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areas of Canada and Alaska. Alaska State Department of Transportation and Canadian Ministry of Transport
officials can provide specific information on survival gear requirements. The kit should be assembled in one
container and be easily reachable and preferably floatable.
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Jurisdictions Controlling Navigable Bodies of Water
Authority to Consult For Use of a Body of Water
Location
Authority
Contact
Wilderness Area
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service
Local forest ranger
National Forest
USDA Forest Service
Local forest ranger
National Park
U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
Local park ranger
Indian Reservation
USDI, Bureau of Indian Affairs
Local Bureau office
State Park
State government or state forestry or park service
Local state aviation office for
further information
Canadian National and
Provincial Parks
Supervised and restricted on an individual basis from province to
province and by different departments of the Canadian
government; consult Canadian Flight Information Manual and/or
Water Aerodrome Supplement
Park Superintendent in an
emergency
e.
The FAA recommends that each seaplane owner or operator provide flotation gear for occupants any time
a seaplane operates on or near water. 14 CFR Section 91.205(b)(12) requires approved flotation gear for aircraft
operated for hire over water and beyond power-off gliding distance from shore. FAA-approved gear differs from
that required for navigable waterways under USCG rules. FAA-approved life vests are inflatable designs as
compared to the USCG’s noninflatable PFD’s that may consist of solid, bulky material. Such USCG PFDs are
impractical for seaplanes and other aircraft because they may block passage through the relatively narrow exits
available to pilots and passengers. Life vests approved under Technical Standard Order (TSO) TSO
−
C13E
contain fully inflatable compartments. The wearer inflates the compartments (AFTER exiting the aircraft)
primarily by independent CO2 cartridges, with an oral inflation tube as a backup. The flotation gear also contains
a water-activated, self-illuminating signal light. The fact that pilots and passengers can easily don and wear
inflatable life vests (when not inflated) provides maximum effectiveness and allows for unrestricted movement.
It is imperative that passengers are briefed on the location and proper use of available PFDs prior to leaving the
dock.
f.
The FAA recommends that seaplane owners and operators obtain Advisory Circular (AC) 91
−
69, Seaplane
Safety for 14 CFR Part 91 Operations, free from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Subsequent Distribution
121.23, Ardmore East Business Center, 3341 Q 75
th
Avenue, Landover, MD 20785; fax: (301)
386
−
5394. The USCG Navigation Rules International
−
Inland (COMDTINSTM 16672.2B) is available for a fee
from the Government Publishing Office by facsimile request to (202) 512
−
2250, and can be ordered using
Mastercard or Visa.
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10. Flight Operations in Volcanic Ash
a.
Severe volcanic eruptions which send ash and sulphur dioxide (SO
2
) gas into the upper atmosphere occur
somewhere around the world several times each year. Flying into a volcanic ash cloud can be exceedingly
dangerous. A B747
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200 lost all four engines after such an encounter and a B747
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400 had the same nearly
catastrophic experience. Piston
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powered aircraft are less likely to lose power but severe damage is almost certain
to ensue after an encounter with a volcanic ash cloud which is only a few hours old.
b.
Most important is to avoid any encounter with volcanic ash. The ash plume may not be visible, especially
in instrument conditions or at night; and even if visible, it is difficult to distinguish visually between an ash cloud
and an ordinary weather cloud. Volcanic ash clouds are not displayed on airborne or ATC radar. The pilot must
rely on reports from air traffic controllers and other pilots to determine the location of the ash cloud and use that
information to remain well clear of the area. Additionally, the presence of a sulphur-like odor throughout the
Potential Flight Hazards
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