Emergency Equipment

Emergency equipment comprises all devices and items that secure survival and rescue of occupants in emergencies. The mandatory scope varies by aircraft category, operation and route.

Minimum equipment per Part-NCO.IDE.A

Regulation (EU) 965/2012 Part-NCO.IDE.A governs minimum equipment for non-commercial flight operations:

NCO.IDE.A.160 — Fire extinguisher

At least one hand-held fire extinguisher in the cockpit/cabin.
Type: BCF (Halon 1211), CO₂ or powder — non-conductive, suitable for electrical and fuel fires.
Weight class: ≥ 0.68 kg.
Inspection: annual (pressure gauge, seal).

NCO.IDE.A.170 — ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter)

Mandatory for all aircraft able to carry ≥ 6 persons (legacy rule) — today usually mandatory for all powered aircraft.
406 MHz with COSPAS-SARSAT registration, 121.5 MHz auxiliary frequency.
See ELT lesson for details.

NCO.IDE.A.175 — First-aid kit

At least one first-aid kit accessible from the cabin.
Contents: bandages, plasters, scissors, tweezers, antiseptic, standard analgesic, possibly stretch bandages, breathing aid.
Check expiry dates — medicines and sterile bandages age.

Extended equipment — by type of operation

Flight over water (NCO.IDE.A.225)

Life vests for all occupants.
Life vests donned during flight over water; stowed for brief water segments.
If > 50 NM from shore or > 30 min flight time to safe water approach: additionally a life raft with pyrotechnic signalling.

Flight over difficult terrain (NCO.IDE.A.230)

Survival equipment for water gathering, shelter, signalling.
Contents: signal mirror, whistle, waterproof matches, blanket, water, dry food.
Special rules for Arctic, desert and dense-forest regions.

Mountain flying

Oxygen supply (pulse oximeter recommended; O₂ bottle for flights > 10 000 ft cabin altitude for ≥ 30 min).

Special emergency devices

Smoke hood

Protective hood for head and airways in cabin fire.
Recommended on some PA-46 and Cirrus types.

Emergency axe / breaking tool

Mandatory on some commercial aircraft.
Rare for PPL — some modern Cirrus (with CAPS) include a breaking tool for egress after parachute landing.

Pilot survival kit

Self-prepared recommended: headlamp, multitool, matches, emergency food, water filter, first-aid items.

Responsibility

The Pilot in Command (PIC) is responsible per Part-NCO.GEN.105 for ensuring that all prescribed emergency equipment is on board and serviceable. Before flight check:

Fire extinguisher pressure OK.
ELT self-test (brief).
First-aid kit intact and not expired.

On international flights: local requirements may be stricter (e.g. French AIP requires specific survival equipment in mountains).