CS 26.415 Underwater emergency exits

(a)Compliance with point 26.415(a)(1) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 27.805(c) and CS 27.807(d)(5) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, or CS 29.811(h)(2) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent respectively. Each operational device (pull tab(s), operating handle, ‘push here’ decal, etc.) of underwater emergency exits provided for flight crew or passengers must be marked with black and yellow stripes. Any other operating feature, e.g. highlighted ‘push here’ decal(s) for openable windows, must also incorporate black-and-yellow-striped markings. In order to provide a conspicuous means of identifying the operating device or feature, at least two bands of each colour of approximately equal widths are used.

(b)

(1)Compliance with points 26.415(a)(2) and (3) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 27.807(d)(1) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, or CS 29.807(d)(1) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent respectively.

(2)If the dimensions of the underwater emergency exits are smaller than those stipulated in CS 27.807(d)(1) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent ,or CS 29.807(d)(1) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later as appropriate, then the applicant must ensure that the exit can facilitate the rapid escape from the helicopter by passengers (of the maximum shoulder size that are permitted to be seated in that location) in the event of a ditching or capsize. This can be demonstrated through test or analysis.

NOTE: The following dimensions and passenger size restrictions may be defined without the need for demonstration:

(i)For the egress of passengers with shoulder width of 559 mm (22 inches) or smaller:

(A)a rectangular opening no smaller than 356 mm (14 inches) wide, with a diagonal between corner radii no smaller than 559 mm (22 in);

(B)a non-rectangular or partially obstructed opening (e.g. by a seat back) that is capable of admitting an ellipse of 559 mm x 356 mm (22 inches x 14 inches).

(ii)For the egress of passengers with shoulder width greater than 559 mm (22 inches), openings that are no smaller than 480 mm x 660 mm (19 inches x 26 inches) or that are capable of admitting an ellipse of 480 mm x 660 mm (19 inches x 26 inches).

(c)Compliance with point 26.415(b)(1) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 27.805(c) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, CS 29.805(c) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent respectively, and with CS 27.807(b)(2) and (d) of CS-27 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, CS 29.807(d) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later respectively, CS 29.809(c) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent respectively, or with the following: Underwater emergency exits for flight crew and passengers must be proven by test, demonstration or analysis to provide for rapid escape with the helicopter in the upright floating position or capsized. The means to open an underwater emergency exit must be simple and obvious, must not require any exceptional effort, and must be evaluated.

(d)Compliance with point 26.415(b)(2) of Part-26 is demonstrated by complying with CS 29.811(h)(1) of CS-29 at Amendment 5 or later, or the equivalent, or with the following: Underwater emergency exits for flight crew and passengers must be provided with highly conspicuous illuminated markings that are provided along the periphery (but not necessarily continuously) of each underwater emergency exit that illuminate automatically and give a clear indication of the aperture and are designed to remain visible with the helicopter capsized and the cabin or cockpit flooded. The markings must be sufficient to highlight the full periphery. The additional illuminated markings must remain visible for at least 10 minutes following rotorcraft flooding. The method chosen to automatically activate the system (e.g. water immersion switch(es), tilt switch(es), etc.) must illuminate the markings immediately, or be already illuminated, when a capsize of the helicopter is inevitable.

[Issue: 26/4]