FAR 91.1035 — Passenger Awareness Briefings
FAR 91.1035 requires pre-takeoff passenger briefings on program flights. Learn what items must be covered, who delivers it, and the printed card rules.
In Plain English
FAR 91.1035 sets the passenger briefing requirements for program flights under fractional ownership operations (Subpart K). Before every takeoff, the pilot in command must ensure passengers receive an oral briefing covering:
- Smoking rules, lighted signs, no-smoking placards, and lavatory restrictions
- Safety belts and shoulder harnesses, plus child restraint systems when applicable
- Seat backs upright for takeoff and landing
- Location and operation of the passenger entry door and emergency exits
- Location of survival equipment
- Ditching procedures and flotation equipment for overwater flights (per § 91.509)
- Normal and emergency use of oxygen
- Location and operation of fire extinguishers
Passengers needing assistance to evacuate (and their attendants) must get an individual briefing on evacuation procedures. The PIC must also tell passengers who has operational control of the flight. The briefing must be given by the PIC or another crewmember, though paragraph (a) items may be played from an approved recording. The oral briefing must be backed up by printed safety cards appropriate to the aircraft, showing emergency exit diagrams and emergency equipment instructions. This rule matters because it puts direct, pre-takeoff safety responsibility on the PIC for every leg.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.1035§ 91.1035 Passenger awareness.
(a) Prior to each takeoff, the pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers on a program flight must ensure that all passengers have been orally briefed on—
(1)Each passenger must be briefed on when, where, and under what conditions smoking is prohibited. This briefing must include a statement, as appropriate, that the regulations require passenger compliance with lighted passenger information signs and no smoking placards, prohibit smoking in lavatories, and require compliance with crewmember instructions with regard to these items;
(2)Each passenger must be briefed on when, where and under what conditions it is necessary to have his or her safety belt and, if installed, his or her shoulder harness fastened about him or her, and if a child is being transported, the appropriate use of child restraint systems, if available. This briefing must include a statement, as appropriate, that the regulations require passenger compliance with the lighted passenger information sign and/or crewmember instructions with regard to these items;
(3) The placement of seat backs in an upright position before takeoff and landing;
(4) Location and means for opening the passenger entry door and emergency exits;
(5) Location of survival equipment;
(6) Ditching procedures and the use of flotation equipment required under § 91.509 for a flight over water;
(7) The normal and emergency use of oxygen installed in the aircraft; and
(8) Location and operation of fire extinguishers.
(b) Prior to each takeoff, the pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers on a program flight must ensure that each person who may need the assistance of another person to move expeditiously to an exit if an emergency occurs and that person's attendant, if any, has received a briefing as to the procedures to be followed if an evacuation occurs. This paragraph does not apply to a person who has been given a briefing before a previous leg of that flight in the same aircraft.
(c) Prior to each takeoff, the pilot in command must advise the passengers of the name of the entity in operational control of the flight.
(d) The oral briefings required by paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this section must be given by the pilot in command or another crewmember.
(e) The oral briefing required by paragraph (a) of this section may be delivered by means of an approved recording playback device that is audible to each passenger under normal noise levels.
(f) The oral briefing required by paragraph (a) of this section must be supplemented by printed cards that must be carried in the aircraft in locations convenient for the use of each passenger. The cards must—
(1) Be appropriate for the aircraft on which they are to be used;
(2) Contain a diagram of, and method of operating, the emergency exits; and
(3) Contain other instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment on board the aircraft.
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1On a fractional program flight, who is responsible for ensuring the passenger briefing is completed, and who may actually deliver it?
Per FAR 91.1035(a) and (d), the pilot in command is responsible for ensuring the briefing occurs, but it may be delivered by the PIC, another crewmember, or for paragraph (a) items, an approved recording audible to each passenger.
Q2What items must be covered in the pre-takeoff oral passenger briefing on a program flight?
FAR 91.1035(a) requires briefing on smoking rules, safety belts and child restraints, seat backs upright, entry door and emergency exits, survival equipment, ditching and flotation gear for overwater flights, oxygen use, and fire extinguishers.
Q3Are printed safety cards required in addition to the oral briefing, and what must they contain?
Yes. FAR 91.1035(f) requires printed cards convenient to each passenger that are appropriate for the aircraft, contain a diagram and method of operating the emergency exits, and include other instructions for using onboard emergency equipment.
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Related Sections in Part 91