Emergency equipment: Overwater rotorcraft operations

This regulation sets equipment requirements for Part 135 rotorcraft operations over water. The key trigger is "autorotational distance from shoreline"—the distance a helicopter could glide without engine power to reach land suitable for landing.

When operating beyond this distance (unless authorized in OpSpecs or just for takeoff/landing), you must carry:

• Life preservers with survivor locator lights for each occupant, which must be worn while over water (exception: air ambulance patients when medically inadvisable)
• 406 MHz ELT with 121.5 MHz homing capability, meeting specific TSO standards

The ELT batteries require maintenance: non-rechargeable batteries must be replaced after 1 cumulative hour of use or at 50% of useful life (whichever comes first), with the new expiration date marked on the transmitter. Rechargeable batteries have similar recharge requirements. Water-activated batteries are exempt from these timing rules.

This ensures occupants have flotation and rescue equipment if a water ditching occurs beyond gliding distance to shore.

*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.*