Appendix 1 instructions regarding the seatbelt sign compliance shall be reported to the PIC as a potential noncompliant, disruptive passenger. (Refer to §§ 121.317(f) and (k) and 121.571(1)(iii).)10
(2) Information Signs. F/As or other appropriate crewmembers must remind passengers that Federal regulations require passengers to be seated anytime the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign is illuminated; this is especially true when passengers are seated without their seatbelts fastened.
Many times, one announcement is not enough; therefore, repeated announcements may be necessary, especially when flying through turbulent air.
c. 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 TTL; 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.
d. 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 air carrier procedures. Passengers should also be reminded about prohibitions against smoking.
4. PASSENGER SAFETY INFORMATION BRIEFING CARDS. Oral briefings must be supplemented with safety information briefing cards, which must be pertinent only to that type, model, and configuration of the aircraft, and consistent with the airline’s procedures. The information on the safety information briefing cards should be consistent with the information contained in the air carrier’s manuals. When the safety-related aspects of aircraft equipment are different, even within the same model of aircraft, the air carrier must 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.
10 However, for example, if the incident involves failure to fasten a seatbelt, there may not be a legal basis for criminal action from the local law enforcement unit.
Appendix 1 They must also show the location and other instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment, including lavatory oxygen masks and life lines. 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:
“Production of briefing card materials would benefit from application of well-known 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. 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 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 air carrier (refer to § 121.571(b)).
b. Extraneous Information. Passenger safety information briefing cards shall contain only information that is essential for safety. For example, advertising, schedules, or promotional sales related information is not safety-related and must not be on the safety information briefing cards.
Appendix 1
c. Content. Safety information briefing cards that provide information to passengers must include:
(1) Passenger Compliance With Safety Information. The instructions on the safety information briefing cards shall advise passengers that they must comply with safety instructions including signs, placards, and instructions from crewmembers. The importance of complying with the “Fasten Seat Belt” sign must be emphasized using pictographs or in text.
(2) Smoking. The passenger safety information briefing cards must inform passengers that smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited in the aircraft lavatory at all times.
(3) Floor Proximity Emergency Lighting. The passenger safety information cards shall inform passengers that emergency egress lights are located on or in the vicinity of the floor of the aircraft.
(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 special exit seating briefing card located at each exit seat. (Certificate holders 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.
(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.
(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 life lines, operation of the stairs, or the placement of the hatch type exit on the seat or outside the aircraft shall 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 shall be explained on the safety information cards. The explanation should show that handles are rotated in the direction of the arrow.
(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 shall be in accordance with manufacturers’ specification and type certification.
Appendix 1
(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 shall 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 shall also be included. The procedure for placement of the window exit plug must be consistent with the procedure in the operator’s manual. NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081, following US Airways Flight 1549 ditching on the Hudson River,11 states that passengers should be aware of life lines 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 life lines. Accordingly, safety information briefing cards must identify life line stowage and instructions to enable the occupants to stay on the wing after ditching.
Life line provisions are described in § 25.1411, which states:
“(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.”
(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 carry-on baggage with them when evacuating an aircraft.12 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) 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-for-impact position. The safety information cards shall 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 forward-facing passenger seats has 11 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:
http://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/AAR1003.pdf.
12 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).
Appendix 1 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 4, Brace-for-Impact Positions, have been revised to provide an equivalent level of safety for all passenger seat back types.
(11) Individual Flotation Equipment.
(a) 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)). The cards should depict the method of fitting adult life preservers on small children.13 If the operator supplies child flotation devices, the donning and method of inflation of these flotation devices should be depicted on the cards.
(b) When 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 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 that their particular aircraft is equipped with only that specific piece of equipment. (Refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(iv) and 121.573).14 Life preservers with water-activated lights are required for operators certified for extended overwater operations under § 25.1415. Air carriers 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) 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) and 121.573(a)).
(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 13 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).
14 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.
Appendix 1 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)).
(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.15 In 2015, the FAA agreed with the ARC and revised the guidance to allow air carriers 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 InFO 13010 and InFO 13010SUP.)
(15) Supplemental 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) and 121.589(c)).
(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 life lines are used to stabilize passengers during egress from window exits, the safety information briefing cards must depict how to access the life line, and how and where to attach the life line 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. As a safety mitigation strategy to address NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-081, operators are required to provide information about life lines, if the aircraft is equipped with them, to ensure that the life lines can be quickly and effectively retrieved and used. (Refer to § 25.1411(g).)
15 Refer to http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/ped/media/ped_arc_final_report.pdf.
Appendix 2 APPENDIX 2. PART 121 OPERATIONS WITHOUT FLIGHT ATTENDANTS This Appendix discusses passenger safety information briefings and passenger safety information cards for 14 CFR part 121 operations where flight attendants (F/A) are not used.
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 should 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.
2. ORAL BRIEFINGS. The pretakeoff oral briefing must be delivered so that each passenger can clearly hear it. Crewmembers giving these briefings should speak slowly and distinctly. The pretakeoff oral briefing may be given by audiotape or videotape means.
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.1 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.
a. Pretakeoff. Before each takeoff, the operator must ensure that all passengers are orally briefed on each of the following (refer to § 121.571(a)):
(1) Compliance 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).
1 A safety briefing accessed with a WiFi-enabled computer, tablet, or hand-held device must comply with § 121.577(d) and included in free content.
Appendix 2
(2) Smoking. The passenger safety information briefing cards must inform passengers that smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited in the aircraft lavatory at all times. This must include that:
(a) Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is not permitted on the ground, anytime the “No Smoking” sign is illuminated or, when “No Smoking” placards are present (refer to 14 CFR part 252, § 252.11);
(b) 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));
(c) Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is prohibited in the lavatories (if installed) and other designated nonsmoking areas and that tampering with, destroying, or disabling smoke detectors in the lavatories is prohibited by Federal law (refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(i) and 252.1); and
(d) The instructions of crewmembers regarding smoking and prohibitions against smoking, including e-cigarettes, must be followed.
(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).)
(4) Seat Backs. Crewmembers must brief passengers regarding the need to have their seat backs in an upright position before takeoff and landing.
(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 life line or rope installed in the window frame. On other aircraft equipped for overwater operation, the life line is located in a small overhead stowage bin. This life line 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 life lines are installed on extended overwater aircraft, passengers must be briefed on the location to ensure that the life lines 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) and 121.573).
(6) Survival Equipment. Crewmembers must include in these briefings information about the location of survival equipment.
Appendix 2
(7) Fire Extinguisher. Crewmembers must brief passengers on the location and use of fire extinguishers. (Refer to § 121.571(a)(1)(v)(D).)
(8) Individual Flotation Equipment.
(a) 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. The NTSB recommends that the FAA require 14 CFR parts 91 subpart K (part 91K), 121, and 135 operators 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 (NTSB Safety Recommendation A-10-083). FAA concurs with this recommendation and encourages air carriers to revise their safety information briefing guidance for crewmembers.
(b) 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 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 §§ 121.571(a)(1)(iv) and 121.573). 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 shall provide a flotation equipment safety briefing with corresponding pictorial instructions on the safety information briefing card. Operators shall 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.
(c) 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. That reading was affirmed in 1996, when the FAA issued a legal interpretation regarding § 121.340(a). The Office of General 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 Page 3
Appendix 2 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 reflect the design specifications for the individual flotation cushion or life preserver (Refer to the manufacturer’s specifications and Technical Standard Order (TSO)-C72c, Individual Flotation Devices).
(9) Group Flotation. The safety information briefing card must contain information on the location and operation of liferafts and/or slide rafts with survival equipment. Safety information briefing cards shall not commingle extended overwater and non-extended-overwater equipment on the same card (refer to § 121.571(b)).
(10) Exit Seating.
(a) In its response to the NTSB Recommendation A-00-077 on exit seating, the FAA encouraged air carriers to require crewmembers to provide a preflight personal briefing to each passenger seated in an exit seat. The requirement is part of the air carrier’s approved Exit Seating Program and applies 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 safety information briefing card.
(b) Existing regulations (§ 121.585) 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.
(c) 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 air carrier amend its approved Exit Seating Program by including the preflight personal briefing as an integral element.
Appendix 2
(11) Passengers Needing Assistance. Crewmembers must individually brief a passenger who may need assistance in moving expeditiously to an exit. If the passenger is accompanied by an attendant, the attendant must also be briefed. The safety briefing must include information about the most appropriate route to an exit and the most appropriate time to start moving toward that exit. There must also be an inquiry about the most appropriate manner of assisting the person to prevent pain and further injury. (Refer to § 121.571(a)(3).) Although not required by regulation and depending on the passenger’s needs, a prelanding briefing may be appropriate.
(12) Floor Proximity Emergency Lighting. Crewmembers should inform passengers that emergency lights are located on or near the floor of the aircraft to guide them to an emergency exit (when floor proximity emergency lighting is installed) (NTSB Recommendation A-83-080).
Crewmembers should relay any specific visual features that designate the location of the emergency exit location.
(13) Portable Electronic Devices (PED). Except as provided in part 91, § 91.21, no part 119 certificate holder or PIC may operate or allow the operation of PEDs on any U.S.-registered aircraft operated by the certificate holder. Passengers’ safety education should include air carrier policy regarding the use of PEDs, with permissible times, conditions, and limitations when various PEDs may be used. Information for Operators (InFO) 13010 provides operator guidance for expanding PED use.
(14) Oxygen Equipment.
(a) Passengers shall also be given instructions regarding the automatic appearance of the oxygen mask in all sections of the cabin, including lavatories. In addition, passengers shall be instructed to don their own oxygen masks before assisting a child with a mask. The announcement must include information that oxygen mask reservoir bags may not inflate, although sufficient oxygen is flowing into the bag (refer to § 121.333(f)).
(b) If a passenger requires air carrier- 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 (refer to the current edition of Advisory Circular (AC) 120-95, Portable Oxygen Concentrators).
(15) Supplemental Information. Passengers shall be briefed regarding passenger safety information briefing cards and additional safety actions. Critical information includes the following:
(a) The location of the safety information briefing cards and the fact that they contain additional safety information which the passengers should read.
(b) The oral safety briefing should also contain instructions regarding passenger compliance with the following pretakeoff requirements: proper stowage of each passenger’s carry-on baggage; securing each passenger’s food and beverage tray in its stowed position; and securing any food, beverage, or tableware (refer to §§ 121.589(c) and 121.577(b)).
Appendix 2
(c) 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).
(16) Extended Overwater Operations. If the flight involves extended overwater operations, crewmembers must brief passengers before the overwater portion of the flight begins.
This briefing must be given before takeoff if the flight proceeds directly overwater. It should include:
(a) Exits. Crewmembers should instruct passengers on the most appropriate exits for their use.
(b) Life Preservers.
1. The assigned crewmember shall point out the stowage locations of life preservers and demonstrate their removal from stowage locations (e.g., under seats, between seats, or in a side console), extraction from pouches, donning, and their use including manual and oral inflation methods, instructions on when the equipment should be inflated, and manual operation of survivor locator lights and accessories. If there are significant differences in the donning or operation of life preservers at various seats, passengers should be briefed on the specific characteristics of the life preserver located at the individual passenger’s seat. It is recommended that a crewmember individually brief the parent or guardian accompanying a child on the use of life preservers as it applies to a child (refer to § 121.339(a)(1)).
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 should be depicted on the safety information card and given in the oral safety briefing or demonstration (refer to §§ 121.571(a)(1)(iv) and 121.573).2
3. Infant life vests and overwater briefings. See subparagraph 3a(8)c for information regarding flotation means for in-lap children.
2 An aircraft not certified for ditching under 14 CFR part 25, § 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.