135.87 Flights over water

• (a) A person performing an air operation must not operate over water more than 10 nm beyond gliding or autorotational distance from shore unless--
  • (1) life rafts are carried of sufficient rated capacity to carry every occupant of the aircraft; and
  • (2) a life preserver is worn by each passenger.
• (b) A person performing an air operation in a single engine helicopter must not operate over water more than 10 nm beyond autorotational distance from shore unless--
  • (1) the helicopter is equipped with an operable flotation device; or
  • (2) each occupant is wearing an immersion suit.
• (c) The operator of a multi-engine aircraft may, instead of the requirement in paragraph (a)(2), have life preservers available for use in a position accessible to each passenger.
• (d) A person performing an air transport operation over water beyond 100 nm from shore must conduct the flight under IFR.