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 Hayley VanOster to be able to use an FAA Approved Child Restraint System even though she 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 Hayley is aboard i ts aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow Hayley 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 d aughter is 12 years old, weighs 57 pounds and is 50 inches tall. My daughter’s physical condition is as follo ws severe cerebral palsy with brain encephalopathy requiring use of wheelchair with trunk support and a special car seat for use in a vehicle. As a result of her physical condition, she needs the support and security provided by an FAA Approved C hild Restr aint, but because of her weight is incapable of compliance with the regulation. I am also submitting the following contact information: Rhonda VanOster, 21093 Russell Lane, Rayville, MO 64084 and Rhonda.vanoster@hcahealthcare.com.

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 passen gers on the airplane by being thrown into them during turbulent or emergency conditions.

I propose that Hayley be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by AmSafe, Inc.), even though she exceeds the manufacturer’s weight li mits. This ensures a high level of safety for Hayley and a high level of safety for the other passengers and crew on the airplane. In fact, in Hayley’s case, safety is greatly enhanced by the extra support and security that the FAA Approved Restraint Syste m will provide during the entire flight.

Enhancing safety for Hayley 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 her to use commercial air transport ation. Without the support and security of the FAA Approved Child Restraint System, she 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 airc raft 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 attenua te 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 thi s petition that Hayley only sits in a passenger seat with no passenger seated behind her. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a passenger seated behind Hayley while she is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operations under this exemption be conducted with at least one of Hayley’s parents or a caregiver accompanying him or her. In addition, I propose that Hayley’s parent or caregiver must carry a copy of this exemption.

I also request that the processing of this petition not be d elayed for publication and comment in the Federal Register. We want to travel June 22

– June30, 2013 . 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 she 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 her d uring the flight.