MOC VTOL.2310(b) Emergency Flotation

(a)     If certification for emergency flotation is requested by the applicant, the aircraft should meet the following design criteria:

(1)     For aircraft fitted with an emergency flotation system (floats):

(i)      The flotation units of the emergency flotation system and their attachments to the aircraft should comply with the structural provisions for ditching, emergency flotation and overwater operations of MOC VTOL.2270(c)

(ii)     The aircraft should be shown to resist capsize, in the intended floating attitude, in the sea conditions selected by the applicant. The probability of capsizing in a 5-minute exposure to the sea conditions should be demonstrated to be less than or equal to 10.0 % with a fully serviceable emergency flotation system, with 95 % confidence. No demonstration of capsize resistance is required for the case of the critical float compartment having failed. Allowances should be made for probable structural damage and leakage.

(iii)     For Category Enhanced, it should be shown that the aircraft will not sink following the functional loss of any single complete flotation unit for 15 minutes⁽¹⁾.

(iv)     For Category Basic, it should be shown that the aircraft will not sink for 15 minutes⁽¹⁾ with a fully functional emergency flotation system.

(v)      An emergency flotation system that is stowed in a deflated condition during normal flight should have a means of automatic deployment following water entry. Automatic deployment should not rely on any manual action during flight.

(2)     For aircraft with watertight compartments, hull buoyancy and/or integrated buoyancy:

(i)      The buoyancy components of the aircraft and their attachments to the aircraft should comply with the structural provisions for ditching, emergency flotation and overwater operations of MOC VTOL.2270(c).

(ii)     The aircraft should be shown to resist capsize, in the intended floating attitude, in the sea conditions selected by the applicant. The probability of capsizing in a 5-minute exposure to the sea conditions should be demonstrated to be less than or equal to 10.0 % with fully functional buoyancy components, with 95 % confidence. No demonstration of capsize resistance is required for the case of the functional loss of the critical buoyancy component. Allowances should be made for probable structural damage and leakage.

(iii)     For Category Enhanced, it should be shown that the aircraft will not sink following the functional loss of any single buoyancy component for 15 minutes⁽¹⁾.

(iv)     For Category Basic, it should be shown that the aircraft will not sink for 15 minutes⁽¹⁾ with fully functional buoyancy components.

Note ⁽¹⁾: 15 minutes is consistent with MOC VTOL.2430(a)(6) “Energy retention capability in an emergency landing”.

(b)     CS 27 Amdt. 5 (or later): AMC 27.802 and ‘AMC to CS 27.801(e) and CS 27.802(c)’ provide additional guidance.

(c)      If certification with emergency flotation provisions is requested by the applicant, the flight manual should contain the substantiated sea conditions and any associated information relating to the certification obtained with emergency flotation provisions.

(d)     The following MOCs are also applicable:

(1)     MOC VTOL.2315(a) Means of egress and emergency exits

(2)     MOC VTOL.2430(a)(6) Energy retention capability in an emergency landing

(3)     MOC VTOL.2535 Safety Equipment

(4)     MOC VTOL.2605(c) Information related to safety equipment

(5)     MOC VTOL.2610 Instrument markings, control markings and placard