Demonstration of emergency evacuation procedures

This regulation requires Part 121 air carriers to demonstrate their aircraft can be evacuated safely and that crews are properly trained on emergency procedures.

For aircraft with more than 44 seats, carriers must show the plane can evacuate everyone (passengers and crew) within 90 seconds. However, if the aircraft type already passed this test during certification after 1967, no new demonstration is needed.

When introducing a new aircraft type or making changes to emergency exits, flight attendant positions, or evacuation procedures, carriers must conduct a "partial demonstration." This involves randomly-selected, trained flight attendants opening 50% of required exits and deploying 50% of slides within 15 seconds, observed by the FAA but without passengers aboard.

For extended overwater operations, carriers must also demonstrate ditching procedures, showing they can efficiently deploy life rafts and that crews can explain emergency equipment use.

All demonstrations require prior FAA approval before the aircraft enters service.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*