Appendix A A-9 Safety Recommendations describe the importance of safety briefings and safety information cards and establish the necessity for unambiguous directions to passengers regarding the availability and location of flotation equipment. NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081 suggests that passengers must be aware of lifelines installed in the window frame. These lifelines are typically designed to assist passengers egressing through an overwing exit during a ditching or unplanned water landing. F/As must emphasize during the briefing that not all aircraft equipment is identical, and a review of the safety information card is important. Safety information briefing cards with pictorials and illustrations of overwater equipment, including lifelines must be specific to the aircraft type and model. Safety information briefing cards should not commingle extended overwater and non-extended-overwater equipment on the same card (refer to §§ 121.571(b) and 125.327).
A.4.1.14 Deterring Crewmember Interference. In response to Section 432 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, the FAA strongly encourages operators to include in pretakeoff passenger briefings information on the prohibition of crewmember interference. Information found in Title 49 of the United States Code (49 U.S.C.) and §§ 121.580 and 125.328 may be used in developing the recommended briefings.
1. Section 463 18, Interference With Cabin o r Flight Crew (excerpt):
“(a) GENERAL RULE.—An individual who physically or sexually assaults or threatens to physically or sexually assault a member of the flight crew or cabin crew of a civil aircraft or any other individual on the aircraft, or takes any action that poses an imminent threat to the safety of the aircraft or other individuals on the aircraft is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $35,000.”
2. Section 465 04, Interference With Flight Crew Members and Attendants: “An individual on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States who, by assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member or flight attendant of the aircraft, interferes with the performance of the duties of the member or attendant or lessens the ability of the member or attendant to perform those duties, or attempts or conspires to do such an act, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. However, if a dangerous weapon is used in assaulting or intimidating the member or attendant, the individual shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life.”
A.4.2 Post-Ta keoff Seatbelts (Including Seatbelts, Airbag Seatbelts, and Shoulder Harness Lap Belt Combinations). Immediately before or after the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is turned on, an announcement must be made that passengers must keep their seatbelts fastened while seated. It is recommended to include in the announcement that passengers should keep their seat belts fastened even if the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is turned off. The possibility of encountering unexpected turbulence should be emphasized to passengers. Blatant and repeated disregard for crewmember instructions regarding the seatbelt sign compliance
Appendix A A-10 must be reported to the PIC as a potential noncompliant, disruptive passenger. (Refer to §§ 121.317(f) and (k), 121.571(1)(iii), and 125.327(a)(2).)
A.4.3 Prelanding. A prelanding briefing is recommended and should include the following:
• Seatbelts must be securely fastened.
• Exit seat visual and verbal validation.
• PEDs, such as laptop computers and DVD players, should be powered down and stowed. An operator must provide instructions for stowing or securing all PEDs during critical phases of flight (refer to InFO 13010).
• Tray tables must be secured in their stowed position.
• Seat backs must be in a fully upright position; sleeper seats and lie-flat seats must be returned to taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTL) position; and seats with adjustable footrest and headrests must be retracted.
• Food, beverages, or tableware must be picked up.
• Carry-on baggage and movie/video screens must be properly stowed for landing.
A.4.4 Postlanding. Postlanding safety instructions are not required by regulation; however, they are the industry standard practice. After landing, an F/A or other appropriate crewmember should inform passengers to remain seated with seatbelts fastened until the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign has been turned off. This announcement should be accompanied by an explanation that this is for passenger safety and the safety of those seated around them. The signal to release the seatbelt, gather belongings, and proceed to the exit is when the pilot turns off the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign. In addition, passengers should be reminded to use caution when opening the overhead bins; items may have shifted and could potentially injure seated passengers by falling from overhead bins. Passengers should be cautioned on the appropriate time to use cell phones in accordance with operator procedures. Passengers should also be reminded about prohibitions against smoking.
A.5 Passenger Sa fety Information Briefing Cards. Oral briefings must be supplemented with safety information briefing cards, which must be pertinent only to that type and model of the aircraft, and consistent with the operator’s procedures (refer to §§ 121.571 and 125.327). The information on the safety information briefing cards should be consistent with the information contained in the operator’s manuals. When the safetyrelated aspects of aircraft equipment are different, even within the same model of aircraft, the operator should provide safety information briefing cards specific to that aircraft.
Merely labeling exits, liferafts, or other safety-related equipment with the type and model of aircraft is not sufficient. Safety information briefing cards must show the most common method used to operate the emergency exits in an emergency. They must also show the location and other instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment, including lavatory oxygen masks and lifelines. As stated in the Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) research study titled, Effective Presentation Media for Passenger Safety I: Comprehension of Briefing Card Pictorials and Pictograms:
Appendix A A-11 “Production of briefing card materials would benefit from application of wellknown educational principles and instructional techniques from outside aviation, whether produced by professional graphics designers or in-house airline cabin safety professionals… Additional safety briefing card elements that could assist in the passenger education process would include some amount of textual information to focus attention, highlight concepts, and simplify complex pictorials/pictograms. Such clarifications to make the safety information more meaningful could be expected to improve the poor passenger attention to briefing cards prevalent throughout commercial aviation and enhance the personal knowledge and understanding of typical passengers.
“Standardization of validated safety briefing card information and presentation methods across the airline industry would provide not only a well-founded, consistent safety message, but also a degree of familiarity and, therefore, comprehension never before seen. Finally, adequate conveyance of safety information to passengers will avoid delays and difficulties that could result in injuries and fatalities when emergencies occur.”
A.5.1 Design, Location, and Layout. Consideration of the design, dimensions, layout, and location of the passenger safety information briefing card can significantly contribute to passenger safety education. The passenger safety information card must be designed and located such that the seated passenger will be able to see and have access to the safety information card when it is placed in its normal location aboard the aircraft. The passenger safety information card should be large enough so that when placed in its normal location aboard the aircraft, the passenger seated for TTL position will be able to visually locate and identify the safety information card. It should not be possible for the safety information card, when it is in its normal location, to slip out of the sight of the passenger. The safety information card should have an eye-catching title or symbol identifying itself as safety or emergency instructions. The mode of presentation should be diagrammatic or pictorial, making written information, to the extent possible, unnecessary. The information on the safety information card must apply to only the type and model of aircraft on which it is used. The method used to depict equipment and actions can be pictures of people, diagrams, drawings, words, or combinations of these.
The use of international symbols is encouraged. All depictions should be easy to understand and not complex. Safety information cards should also be interesting and attractive so passengers will want to read them. For example, a multicolored card that has pictures and drawings will be picked up and read more often than a black and white printed card. Information regarding exit seating should be printed on the safety information card in the languages used by the operator (refer to §§ 121.571(b) and
125.327(c)).
A.5.2 Extraneous Information. Passeng er safety information briefing cards should contain only information that is essential for safety. Each safety information briefing card must contain information pertinent only to the type and model of airplane used for that flight. For example, advertising, schedules, or promotional sales information is not safety-related and should not be on the cards (refer to §§ 121.571(b) and 125.327(c)).
Appendix A A-12 A.5.3 Content. Saf ety information briefing cards must supplement oral briefings to provide information to passengers to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements:
A.5.3.1 Pass enger Compliance With Safety Information. The instructions on the safety information briefing cards must advise passengers that they must comply with safety instructions including signs, placards, and instructions from crewmembers (refer to §§ 121.317, 121.571, and 125.327).
A.5.3.2 Smoking. The passenger safety information briefing cards must inform passengers that smoking, including e-cigarettes and vape devices, is prohibited in the aircraft lavatory at all times (refer to §§ 121.317, 121.571, and 125.327).
A.5.3.3 Floor Proximity Emergency Lighting. The passenger safety information cards should inform passengers that emergency egress lights are located on or in the vicinity of the floor of the aircraft (refer to §§ 121.571 and 125.327).
A.5.3.4 Exit Seating. An exit seat is a seat with direct access to an emergency exit without entering an aisle or passing around an obstruction. The passenger safety information briefing must call attention to the briefing card located at each exit seat (CHs may elect to incorporate the additional information required to be included in the exit seating briefing cards into the standard safety information briefing cards required for the use of all passengers). Any revised exit seating information card must meet the requirements of § 121.585(b), (d), and (e). Exit seating information briefing cards are part of the approved Exit Seating Program confirmed by the FAA certificate management office (CMO) and described or referenced in Operations Specification (OpSpec) A022, Approved Exit Seat Program.
A.5.3.5 Exit Location. The safety information briefing cards must give the location of every available exit in the cabin. The safety information cards should encourage passengers to familiarize themselves with the location of exits other than the one they entered (refer to §§ 121.571, 121.585, and 125.327).
A.5.3.6 Exit Operations. The safety information briefing cards must contain diagrams depicting the emergency opening of each exit type. Any manual operations necessary to successfully complete an evacuation, such as arming, manual inflation of the evacuation slide, location of lifelines, operation of the stairs, or the placement of the hatch type exit on the seat or outside the aircraft must be included. The procedures for the placement of the hatch type exit should be consistent with the procedures in the operator’s manual. Showing more than one method of opening a door could be confusing. Lessons learned from interviews with surviving passengers indicated that confusion is sometimes created by a diagram or pictograph of an exit operation only on one side of the aircraft. If, for instance, all the emergency door handles rotate toward the rear of the aircraft, this must be explained on the safety
Appendix A A-13 i nformation cards. The explanation should show that handles are rotated in the direction of the arrow (refer to §§ 121.571, 121.585, and 125.327).
A .5.3.7 Evacuation Slide/Assist Means. The safety information briefing cards must contain instructions for passengers to exit the aircraft and use the slide or other assist means in a manner consistent with the exits on that aircraft. Evacuation instructions for slides, stairs, and window exits depicted on safety information briefing cards must be in accordance with manufacturers’ specification and type certification (refer to §§ 121.571, 121.585, and 125.327).
A.5.3.8 Overwing Exit Use. The safety information briefing cards must contain instructions illustrating the proper method of egressing through an overwing exit. Safety information briefing cards must also contain instructions for passengers to walk or run on any ramp that leads from an exit. The direction and route of escape after leaving overwing exits must also be included. The procedure for placement of the window exit plug must be consistent with the procedure in the operator’s manual (refer to §§ 121.571, 121.585, and
125.327). NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081, following US Airways Flight 1549 ditching on the Hudson River,9 states that passengers should be aware of lifelines installed in the window frame. These assist devices are typically designed to assist passengers egressing through an overwing exit or boarding a raft during a ditching or unplanned water landing. Where certification for ditching in accordance with 14 CFR part 25, § 25.801 is applicable, there must be provisions to store lifelines. Accordingly, safety information briefing cards must identify lifeline stowage and instructions to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching. Life line provisions are described in § 25.1411, which states:
9 NTSB Aircraft Accident Report, Loss of Thrust in Both Engines After Encountering a Flock of Birds and Subsequent Ditching on the Hudson River, US Airways Flight 1549, Airbus A320-214, N106US, Weehawken, New Jersey, January 15, 2009, available at https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1003.pdf.
“(g) Life line stowage provisions. If certification for ditching under § 25.801 is requested, there must be provisions to store life lines. These provisions must—
(1) Allow one life line to be attached to each side of the fuselage; and
(2) Be arranged to allow the life lines to be used to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.”
A.5.3.9 Carry-On Baggage. The safety information briefing cards should inform passengers that in an emergency situation, they should not bring carry-on baggage to the exit. Evidence from evacuations of airplanes since 2013 has shown that significant numbers of passengers attempt to take time to retrieve
Appendix A A-14 carry-on baggage with them when evacuating an aircraft.10 Such passenger behavior could be interpreted as failure to follow crewmember instructions.
Passengers who bring carry-on baggage with them present a significant hindrance to egress, risk injuring other passengers, and potential damage to evacuation slides. Information on the proper method of securing or stowing PEDs should be included in the safety briefing. Passengers should be aware that passenger seat pockets are not appropriate for heavy items such as laptop computers or large tablets.
10 Passengers who fail to follow crewmember instructions and remove carry-on baggage during an emergency evacuation could be subject to a civil penalty (refer to the current edition of FAA Order 2150.3, FAA Compliance and Enforcement Program).
A.5.3.10 B race Position. To prepare for an accident, one action that an occupant can take to contribute to their survival is to assume an appropriate brace-forimpact position. The safety information cards should contain information about protective brace positions to be assumed by passengers, including children, in all seat orientations (i.e., forward-, aft-, oblique-, and side-facing) and all seat spacing for that aircraft. To reduce detrimental interaction between the occupant’s arms and the seat back, the brace position for forwardfacing passenger seats has been modified by placing the hands down by the lower legs instead of on the seat back. This alternate position was successful in significantly reducing head and neck injury risk for all of the seat back types evaluated in a 2015 CAMI research study. The current positions recommended in Appendix D, Brace-for-Impact Positions, have been revised to provide an equivalent level of safety for all passenger seat back types.
A.5.3.11 Individual Flotation Equipment.
A.5.3.11.1 The safety information briefing cards must depict the stowage location of individual flotation equipment and contain instructions concerning removal of the flotation devices from the stowage locations. The pictorial for the individual flotation device must show: extraction from the stowage pouches or packages, manual and oral inflation backup systems, their use in the water, and the manual operation of survivor locator lights and accessories, as appropriate (refer to §§ 121.571(b)(2) and 125.327(b)(6)). The cards should depict the method of fitting adult life preservers on small children.11 If the operator supplies child flotation devices, the donning and method of inflation of these flotation devices should be depicted on the cards.
11 Operators should verify that the safety information card illustrations reflect the manufacturer’s specification for the use of an individual flotation cushion or life preserver (refer to TSO-C72c).
A.5.3.11.2 Wh en a safety briefing contains information about more than one type of flotation cushion or life preserver, it can be confusing. One method for informing passengers is to give each passenger information about the piece of individual flotation equipment that is located at that individual passenger’s seat location. In some cases, this may mean different safety information cards at different seats and individual briefings at certain seats. On each aircraft
Appendix A A-15 where a single briefing card depicts multiple types of individual flotation equipment but only one type of equipment is provisioned, passengers must be specifically informed that their particular aircraft is equipped with only that specific piece of equipment. (Refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(iv), 121.573, and 125.327).12 Life preservers with water-activated lights are required for operators certified for extended overwater operations under § 25.1415.
Operators should not invent or create their own unique method of using a flotation device with an adult holding a lap child or infant. Operators should verify that the safety information briefing card illustrations reflect the design specifications for the individual flotation cushion or life preserver (refer to TSO-C72c).
12 An aircraft not certified for ditching under § 25.801 and not having a life preserver must have an approved flotation means for each occupant. For example, a safety information card that shows an adult holding an infant with a flotation seat cushion does not meet the intent of TSO-C72c.
A.5.3.12 Group Flotation. The safety information card must contain information on the location and operation of group flotation where available. For example, a detachable inflated single lane slide can be used as a flotation platform with handheld straps. The single slide can be inverted to accommodate an injured passenger or small child (refer to §§ 121.340(a), 121.573(a), and 125.209).
A.5.3.13 Oxygen Masks. The safety information briefing cards should contain instructions on the location, donning (over nose and mouth), and means for adjusting oxygen masks; any further actions needed to start the flow of oxygen; and instructions to passengers to don their own oxygen mask before assisting children with their masks. The passenger safety information briefing card should include the location and operation of the lavatory oxygen mask and any action needed (such as removing a cover) to start the flow of oxygen (refer to §§ 121.333(f) and 125.327).
A.5.3.14 PEDs. In its final report, the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) concluded that most commercial airplanes can tolerate radio interference signals from PEDs and recommended that the FAA provide airlines with new procedures to assess if their airplanes can tolerate radio interference from PEDs.13 In 2015, the FAA agreed with the ARC and revised the guidance to allow operators to expand their PED policies. Once an airline verifies the tolerance of its fleet, it can allow passengers to use hand-held, lightweight electronic devices, such as tablets, e-readers, and smartphones in “Airplane Mode,” at all altitudes. In rare instances of low visibility, the crew will instruct passengers to turn off their devices during landing. The group also recommended that heavier devices should be safely stowed under seats or in overhead bins during takeoff and landing. The safety information cards should inform passengers of permissible times, conditions, and limitations when various PEDs may be used. (Refer to guidance in InFOs 13010
13 Refer to https://www.faa.gov/media/32956.
Appendix A A-16 and 13010SUP, FAA Aid to Operators for the Expanded Use of Passenger PEDs.)
A.5.3.15 Supplem ental Information. The safety information briefing cards may contain supplemental instructions. For example, for takeoff and landing, carry-on baggage and tray tables must be properly stowed, galley service items must be collected from passengers and stowed, and seat backs must be placed in their fully upright position (refer to §§ 121.577(b), 121.589(c), and 125.327).
A.5.3.16 Extended Overwater Operations. When liferafts are required to be carried in extended overwater operations, the safety information briefing cards must depict liferaft and slide/raft stowage, launching, and securing locations. When lifelines are used to stabilize passengers during egress from window exits, the safety information briefing cards must depict how to access the lifeline, and how and where to attach the lifeline to the wing. The safety information briefing cards also must contain instructions for passengers concerning preparation for use, inflation methods, and the means for securing liferafts or slide/rafts to the aircraft (refer to §§ 121.571(b), 121.573(a), and 125.327(c)).
As a safety mitigation strategy to address NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081, operators are required to provide information about lifelines, if the aircraft is equipped with them, to ensure that the lifelines can be quickly and effectively retrieved and used. (Refer to § 25.1411(g).)
Appendix B B-1 APPENDIX B. PARTS 121 AND 125 OPERATIONS WITHOUT FLIGHT
ATTENDANTS This appendix discusses passenger safety information briefings and passenger safety information cards for 14 CFR parts 121 and 125 operations where flight attendants (F/A) are not used.
B.1 Crewmember Procedures. Passenger briefings are delivered orally or through video presentations. Each oral briefing provided by a carrier or commercial operator for its passengers must be explained and described in appropriate manuals. The manuals must also contain a description of crewmember tasks and procedures to ensure passenger compliance with information signs and safety instructions. This description should include the stipulation that crewmembers should notify the pilot in command (PIC) anytime a passenger refuses to comply with safety instructions. Crewmembers should neither be assigned nor perform non-safety-related duties during the safety information briefings if those duties could obstruct the view of the passengers or distract them from active listening (refer to part 121, § 121.571 and part 125, §§ 125.73 and 125.327).
B.2 Oral Briefings. The pretakeoff oral briefing must be delivered so that each passenger has the opportunity to hear it and easily see the required demonstration. Crewmembers giving these briefings should speak slowly and distinctly. The pretakeoff oral briefing may be given by audiotape or videotape means. The oral briefing must be given by the pilot in command or a member of the crew. It must be supplemented by printed cards for the use of each passenger crewmembers (refer to §§ 121.571 and 125.327).
B.3 Audio and/or Video Briefings. The pretakeoff safety briefing may be given by prerecorded audiotape, videotape, or electronic media means. This method of safety briefing is a consideration when the aircraft has a single pilot and is equipped with the necessary videotape and sound equipment, or wireless network server. The advantage of prerecorded presentations is the assurance that a complete briefing is given, that the diction is good, and that an overall high quality of the safety information briefing is maintained. Prerecorded presentations also lend themselves very well to a multilingual presentation. In addition, a prerecorded video presentation can include “closed captioning” for the deaf and other visual presentations, which may be more meaningful to passengers. In accordance with part 121, § 121.577(d), operators using prerecorded presentations must have procedures to ensure that screens or video monitors that extend into the aisles during the safety information briefing are properly stowed prior to movement on the surface, takeoff, or landing. Screens located at passenger seats that could impede rapid passenger egress also should be stowed properly prior to movement on the surface, takeoff, or landing. In addition, operators should have alternative safety information briefing procedures to follow if the prerecorded presentation becomes inoperative.
Note: Pretakeoff oral, audio, video, or WiFi safety information briefings should co ntain only information that is essential for safety. For example, paid advertising, schedules, or promotional information is not safety-related and should not be commingled in the safety information briefing script.
Appendix B B-2 B.4 Briefing Types.
B.4.1 Pretakeoff. Bef ore each takeoff, the certificate holder (CH) must ensure that all passengers are orally briefed on each of the following (refer to § 121.571(a) and part 125, § 125.327):
B.4.1.1 Com pliance With Signs and Placards. The safety information briefing must include a statement that the FAA’s regulations require passenger compliance with the lighted passenger information signs (if installed) and posted placards (refer to §§ 121.317, 121.571, and 125.327).
B.4.1.2 Smoking. The passenger safety information briefing cards must also include when, where, and under what conditions smoking is prohibited. This must include that:
1. Smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vape devices, is not permitted on the ground anytime the “No Smoking” sign is illuminated or when “No Smoking” placards are present (refer to §§ 121.317 and 125.327 and 14 CFR part 252, § 252.11);
2. Federal regulations require passenger compliance with the lighted passenger information signs (if required), posted placards, areas designated for safety purposes as no smoking areas, and crewmembers’ instructions (refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(i) and 125.327(a)(1));
3. Smoking, including e-cigarettes and vape devices, is prohibited in the lavatories (if installed) and other designated nonsmoking areas. Tampering with, destroying, or disabling smoke detectors in the lavatories is prohibited by Federal law (refer to §§ 121.317, 121.571(a)(1)(i),
125.327(a)(1), 252.1, and 252.8); and
4. The instructions of crewmembers regarding smoking and prohibitions against smoking, including e-cigarettes and vape devices, must be followed (refer to §§ 121.317, 125.327, and 252.17).
B.4.1.3 Seatbelts (Including Seatbelts, Airbag Seatbelts, and Shoulder Harness Lap Belt Combinations). Crewmembers must brief passengers on the method of fastening, tightening, and unfastening seatbelts; and that seatbelts should be worn low and tight. Passengers must also be informed that their seatbelts must be fastened anytime the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is illuminated (if installed) and must be fastened anytime they are seated. In addition, passengers must be informed that they must obey the instructions of crewmembers regarding the use of seatbelts. (Refer to §§ 121.317(f) and (k) and 125.327(a)(2).)
B.4.1.4 Seat Backs. Crewmembers must brief passengers regarding the need to have their seat backs in an upright position before takeoff and landing (refer to §§ 121.311 and 125.327).
Appendix B B-3 B.4.1.5 Exits. Crewmembers must brief passengers on the location of emergency exits. Crewmembers should also brief passengers as clearly as possible on any additional information about the exits. The passengers seated nearest to a door or exit must be individually briefed on the arming and operation of that door or exit. Some window exits are equipped with a lifeline or rope installed in the window frame. On other aircraft equipped for overwater operation, the lifeline is located in a small overhead stowage bin. This lifeline is primarily designed to stabilize passengers boarding a liferaft from the slippery surface of the aircraft wing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated, in Safety Recommendation A-10-081, that when lifelines are installed on extended overwater aircraft, passengers must be briefed on the location to ensure that the lifelines can be quickly and effectively retrieved and used. This information should be included during the safety briefing or illustrated on the safety information card (refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(ii),
121.573, and 125.327).
B.4.1.6 Survival Equipment. Crewmembers must include in these briefings information about the location of survival equipment (refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(v)(B) and 125.327(a)(5)).
B.4.1.7 Fire Extinguisher. Crewmembers must brief passengers on the location and use of fire extinguishers (refer to § 121.571(a)(1)(v)(D) and 125.327(a)(8)).
B.4.1.8 Individual Flotation Equipment.
B.4.1.8.1 Appropriate crewmembers must brief passengers on the type, location, and use of required flotation equipment. This briefing must include the type of equipment available at the individual passenger’s seat and the method of use in the water, such as putting the arms through the straps and resting the torso on the flotation seat cushion. When the aircraft is equipped with life preservers, the safety information briefing must include instructions about the specific location (e.g., under or between seats or in a side console), removal of life preservers from stowage areas, including pouches, and the donning and inflation of the life preservers (refer to §§ 121.571, 121.573, and 125.327).
The NTSB recommends that the FAA require 14 CFR parts 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, and 135 op erators to brief passengers on all flotation equipment installed on an airplane, including a full demonstration of correct life preserver retrieval and donning procedures, before all flights, regardless of route (refer to NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-083). The FAA concurs with this recommendation and encourages operators to revise their safety information briefing guidance for crewmembers.
B.4.1.8.2 When the safety briefing includes more than one type of flotation cushion or lif e preserver, it can be confusing. The different methods of donning and operating the individual flotation device must be specific to equipment installed on the aircraft, depicted on the safety information briefing card, and provided in the oral briefing, video, or live demonstration (refer to
Appendix B B-4 §§ 121.571(a)(1)(iv), 121.573, and 125.327(a)(6)). One method of delivering the passenger briefing is to describe the type, location, and operation of flotation equipment in each class of service during the oral briefing. For some operators, this may mean specialized safety information cards and individual oral briefings for specific seating configurations. When two sections on the same aircraft are equipped differently, the operator must provide a flotation equipment safety briefing with corresponding pictorial instructions on the safety information briefing card. Operators must emphasize that it is important that passengers study the safety information briefing card carefully and be aware of the number, type, and instructions for the operation of flotation equipment available within reach of their seat.
B.4.1.8.3 Infant life vests and overwater briefings. Section 121.340(a) requires that an airplane be equipped with a life preserver or approved flotation means for each occupant, that the device be within easy reach of each seated occupant and readily removable from the airplane. Section 121.311 permits an adult occupying an approved seat to hold a child less than 2 years of age. This child is commonly referred to as an “in-lap” child.
1. One purpose of § 121.340(a) is to ensure that a flotation means is provided for each occupant. The flotation means may be a life preserver, a seat cushion, or a combination of flotation means. The FAA’s long-standing reading of § 121.340(a) is that all cabin occupants, including in-lap children, must have an individual flotation means available for use. The Office of the Chief Counsel (AGC) found that the rule requires a flotation means for all cabin occupants, including “in-lap” children. As a practical matter, an adult would probably have trouble trying to control a child being buoyed by a typical full-sized life vest or seat cushion in the unlikely event of a landing in water. Survival factors research indicates that an in-lap child would benefit from specially designed flotation equipment that keeps the child’s torso out of the water. Accordingly, the FAA encourages operators to consider providing appropriately designed flotation equipment, either life preservers or other approved equipment, for use by in-lap children.
2. If an operator should elect to provide specially sized flotation equipment for in-lap children, and if that equipment should be located differently from the typical flotation equipment for other occupants, or should operate differently, then additional information regarding that special equipment would be required in the briefing given to passengers. On the other hand, if that special equipment should differ only in respect to size (child size versus adult size) but not location or function (both life vests are stored and donned similarly) then no additional information would be required in the oral briefing.
3. Operators should not invent or create their own unique method of using an individual flotation device with an adult holding a lap child or infant.
Operators should verify that the safety information card illustrations