FAR 91.509 — Overwater Survival Equipment
FAR 91.509 sets survival gear rules for airplane overwater flights: life preservers, liferafts, signaling devices, and emergency radio requirements.
In Plain English
FAR 91.509 spells out what survival gear an airplane must carry for overwater operations, scaled to how far you fly from shore.
- More than 50 NM from shore: Every occupant must have a life preserver or approved flotation means on board.
- More than 30 minutes flying time or 100 NM from shore (whichever is less): You need additional survival equipment:
- A life preserver with an approved survivor locator light for each occupant
- Enough liferafts (each with a locator light) to hold all occupants
- At least one pyrotechnic signaling device per liferaft
- A self-buoyant, water-resistant portable emergency radio that doesn't rely on aircraft power
- A lifeline stored per § 25.1411(g)
The gear must be in conspicuously marked, easily accessible locations because a ditching may leave no time to prep. Each required liferaft also needs a survival kit appropriate for the route. "Shore" means land above the high water mark — not areas that flood intermittently. This rule matters because ditching survival depends on having the right gear within arm's reach.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.509§ 91.509 Survival equipment for overwater operations.
(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.
(3) At least one pyrotechnic signaling device for each liferaft.
(4) One self-buoyant, water-resistant, portable emergency radio signaling device that is capable of transmission on the appropriate emergency frequency or frequencies and not dependent upon the airplane power supply.
(5) A lifeline stored in accordance with § 25.1411(g) of this chapter.
(c) A fractional ownership program manager under subpart K of this part may apply for a deviation from paragraphs (b)(2) through (5) of this section for a particular over water operation or the Administrator may amend the management specifications to require the carriage of all or any specific items of the equipment listed in paragraphs (b)(2) through (5) of this section.
(d) The required life rafts, life preservers, and signaling devices must be installed in conspicuously marked locations and easily accessible in the event of a ditching without appreciable time for preparatory procedures.
(e) A survival kit, appropriately equipped for the route to be flown, must be attached to each required life raft.
(f) As used in this section, the term shore means that area of the land adjacent to the water that is above the high water mark and excludes land areas that are intermittently under water.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34314, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-280, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1When is a life preserver required for each occupant on an overwater flight?
Per FAR 91.509(a), a life preserver or approved flotation means is required for each occupant any time the airplane operates more than 50 NM from the nearest shore.
Q2What additional survival equipment is required when flying more than 100 NM or 30 minutes from shore?
FAR 91.509(b) requires life preservers with survivor locator lights, enough liferafts with locator lights for all occupants, a pyrotechnic signaling device per raft, a self-buoyant portable emergency radio independent of aircraft power, and a lifeline.
Q3How must the required overwater survival equipment be stowed in the airplane?
FAR 91.509(d) requires the liferafts, life preservers, and signaling devices to be in conspicuously marked locations and easily accessible during a ditching with no time for preparation, and FAR 91.509(e) requires a route-appropriate survival kit attached to each raft.
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Related Sections in Part 91