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26.435 Automatic deployment of an emergency flotation system

ADDITIONAL AIRWORTHINESS SPECIFICATIONS FOR OPERATIONS · Regulation (EU) 2015/640 · EAR revision 20 Mar 2026

IRImplementing rule

26.435Automatic deployment of an emergency flotation system

(a)Operators of small helicopters that are 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, shall ensure that if an emergency flotation system is installed and is stowed during flight, then it shall automatically deploy as a result of entry into water.

(b)Operators of small category A helicopters and large helicopters that are 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, shall ensure that if an emergency flotation system is installed and is stowed during flight, then it shall automatically deploy as a result of entry into water and shall not rely on any pilot action during flight.

IR · 26.435 — Regulation (EU) 2015/640 · Regulation (EU) 2022/1254 · Part-26 Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 20 Mar 2026

GMGuidance material

GM1 26.435(b)Automatic deployment of an emergency flotation system

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The disarming of an emergency flotation system is typically required at high airspeeds, and could be achieved automatically using an airspeed switch. However, this would retain the possibility of inadvertent flight into the water at high airspeed, with the risk that the floats would not deploy. This scenario could be addressed by providing an additional or alternative means of rearming the floats as the helicopter descends through an appropriate height threshold. A height below that of the majority of offshore helidecks could be chosen in order to minimise exposure to inadvertent activation above the demonstrated float deployment airspeed.

[Issue: 26/4]

GM · GM1 26.435(b) — Regulation (EU) 2015/640 · ED Decision 2022/019/R · Part-26 Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 20 Mar 2026

All rules in SUBPART C — HELICOPTERS

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 20 Mar 2026, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

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