Skip to content

A gradual release of Avioverse begins in October 2026. Request early access →

SPO.IDE.H.160 Seats, seat safety belts and restraint systems

ANNEX VIII (Part-SPO) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IRImplementing rule

SPO.IDE.H.160Seats, seat safety belts and restraint systems

(a)Helicopters shall be equipped with:

(1)a seat or station for each crew member or task specialist on board;

(2)a seat belt on each seat, and restraint devices for each station;

(3)for helicopters first issued with an individual CofA after 31 December 2012, a seat belt with an upper torso restraint system for each seat; and

(4)a seat belt with upper torso restraint system incorporating a device that will automatically restrain the occupant’s torso in the event of rapid deceleration on each flight crew seat.

(b)A seat belt with upper torso restraint system shall have a single point release.

IR · SPO.IDE.H.160 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) No 379/2014 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC2 SPO.IDE.H.160Seats, seat safety belts and restraint systems

Show the text

UPPER TORSO RESTRAINT SYSTEM The following systems are deemed to be compliant with the requirement for an upper torso restraint system:

(a)For other-than complex helicopters, a seat belt with a diagonal shoulder strap;

(b)For all helicopters, a restraint system having a seat belt and two shoulder straps that may be used independently.

(c)For all helicopters, a restraint system having a seat belt, two shoulder straps and additional straps that may be used independently.

SEAT BELT A seat belt with a diagonal shoulder strap (three anchorage points) is deemed to be compliant with the requirement for a seat belt (two anchorage points).

AMC · AMC2 SPO.IDE.H.160 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/018/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

All rules in SUBPART D: INSTRUMENTS, DATA AND EQUIPMENT

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 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.

Ask Metis about SPO.IDE.H.160 →

Metis opens with Avioverse in October 2026 · request early access.