Emergency equipment for operations over uninhabited terrain areas: Flag, supplemental, and certain domestic operations

This regulation requires specific emergency equipment for Part 121 air carriers conducting flag operations, supplemental operations, or domestic operations in Alaska or Hawaii when flying over uninhabited terrain or other areas designated by the FAA in the operator's specifications.

Required equipment includes:

• Pyrotechnic signaling devices (flares or similar items for visual signaling)
• An approved survival-type emergency locator transmitter (ELT) with properly maintained batteries that must be replaced or recharged after 1 cumulative hour of use or when 50% of their useful life has expired, whichever comes first. The new expiration date must be marked on the transmitter's exterior.
• Survival kits with appropriate equipment for the specific route, sufficient for all occupants aboard

This equipment ensures that if an aircraft goes down in remote areas, passengers and crew have tools to signal rescuers, activate location beacons, and sustain themselves until help arrives. The regulation recognizes that operations over uninhabited terrain present unique survival challenges requiring specialized emergency gear beyond standard equipment.

*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.*