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DO overwater long flights have lifeboats for all?

CupCrusher40
Frequent Flyer B

ty

1 REPLY 1

Re: DO overwater long flights have lifeboats for all?

SoCalFlyer97
Frequent Flyer A
Solution

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By law, the answer is a definitive YES that such overwater flights carry both life rafts and life preservers or floatations to accommodate each occupant:

 

(a) No person may take off an airplane for a flight over water more than 50 nautical miles from the nearest shore unless that airplane is equipped with a life preserver or an approved flotation means for each occupant of the airplane.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may take off an airplane for flight over water more than 30 minutes flying time or 100 nautical miles from the nearest shore, whichever is less, unless it has on board the following survival equipment:

(1) A life preserver, equipped with an approved survivor locator light, for each occupant of the airplane.

(2) Enough liferafts (each equipped with an approved survival locator light) of a rated capacity and buoyancy to accommodate the occupants of the airplane.

 

14 CFR § 91.509 - Survival equipment for overwater operations.

FAA Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) Title 14—Aeronautics and Space

 

Each life raft is also required to have an attached survival kit.