Appendix C C-3 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 oral safety briefing or illustrated on the safety information card (refer to § 135.117(e)).
C.2.1.6 Surviv al Equipment. The PIC or a crewmember must include in these briefings information about the location of survival equipment (refer to § 135.117(a)(5)).
C.2.1.7 Fire Extinguisher. The PIC or a crewmember must brief passengers on the location and use of fire extinguishers (refer to § 135.117(a)(8)).
C.2.1.8 Exit Seating.
C.2.1.8.1 In its response to NTSB Safety Recommendation A-00-077 on exit seating, the FAA strongly encourages operators to require crewmembers to provide a preflight personal briefing to each passenger seated in an exit seat. That requirement would be part of the operator’s approved Exit Seating Program and would apply to each passenger seated in an exit seat. The preflight personal briefing should:
1. Clearly explain what each such passenger should do in the event the exit might be needed.
2. Refer each such passenger to the information included on the passenger information card.
C.2.1.8.2 Existing regulations require that passenger briefings include a request for passengers seated in exit seats to identify themselves if they feel they cannot or do not wish to perform the exit seat functions included on the passenger information card (refer to § 135.129).
C.2.1.8.3 An entity undergoing certification should include a requirement for crewmembers to perform preflight personal briefings in its approved Exit Seating Program. The FAA strongly recommends that each existing operator amend its approved Exit Seating Program by including the preflight personal briefing as an integral element (refer to § 135.129, as applicable).
C.2.1.9 Passengers Needing Assistance. The PIC or a crewmember must individually brief a passenger who may need assistance in moving expeditiously to an exit if an emergency occurs as to the procedures to be followed if an evacuation occurs. If the person is accompanied by an attendant, the attendant must also be briefed. The briefing must include information about the most appropriate route to an exit and the most appropriate time to start moving toward that exit.
Appendix C C-4 There should also be an inquiry about the most appropriate manner of assisting the person to prevent pain and further injury. (Refer to § 135.117(b).)
C.2.1.10 Floor Proximity Emergency Lighting. If an aircraft is equipped with floor proximity emergency lighting, the PIC should inform passengers that emergency lights are located on or near the floor of the aircraft.
C.2.1.11 Portable Electronic Devices (PED). No 14 CFR part 119 certificate holder (CH) or PIC may operate or allow the operation of PEDs on any U.S.- registered aircraft operated by the CH, except as provided in part 91, § 91.21 and § 135.144. Passengers should be informed of permissible times, conditions, and limitations when various PEDs may be used. Information for Operators (InFO) 13010, Expanding Use of Passenger Portable Electronic Devices (PED), provides operators with a method for expanding the allowances of PED use.
C.2.1.12 Oxyge n Equipment Including Passengers Using Oxygen Therapy.
C.2.1.12.1 If the flight involves operations above 12,000 mean sea level (MSL), the PIC or a crewmember must brief passengers on the normal and emergency use of oxygen. These instructions should include locating, donning, and adjusting the equipment; any action which might be necessary to start the flow of oxygen;
and the prohibition against smoking during oxygen use. Passengers must also be given instructions regarding the automatic appearance of the oxygen mask in all sections of the cabin including lavatories. During the safety briefing, the passengers must be instructed to don their own oxygen masks before assisting children with their masks. The announcement must include information that oxygen mask reservoir bags may not inflate, although sufficient oxygen is flowing into the bag. On flights where smoking is permitted, passengers must be told to extinguish all cigarettes and vape devices when oxygen is in use (refer to § 135.157).
C.2.1.12.2 If a passenger requires operator- or passenger-supplied therapeutic oxygen, the briefing should include what to do in case of cabin decompression. The operational altitude for portable oxygen concentrators (POC) is up to 10,000 feet (3,048 m) (523 mmHg). Higher altitudes may affect oxygen canister performance; therefore, passengers using therapeutic oxygen should discontinue use of the POC and use the oxygen mask from the passenger service unit. The PIC will announce when it is safe to discontinue use of the decompression oxygen.
C.2.1.13 Suppl emental Information. Passengers should be briefed regarding passenger safety information briefing cards and additional safety actions.
Critical information includes the following:
• The location of the safety information briefing cards and the fact that they contain additional safety information, which the passengers should read.
Appendix C C-5
• The briefing should also contain instructions regarding passenger compliance with the following pretakeoff requirements: proper stowage of each passenger’s carry-on baggage, including large PEDs; securing each passenger’s food and beverage tray in its stowed position; and stowing any food, beverage, or tableware (refer to §§ 135.117 and 135.122) .
C.2.1.13.1 Passengers should be instructed to leave carry-on baggage behind during an emergency evacuation. Carry-on baggage during an emergency egress can put other passengers at risk by delaying evacuation, injuring passengers, obstructing the exit, or potentially damaging the evacuation slide (when installed).
C.2.1.14 E xtended Overwater Operations. If the flight involves extended overwater operations, the PIC or a crewmember must brief passengers on ditching procedures and the use of required flotation equipment (refer to § 135.117).
The PIC or the crewmember must brief passengers before takeoff. It must include:
C.2.1.14.1 Exits. The PIC or a crewmember must instruct passengers on the most appropriate exits for their use. Passengers should be aware of installed lifelines or ropes designed to assist passengers while on the aircraft wing surface (refer to § 135.117).
C.2.1.14.2 Flotation E quipment.
1. The PIC or a crewmember must ensure that passengers are briefed 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 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. If the aircraft is equipped with both flotation cushions and life preservers, crewmembers must brief passengers on both types of equipment (refer to § 135.117).
2. When the safety briefing includes more than one type of flotation cushion or life preserver, it can be confusing. The different methods of donning and/or operating the individual flotation device must be specific to the equipment on the aircraft, depicted on the safety information briefing card, and provided in the oral briefing, video, or live demonstration (refer to § 135.117(a)(6) and (e)(3)).
C.2.1.14.3 Individua l Flotation Equipment for In-Lap Child (Under the Age of 2).
Section 135.128 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. The FAA’s long-standing reading of § 121.340(a) is that all cabin
Appendix C C-6 occupants, including in-lap children, must have an individual flotation means available for use. Although this legal interpretation was not directly applied to part 135 operators, appropriately sized flotation equipment is recommended to mitigate the safety risk. When infant flotation equipment is provided, the briefing for a parent or caregiver traveling with an “in-lap” child is more effective when it is part of a special personalized briefing rather than using the public address (PA) system. Operators should not invent or create their own unique method of using a flotation device for an adult holding a lap child or infant. Operators must verify that the safety information card illustrations reflect the design specifications for the individual flotation cushion or life preserver (refer to Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C72c, Individual Flotation Devices).
C.2.1.14.4 Lifera fts and Slide/Rafts. Flight attendants (F/A) or other appropriate crewmembers must instruct passengers on liferaft and slide/raft retrieval from stowage and their presentation for use. Operators must avoid confusion by not combining overwater and non-overwater equipment on the same safety information briefing card (refer to § 135.117).
C.2.1.14.5 Information on Cards. Th e PIC or crewmember should emphasize that review of the passenger information cards is important (refer to § 135.117).
C.2.1.15 Deterri ng 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 § 135.120 may be used in developing the recommended briefings.
1. Section 46318, 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 46504, 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.”
Appendix C C-7 C.2.2 Post-T akeoff. Immediately before or after the lighted “Fasten Seat Belt” sign (if installed) is turned off, an announcement should be made that passengers should keep their seatbelts fastened while seated even if the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is turned off. The possibility of encountering unexpected turbulence should also be emphasized to passengers.
C.2.3 Prelanding. The minimum prelanding briefing information should include the following:
• Seatbelts must be securely fastened.
• PEDs, such as laptop computers and DVD players, should be powered down and stowed. Some carriers permit small items, such as hand-held PEDs, to be secured (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 the taxi, takeoff, and landing (TTL) position; and seats with adjustable footrest must be retracted.
• Food, beverages, or tableware must be picked up.
• Carry-on baggage and movie/video screens must be properly stowed for landing.
C.2.4 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.
C.3 Passenger Safety Information Briefing Cards. Oral b riefings must be supplemented with safety information briefing cards, which must be appropriate for the type and model of aircraft on which they are to be used and consistent with the operator’s procedures (refer to § 135.117). The information on the safety information briefing cards should be consistent with the information contained in the operator’s manuals. When aircraft equipment is substantially different even with the same model of aircraft, the operator should provide safety information briefing cards specific to that aircraft. Merely labeling the depiction of the differences with the type and model of aircraft is not sufficient.
Safety information cards must also show the method of operating the emergency exits in an emergency and other instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment.
C.3.1 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
Appendix C C-8 located so 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 § 135.117(e)).
C.3.2 Extraneous Information. Passenger safety information briefing cards should only contain 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 § 135.117(e)).
C.3.3 Content. Safety information briefing cards that provide information to passengers must include:
C.3.3.1 Pass enger Compliance With Safety Information. The instructions on the safety information cards must advise passengers that they must comply with safety instructions including signs, placards, and instructions of crewmembers. The importance of complying with the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign should be emphasized (refer to § 135.117).
C.3.3.2 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 §§ 91.517 and 135.127).
C.3.3.3 Seatbelts (Including Seatbelts, Airbag Seat Belts, and Shoulder Harness Lap Belt Combinations). The cards should have instructions for fastening, tightening, and opening seatbelts (refer to §§ 91.517 and 135.128).
C.3.3.4 Seat Backs. The safety information cards must instruct passengers to place the seat backs in the upright position for takeoff and landing. Instructions for the TTL position setting must be provided for lie-flat, sleeper seats, and seating with footrests (refer to § 135.117(a)(3)).
Appendix C C-9 C.3.3.5 Floor Proximity Emergency Lighting. If the aircraft is equipped with floor proximity emergency lighting, then the safety information briefing cards should inform passengers that emergency lights are located on or in the vicinity of the floor of the aircraft.
C.3.3.6 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 briefing must call attention to the existence of exit seating briefing cards located at exit seats (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 to be provided for the use of all passengers). Exit seat information on safety cards must meet the requirements of §§ 135.117(e) and 135.129(d) and (e). The exit seating briefing cards are part of the approved Exit Seating Program described or referenced in Operations Specification (OpSpec) A022, Approved Exit Seat Program.
C.3.3.7 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 § 135.117).
C.3.3.8 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 also be included. The procedures for the placement of the hatch 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 indicate that confusion is sometimes created by a diagram or pictograph of an exit operation on only 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 information briefing cards. The explanation should show that handles are rotated in the direction of the arrow (refer to § 135.117).
C.3.3.9 Evacuation Slide/Assist Means. The safety information cards must contain instructions for passengers to use the evacuation 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 § 135.117).
C.3.3.10 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
Appendix C C-10 passengers to walk or run on any ramp that leads from an exit, and the direction and route of escape after leaving all overwing exits should be included. The procedure for placement of the window exit plug must be consistent with the procedure in the operator’s manual (refer to § 135.117).
NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081, following US Airways Flight 1549 ditching on the Hudson River, 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 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.
C.3.3.11 Carry-O n Baggage. The safety information briefing cards should inform passengers not to bring carry-on baggage to the exit in the event of an emergency. Evidence from evacuations of airplanes since 2013 has shown that significant numbers of passengers attempt to take time to retrieve carry-on baggage with them when evacuating an aircraft. Such passenger behavior can present a significant hindrance to egress, injury to other passengers, and damage to evacuation slides.
C.3.3.12 Brace 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 Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (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.
C.3.3.13 Loc ation of Survival Equipment. The safety information briefing cards must provide information about the location of survival equipment. This is best done by using diagrams (refer to § 135.117).
C.3.3.14 Location and Use of Fire Extinguishers. The safety information briefing cards must depict the location of fire extinguishers. In addition, they must provide information regarding the use of fire extinguishers (refer to § 135.117).
Appendix C C-11 C.3.3.15 Individual Flotation Devices.
C.3.3.15.1 The safety information briefing cards must depict their stowage location and contain instructions concerning removal of the devices from the stowage locations, extraction from the stowage pouches or packages, manual and oral inflation backup systems, its use in the water, and the manual operation of survivor locator lights and accessories, as appropriate. The safety information briefing cards should depict the method of fitting adult life preservers on small children. If the operator supplies child flotation devices, the donning and method of inflation of these devices should be depicted on the cards (refer to § 135.117).
C.3.3.15.2 When a passenger is informed 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. In some cases, this may mean different safety information cards at different seats and individual briefings at certain seats. When two sections on the same aircraft are equipped differently, each section would need a different passenger safety briefing. Another method for informing passengers is to advise them during the oral safety briefing that there are different types of flotation devices on the airplane, therefore, it is important that they study the safety information card carefully and be aware of the differences in the flotation equipment. The different methods of donning and/or operating the individual flotation device must be depicted on the safety information card and given in the oral safety briefing or demonstration (refer to § 135.117). Operators should not invent or create their own unique method of using a flotation device with an adult and holding a lap child or infant. Operators should verify that the safety information card illustrations reflect the design specifications for the individual flotation cushion or life preserver (refer to TSO-C72c).
C.3.3.16 Oxygen Mask. The safety information briefing cards must contain the following instructions (refer to § 135.117):
• The location of oxygen masks (including lavatories where applicable);
• The donning of oxygen masks, including removing the protective cover or extending the pull tab to extend the mask tubing (where installed); and
• The method of adjusting an oxygen mask to the face.
Note: The safety briefing card should illustrate any design features that indicate the flow of oxygen and instructions to passengers to don their own oxygen masks before assisting children or a passenger who may need assistance with their mask.
C.3.3.17 PEDs. The safety information briefing cards should inform passengers of permissible times, conditions, and limitations when various PEDs may be
Appendix C C-12 used (refer to the report from the PED Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) to the FAA, Recommendations on Expanding the Use of Portable Electronic Devices During Flight).
C.3.3.18 Supplemental Information. Passengers must be briefed regarding passenger safety information briefing cards and additional safety actions (refer to § 135.117). Critical information includes the following:
• The location of the safety information briefing cards and the fact that they contain additional safety information, which the passengers should read.
• The briefing should also contain instructions regarding passenger compliance with the following pretakeoff requirements: proper stowage of each passenger’s carry-on baggage, including large PEDs; securing each passenger’s food and beverage tray in its stowed position; and stowing any food, beverage, or tableware.
• Passengers must be instructed to leave carry-on baggage behind during an emergency evacuation. Carry-on baggage during an emergency egress can put other passengers at risk by delaying passenger egress, injuring passengers, obstructing the exit, or potentially damaging the evacuation slide (when installed).
C.4 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. The safety information briefing cards also must contain instructions for passengers concerning preparation for use, inflation methods, and the means for securing rafts to the aircraft. Safety information briefing cards must not commingle extended overwater and non-extended-overwater equipment on the same card (refer to § 135.117(a)(6) and (e)(1)).
Appendix D D-1 APPENDIX D. BRACE-FOR-IMPACT POSITIONS D.1 Introduction. A brace position is designed to minimize injury to occupants in the cabin by positioning the head and extremities in a protective position. A protective position or brace position increases survivability by reducing the severity of injury during severe turbulence, rapid deceleration, or a sudden impact. Research indicates that passengers who assume a brace position prior to impact significantly reduce the likelihood and severity of injury to the head, arms, and legs. Cabin occupants that are uninjured are more likely to expeditiously evacuate the aircraft, thereby increasing survivability. An optimum brace position would be dependent on so many factors that it is impossible to describe a single position that would be best for every occupant in every case. Instead, the positions described in this advisory circular (AC) are based on general crash safety principles applicable to most occupants.
D.2 Reasons For Bracing for Impact.
D.2.1 There are two primary reasons for bracing for impact. One is to reduce flailing16 and the other is to reduce secondary impact. Flailing can be reduced by having the occupants of forward-facing seats bend forward over their legs in some manner. Secondary impact can be reduced by prepositioning the body (particularly the head) against the surface it would strike during impact.
16 Flailing is defined as limbs that wave or swing or cause to wave or swing wildly.
D.2.2 Toda y’s aircraft may have seating arrangements that result in very small seat pitches (the space between seats) known as high-density seating or a combination of small and large seat pitch spacing (i.e., an aircraft with a first-class/coach seating arrangement), where large seat pitch spacing is known as low-density seating.
D.3 Passenger Positions. In all brace-for-impact positions, passengers should wear their seatbelts as tightly and as low on the torso as possible.
D.3.1 Forward-Facin g Passenger Seat With Lap Belt.
D.3.1.1 If there is sufficient room, passengers should bend over forward as far as possible with their heads face down, place their feet back as far as possible, and wrap their arms under their legs behind their knees, as shown in Figure D-1.
Figure D-1. Forward-Facing Seat With Lap Belt
Appendix D D-2 D.3.1.2 If there is not enough room to bend over completely, then passengers should place their head against the surfaces in front of them, their feet as far back as possible, and grasp their lower legs, as shown in Figure D-2.
Figure D-2. Forward-Facing Seat (High-Density Seating) D.3.2 Fo rward-Facin g Passenger Seats With a Shoulder Belt. Several operators have installed oblique seats (over an 18-degree angle and up to a 28-degree angle from the aircraft centerline) in their premium class cabins. Passengers should sit upright, place their chins on their sternums, their hands in their laps, and their feet flat on the floor with their knees bent at about 90 degrees, as shown in Figure D-3.
Figure D-3. Forward-Facing Jump Seat Note: F igure D-3 is applicable to forward-, side-, or oblique-facing passenger seats with shoulder harness.
D.3.3 Aft-Facing Passenger Seat With a Lap Belt or Shoulder Belt. Passengers should sit upright, place their heads against the headrests, their hands in their laps, and their feet flat on the floor with their knees bent at about 90 degrees, as shown in Figure D-4.
Figure D-4. Aft-Facing Jump Seat