§ 136.11 - Rotorcraft floats for over water.

§ 136.11 Helicopter Rotorcraft floats for over water.

Cross Reference

Link to an amendment published at 88 FR 48091, July 26, 2023.

(a) A helicopter rotorcraft used in commercial air tours over water beyond the shoreline must be equipped with fixed floats or an inflatable flotation system adequate to accomplish a safe emergency ditching, if—

(1) It is a single-engine helicopterrotorcraft; or

(2) It is a multi-engine helicopter rotorcraft that cannot be operated with the critical engine inoperative at a weight that will allow it to climb, at least 50 feet a minute, at an altitude of 1,000 feet above the surface, as provided in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM)approved aircraft flight manual for that aircraft.

(b) Each helicopter rotorcraft that is required to be equipped with an inflatable flotation system under this section must have:

(1) The activation switch for the flotation system on one of the primary flight controls, ; and

(2) The flotation system armed when the helicopter rotorcraft is over water beyond the shoreline and is flying at a speed that does not exceed the maximum speed prescribed in the Rotorcraft Flight Manual approved aircraft flight manual for flying with the flotation system armed.

(c) Fixed Neither fixed floats or nor an inflatable flotation system is not required for a helicopter rotorcraft under this section ifwhen that rotorcraft is:

(1) The helicopter is over Over water only during the takeoff or landing portion of the flight, ; or

(2) The helicopter is operated Operated within power-off gliding distance to the shoreline for the duration of the flight and each occupant is wearing a life preserver from before takeoff until the aircraft is no longer over water.

(d) Air tour operators required to comply with paragraphs (a) and/or (b) of this section must meet these requirements on or before September 5, 2008.

[Docket No. FAA–2022–1563; Amdt. No. 136–2, 88 FR 48091, July 26, 2023]