..FAQ

Table 2 -Type of Life Raft Required by FAA by Aircraft Type and Category

Aircraft Type

Certified under FAA FAR

Aircraft Category

Characteristics

Type of Life Raft Required {a}

Airplane

(Fixed Wing Aircraft)

Part 23

Normal, Utility, and Acrobatic Category

·   Maximum takeoff weight of 12,500 lbs.

·   Maximum passenger seating capacity of 9 persons.

 
FAA TSO-C70a, Type II 
Single Tube Life Raft   
Or   
Type I Twin 
Tube Life Raft

Commuter Category

·   Maximum takeoff weight of  19,00 lbs

·   Maximum passenger seating capacity of 19 persons.

·  Multiple engines

·  Propeller driven

Part 25

Transport Category

·  All jets with 10 or more seats or greater than 12,500 lbs. maximum takeoff weight.

·  All propeller driven airplanes with greater than 19 seats or greater than 19,000 lbs. maximum takeoff weight.
FAA TSO-C70a, Type I,
Twin Tube Life Raft {b}

Helicopters

(Rotorcraft)

Part 27

Normal Category

·  Maximum weight of 7000 lbs.

·  Maximum passenger seating capacity of 9 persons.

 
FAA TSO-C70a, Type II 
Single Tube Life Raft
Or
Type I Twin Tube Life Raft

Part 29

Transport Category

· Weight above 7000 lbs.

· Passenger seating capacity of 10 or more persons.

 
FAA TSO-C70a, Type I
Twin Tube Life Raft {b}

 

Notes for Table 2:

{a} TSO-C70a defines Type I life rafts “for use in any category aircraft” and Type II life rafts “for use in non-transport category aircraft.”

{b} If the aircraft is certificated for ditching per FAR 25.801 or FAR 29.801, then per FAR 25.1415 or FAR 29.1415, in the event of the loss of the largest life raft, the total overload capacity of all the remaining life rafts must be sufficient to accommodate all the occupants of the aircraft. A minimum of two {2} life rafts are required per aircraft.

 

CAUTION: The table above is intended to be used for reference only as a guide to refer operators to the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) affecting the that operator’s type of operation. The table is not intended to be used in lieu of or as a supplement to the FARs. The operator should always confirm the contents of these tables with the FARs and seek the advice and guidance of his local FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) when determination of his required level of compliance needs to be made.

Eastern Aero Marine is not responsible for any violations or fines against the operator resulting from information contained in this table, be it correct, incorrect, or incomplete.