FAR 91.519 — Passenger Briefing
FAR 91.519 requires the PIC of a large/turbine airplane to brief passengers on smoking, seat belts, exits, survival gear, ditching, and oxygen before takeoff.
In Plain English
FAR 91.519 sets the passenger briefing requirements for airplanes operated under the large and turbine-powered multiengine rules of Subpart F. Before every takeoff, the pilot in command must ensure that all passengers receive an oral briefing covering:
- Smoking rules — when, where, and under what conditions it is prohibited, including compliance with lighted signs, no-smoking placards, and the lavatory smoking ban.
- Safety belts and shoulder harnesses — when and how they must be fastened, and compliance with lighted signs and crew instructions.
- Passenger entry door and emergency exits — location and how to open them.
- Survival equipment location.
- Ditching procedures and flotation equipment required under §91.509 for overwater flights.
- Oxygen equipment — both normal and emergency use.
The briefing may be given by the PIC or a crewmember, and can be skipped if the PIC determines the passengers are already familiar with it. Printed cards specific to the airplane type may supplement (but not replace) the oral briefing. For Subpart K fractional operations, §91.1035 applies instead. This rule matters because in an emergency, passengers who already know how to use exits, belts, oxygen, and flotation gear save critical seconds.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 91.519§ 91.519 Passenger briefing.
(a) Before each takeoff the pilot in command of an airplane carrying passengers shall ensure that all passengers have been orally briefed on—
(1)Each passenger shall be briefed on when, where, and under what conditions smoking is prohibited. This briefing shall include a statement, as appropriate, that the Federal Aviation 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 shall 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. This briefing shall include a statement, as appropriate, that Federal Aviation Regulations require passenger compliance with the lighted passenger sign and/or crewmember instructions with regard to these items;
(3) Location and means for opening the passenger entry door and emergency exits;
(4) Location of survival equipment;
(5) Ditching procedures and the use of flotation equipment required under § 91.509 for a flight over water; and
(6) The normal and emergency use of oxygen equipment installed on the airplane.
(b) The oral briefing required by paragraph (a) of this section shall be given by the pilot in command or a member of the crew, but need not be given when the pilot in command determines that the passengers are familiar with the contents of the briefing. It may be supplemented by printed cards for the use of each passenger containing—
(1) A diagram of, and methods of operating, the emergency exits; and
(2) Other instructions necessary for use of emergency equipment.
(c) Each card used under paragraph (b) must be carried in convenient locations on the airplane for the use of each passenger and must contain information that is pertinent only to the type and model airplane on which it is used.
(d) For operations under subpart K of this part, the passenger briefing requirements of § 91.1035 apply, instead of the requirements of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.
[Docket 18334, 54 FR 34314, Aug. 18, 1989, as amended by Amdt. 91-231, 57 FR 42672, Sept. 15, 1992; Amdt. 91-280, 68 FR 54561, Sept. 17, 2003]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who is responsible for the passenger briefing on a large airplane, and when must it be given?
Per FAR 91.519(a), the pilot in command must ensure passengers are orally briefed before each takeoff, though the briefing itself may be delivered by the PIC or any crewmember under FAR 91.519(b).
Q2What items must be covered in the pre-takeoff passenger briefing under FAR 91.519?
FAR 91.519(a) requires briefing on smoking rules, safety belts/shoulder harnesses, the passenger entry door and emergency exits, survival equipment location, ditching procedures and flotation equipment for overwater flights, and the normal and emergency use of oxygen.
Q3Can printed briefing cards replace the oral briefing required by FAR 91.519?
No. FAR 91.519(b) allows printed cards only to supplement the oral briefing, and FAR 91.519(c) requires those cards to be carried in convenient locations and contain information specific to that type and model of airplane.
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Related Sections in Part 91