I am writing to request an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b) to the extent required for **Joanna Esther Hunter** 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 gra nted, I request that any air carrier or commercial operator operating under part 121 while **Joanna Esther Hunter**  is aboard its aircraft is granted an exemption from 14 CFR § 121.311(b)(2)(iii)(B) to the extent necessary to allow **Joanna Esther Hunter** to exce ed 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 **daughter’s** physical condition is as follows **she has severe Cerebral Palsy and although she has little muscular control at 15 years old and at 70 pounds.**  As a result of **her** physical condition, **she** needs the support and security p rovided by an FAA Approved Child Restraint, but because of **her** weight she is incapable of compliance with the regulation. I understand that the regulation is written to create a high level of safety for each individual passenger by ensuring that t hey 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 ai rplane by being thrown into them during turbulent or emergency conditions. I propose that **Joanna Esther**  **Hunter** be allowed to occupy an FAA Approved Child Restraint (CARES, manufactured by AmSafe Corporation), even though **she** exceeds the manufacturer’s weight limits. This ensures a high level of safety for **Joanna Esther Hunter** and a high level of safety for the other passengers and crew on the airplane. In fact, in **Joanna'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 safety for **Joanna** is in the public interest. In addition, the public interest is also served by the fact that the use of this FAA Approved Child Restrain t System allows **her** to use commercial air transportation. 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 aircraft and would maintain their integrity if used by someo ne who weighed several h undred pounds. I believe that the limit of 44 pounds was established because, with the additional weight of the child attached to the seatba ck, 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 attenuate the energy from the impa ct of the person seated behind the person using the CA RES restraint). In order to achieve an equivalent level of safety as that provided by the affected regulation, I propose that the FAA establi sh a limitation in a grant to this petition that **Joanna** only sits in a passenger seat with no passenger seated beh ind her. Therefore, no unsafe condition would exist for a passenger seated behind **Joanna** while **she** is using the CARES restraint. I also propose that all operations under this exemption be conducted with at least one of **Joanna’s** parents or a caregiver accom panying him or her. In addition, I propose that **Joanna’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. We wa nt to travel **Marc h 26, 2012**  for my daughter’s wedding. If you take the time to put this in the Federal Register, it will delay the process and we may not be abl e to travel in this timeframe. If it is necessary to put a summary in the Federal Register, I submit the followin g: 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, ma nufactured 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 securi ty that the FAA Approved Restraint System will provide for **her** during the flight.