U.S. Department 

of Transportation 

Federal Aviation 

Administration 

September 18,2015 

Mr. Wilberto Baez 

Parent of Stephanie Townsell 

I3303 Graham Yarden Drive 

Riverview, FL 33579 

Dear Ms. Smith: 

Exemption No. 12922 

800 Independence Ave .. S W 

Washington. DC 2059 1 

Regulatory Docket No. FAA-2015-3027 

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 Stephanie Townsell for an exemption from 

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

would allow Stephanie 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 Stephanie. 

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, 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- I 5-3 I 1 0-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 

ofExemption 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 Stephanie Townsell an exemption from 

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

while Stephanie 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 Stephanie's parent or a caregiver 

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

behind her. In addition, Stephanie'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 July 31, 2020, unless sooner superseded or rescinded. 

Sincerely, 

John S. Duncan 

D:irector, Flight Standards Service 

Enclosure