Volume: 3Date: 2021-01-01Original Date: 2021-01-01Title: Section § 136.11 - Helicopter floats for over water.Context:
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space. CHAPTER I - FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (CONTINUED). SUBCHAPTER G - AIR CARRIERS AND OPERATORS FOR COMPENSATION OR HIRE: CERTIFICATION AND OPERATIONS. PART 136 - COMMERCIAL AIR TOURS AND NATIONAL PARKS AIR TOUR MANAGEMENT. Subpart A - National Air Tour Safety Standards.
§ 136.11Helicopter floats for over water.(a) A helicopter 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 helicopter; or(2) It is a multi-engine helicopter 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).(b) Each helicopter that is required to be equipped with an inflatable flotation system 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 is over water and is flying at a speed that does not exceed the maximum speed prescribed in the
Rotorcraft Flight Manual for flying with the flotation system armed.
Code of Federal Regulations /
Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space /
Vol. 3 / 2021-01-01543
(c) Fixed floats or an inflatable flotation system is not required for a helicopter under this section if:(1) The helicopter is over water only during the takeoff or landing portion of the flight, or(2) The helicopter is 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.