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

allow Savion Fuentes to occupy a Child Restraint System (CRS) that is not certified for 

use in aircraft during all phases of flight, including movement on the surface, takeoff and 

landing. In addition, if my petition is granted, I request that any air carrier operating 

under part 121 while Savion Fuentes is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 

14 CFR § 121.311(b) and 121.311(c) to the extent necessary to allow Savion Fuentes to 

occupy a CRS that is not certified for use in aircraft during all phases of flight, including 

movement on the surface, takeoff and landing

Savion Fuentes is 11 year’s old, weighs 45 pounds, and is 52 inches tall. Savion 

Fuentes’ physical condition is as follows: Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease. 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:

Angela Nixon 

10 Winard Circle

Sellersville, PA 18960

thefuentes4@gmail.com, 267-986-9695

Make-A-Wish Contact

Ashley Coyle

Make-A-Wish Philadelphia

5 Valley Square, Suite 210

Blue Bell, PA 19422

215-987-3106

acoyle@philadelphia.wish.org

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 Savion Fuentes be allowed to occupy a Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 CRS. 

Although the Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 CRS isn't certified for use on aircraft, it meets 

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 213 for use of child restraint systems in 

motor vehicles. The Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 CRS is manufactured by Graco, a car seat 

manufacturer. It is specifically designed to safely support and transport a child.

The Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 CRS will be securely strapped in the passenger seat of the 

aircraft using the existing lap belt of the aircraft. The lap belt's original functionality will 

be used as the primary means of occupant restraint. The Graco Nautilus 3 in 1 CRS will 

be placed in the window seat such that it will not restrict access to or use of any required 

emergency or regular exit, or of the aisle in the passenger cabin. The Graco Nautilus 3 in 
1 CRS will also not obstruct any passenger’s view of the “fasten seat belt” sign, “no 

smoking” sign or any required exit sign. 

This ensures a high level of safety for Savion Fuentes and a high level of safety for the 

other passengers and crew on the airplane. In fact, in Savion Fuentes’ 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 Savion Fuentes 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 this Child Restraint System, he would be unable to fly commercially.

I also propose that all operations under this exemption be conducted with at least one of 

Savion Fuentes’ parents or a caregiver accompanying him or her. In addition, I propose 

that Savion Fuentes’ 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 8/21/2015 – 8/27/2015. 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.

I believe that the FAA issued a grant of exemption in circumstances similar in all 

material respects to those presented in my petition. In Grant of Exemption 8264, the 

FAA found that it would be in the public interest and would provide a level of safety 

equivalent to that provided under the regulation.

The FAA also found that numerous persons, afflicted by disabilities similar to Savion 

Fuentes, such as the person described in Grant of Exemption No. 8264, have previously 

completed flights using CRS that have not been certified for use on aircraft.

I believe that my reasons for requesting an exemption do not differ materially from those 

presented by the petitioner in Grant of Exemption 8264. In addition, I believe that the 

reasons stated by the FAA for granting that exemption also apply to the situation I

present.

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 to allow a 

child to occupy a CRS that is not certified for use in aircraft during all phases of flight, 

including movement on the surface, takeoff and landing. Due to physical challenges, 

without the support and security of this Child Restraint System, this child would be 

unable to fly. Additionally, we request that any air carrier operating under part 121 would 

be granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) and 121.311(c)(2)(iv) to 

the extent necessary to allow this child to occupy a CRS that is not certified for use in 

aircraft during all phases of flight, including movement on the surface, takeoff and 
landing. In this case, the safety of this child is greatly enhanced by the extra support and

security that this Child Restraint System will provide during the flight.