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

required for Anthony to be able to us e 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 Anthony is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow Anthony 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 is 7 year’s old, weighs 52 pounds, and is ______ inches tall. My son ’s physical condition is as follows ; l issencephaly which is a brain abnormality. 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 am also submitting the following contact information:

Steve n Rivituso Private Pilot Certificate Number 3729070 Shorebird LLC Cessna Stationair N51964

and Patricia Rivituso 1112 Woodbridge Way W est Chester, PA 19380 Steverivituso@verizon.net pattyriv@verizon.net

I understa nd 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 Anthony be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by AmSafe, Inc.), even though he exceeds the manufacture r’s weight limits. This ensures a high level of safety for Anthony and a high level of safety for the other passengers and crew on the airplane. In fact, in Anthony’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 the safety for Anthony 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 comme rcial and private air transportation. Wi thout the support and security of the FAA Approved Child Restraint System, he wou ld be unable to fly

. 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 sameas those used in restraints fo r 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 wou ld 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 t here 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 Anthony only sits in a passenger seat with no passenger seated behind him. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a passenger seated behind Anthony while he is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operati ons under this exemption be conducted with at least one of Anthony’s parents or a caregiver accompanying him or her. In addition, I propose that Anthony’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. W e want to travel November 22,30th. 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 exce eds 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. W e 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 fo r him during the flight.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

Steven Rivituso