Michael Celeste 

Boord Chair 

Rick Cyr 

Treasurer 

Stacy Varney 

Vice Chair 

li so Anderson 

lynn Bak 

Thomas Cyr 

Adam Dunbar 

Brion Fournier 

Patrick Gaetani 

Beth Goodrich 

Geoff locuessa 

Susan Koob 

Meredith leiter 

Susan MacMillan 

Rebecca Marr Paul Meserve 

Phillip Poirier 

Jennifer Richard 

Colette Sabbagh, MD 

Elizabeth Shissler 

Jon Tardiff 

STAFF 

Thomas Peoco 

Executive Director 

Kate Vickery 

Program Director 

Eileen Chretien 

Volunteer Director 

To Whom it May Concern: 

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

for Richard HamOn, II ("Ricky")to be able to use an FAA Approved Child Restraint 

System even though he exceeds the weight limits for the CRS. I am writing on behalf of 

Ricky, as I am the Program Diredor for Make-A-Wish Maine, and we are granting a 

wish to Ricky which requires his transport on commercial aircraft in order to make his 

wish come true. I am also requesting expedition of this request as the family Is 

scheduled to travel March 4-10. 2015. I apologize for the rush request but we have 

pulled this together very quickly for this family and are trying our best to cover all bases 

with regards to their travel plans. My formal request is as follows: 

I om writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311 (b) to the extent required 

for Richard HamOn, II 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 

Richard Hamlin. If is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 

121.311 (b) (2) (iii) (B) to the extent necessary to allow Ricky 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. 

Ricky is 12 year's old. weighs 72 pounds, and is 54 inches taiL His physical condition is 

Cerebral Palsy. As a result of his physical condition. he needs the support and securiiy 

provided by an FAA Approved Child Restraint. but because of his weight is incapable Sonya Purington Communications ond 

Marketing Director of compliance with the regulation. I am also submHting the foUowing contact 

information for Ricky's mother and primary caregiver, who will be traveHng with him at 

Meredith Jones 

Donor Core Manager 

Whitney Miller 

Office Manager 

all times: Tara Hamlin, 105 Unity Road. Albion, ME 04910 and thamlin77@yahoo.com. 

We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. 
emergency conditions. 

I propose that Ricky be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES. 

manufactured by AmSafe. Inc.}. even though he exceeds the manufacturer's weight 

limits. This ensures a high level of safety for Ricky and a high level of safety for the other 

passengers and crew on the aiplane. In fact. in Ricky's case. safety is greatty 

enhanced by the extra support and security that the FAA Approved Restraint System 

will provide during the entire flight. 

Enhancing safety for Ricky 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 ere 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 fimit of 44 pounds was established because. with the additional 

weight of the child attached to the seotback. the seatback would move forward more 

quickly in an accident scenc:rio and this might cause a hig-ter HIC load for the person 

seated in the seat behind the passenger using the CARES restraint (because the 

seatback moving forwad more quicldy 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 on equivalent level of safety as that provided by the affected 

regulation. I propose that all operations under this exemption be conducted with at 
Disney World, March 4-10, 2015. 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.lnc.). 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. 

Thank you for your consideration of this request. 

s~ 

Kale Vickery~ 

Program Director 

Make-A-Wish Maine 

kv1ckerv maine.w1sh.org 

207-221-2306 

Wish Child: Richard "Ricky" Hamlin, II 

Parent: Tara Hamlin 

Phone: 207-314-Q 136 

Address: 105 Unity Road. Albion. ME 04910