26.431 Determination of the robustness of emergency flotation system designs

(a)An operator of a small helicopter or a large helicopter that is required, in accordance with point CAT.IDE.H.320(a) of Annex IV to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012, to be designed for landing on water or certified for ditching, may request the person referred to in point (b) to provide the services referred to in point (c), where both the following conditions are met:

(1)the operator is required to demonstrate compliance with point 26.430 of this Annex;

(2)the robustness of the emergency flotation system in the event of water impact has not been demonstrated as part of the type certificate or supplemental type certificate of that helicopter.

(b)The person who shall provide the services referred to in point (c) are:

(1)the type certificate holder, if the emergency flotation system is included within the type design;

(2)the supplemental type certificate holder, if the emergency flotation system is certified through a supplemental type certificate.

(c)The person referred to in point (b) shall:

(1)determine that the effects on the successful deployment and retention of the emergency flotation system as a result of possible damage from a water impact are minimised, as far as practicable;

(2)determine that the effects referred to in point (c)(1) are taken into consideration in the design of the emergency flotation system;

(3)provide an assessment to the operator.