.claussenREMOVETHISBEFORESENDING@faa.gov. 

Request to Use CARES for Larger/Older Persons

I am writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b) 

to the extent required for Christopher to be able to use an 

FAA Approved Child Restraint System even though he 

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 (name) is aboard its aircraft is 

granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to 

the extent necessary to allow Christopher 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 son's physical condition is as follows he is 39 inches and 

weighs 65 pounds. His weight surpasses the weight 

requirement needed for the CARES restraint. As a result of 

his physical condition, he needs the support and security 
provided by an FAA Approved Child Restraint, but because of 

his weight is incapable of compliance with the regulation. 

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 Christopher be allowed to occupy an FAA 

Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by AmSafe 

Corporation), even though he exceeds the manufacturer’s 

weight limits. This ensures a high level of safety for 

Christopher and a high level of safety for the other 

passengers and crew on the airplane. In fact, in Christopher'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 Christopher 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 him to 

use commercial air transportation. Without the support and 

security of the FAA Approved Child Restraint System, he 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 Christopher 

only sits in a passenger seat with no passenger seated behind 

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

seated behind Christopher while he is using the CARES 

restraint. I also propose that all operations under this 

exemption be conducted with at least one of Christopher’s

parents or a caregiver accompanying him or her. In addition, I 

propose that Christopher’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 (travel dates). 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 he 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 him during the flight. 

The link below is the actual FAA Government Document for YOUR information and need not 

be included in your request to use CARES for your special needs larger child, teenager, or 

adult.

For the text of Section 121.311 of "FAA Government Document: SEATS, SAFETY, AND SHOULDER 

HARNESS" click here.

SEATS, SAFETY, AND SHOULDER HARNESS

(b) Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board an airplane operated under this part 

shall occupy an approved seat or berth with a separate safety belt properly secured about him or her 

during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. A safety belt provided for the occupant of a 

seat may not be used by more than one person who has reached his or her second birthday. 

Notwithstanding the preceding requirements, a child may: 

(1) Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided the child has not 

reached his or her second birthday and the child does not occupy or use any restraining device; or 

(2) Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, occupy an approved child restraint system 

furnished by the certificate holder or one of the persons described in paragraph (b)(2)(i) of this 

section, provided: 

(i) The child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant designated by the child's parent or 

guardian to attend to the safety of the child during the flight; 

(ii) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2)(ii)(D) of this section, the approved child restraint system 

bears one or more labels as follows: 

(A) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards between January 1, 1981, and February 25, 1985, must 

bear the label: “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety 

standards.” 
(B) Seats manufactured to U.S. standards on or after February 26, 1985, must bear two labels: 

(1) “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards”; 

and 

(2) “THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT” in red 

lettering; 

(C) Seats that do not qualify under paragraphs (B)(2)(ii)(A) and (b)(2)(ii)(B) of this section must bear a 

label or markings showing: 

(1) That the seat was approved by a foreign government; 

(2) That the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations; or 

(3) That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the certificate holder was approved by the FAA 

through Type Certificate or Supplemental Type Certificate. 

(4) That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the certificate holder, or one of the persons 

described in paragraph (b) (2) (i) of this section, was approved by the FAA in accordance with 

§21.305(d) or Technical Standard Order C–100b, or a later version. 

(D) Except as provided in §121.311(b)(2)(ii)(C)( 3 ) and §121.311(b)(2)(ii)(C)( 4 ), booster-type child 

restraint systems (as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213 (49 CFR 571.213)), 

vest- and harness-type child restraint systems, and lap held child restraints are not approved for use 

in aircraft; and 

(iii) The certificate holder complies with the following requirements: 

(A) The restraint system must be properly secured to an approved forward-facing seat or berth; 

(B) The child must be properly secured in the restraint system and must not exceed the specified 

weight limit for the restraint system; and 

(C) The restraint system must bear the appropriate label(s). 

News about Special Needs Kids

CARES Available at Adaptivemall.com, a Leading Website for Equipment for Children with 

Special Needs

Read Full Article
Older Kids With Special Needs Can Use CARES

Read Full Article

What Users Say

Used CARES for our then 13 Month old son on flights from Nuremberg to Munich from 

Munich to Beijing. Good experience, much more convenient than the car seat and 

much better accepted by our child. 

~Michael, Germany

Read More

CARES Awards

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The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open

the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your computer, and then

open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and

then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.
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The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your 

computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your 

computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x

still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been

corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then 

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been corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the

image and then insert it again.
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© 2005–2011 by Kids Fly Safe. All rights reserved.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been

corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then 

insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. 

Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.

The image cannot be displayed.

Your computer may not have 

enough memory to open the 

image, or the image may have

been corrupted. Restart your 

computer, and then open the file

again. If the red x still appears, you

may have to delete the image and

then insert it again.