49 CFR · Part 175
49 CFR § 175.702
Separation distance requirements for packages containing Class 7 (radioactive) materials in cargo aircraft.
No person may carry in a cargo aircraft any package required by § 172.403 of this subchapter to be labeled Radioactive Yellow-II or Radioactive Yellow-III unless:
The total transport index for all packages does not exceed 50.0 and the packages are carried in accordance with § 175.701(a); or
The total transport index for all packages exceeds 50.0; and
The separation distance between the surfaces of the radioactive materials packages, overpacks or freight containers and any space occupied by live animals is at least 0.5 m (20 inches) for journeys not exceeding 24 hours and at least 1.0 m (39 inches) for journeys longer than 24 hours; and
The minimum separation distances between the radioactive material and any areas occupied by persons that are specified in the following table are maintained:
| Transport index or sum of transport indexes of all packages in the aircraft or predesignated area | Minimum separation distances | |
|---|---|---|
| Centimeters | Inches | |
| 50.1 to 60.0 | 465 | 183 |
| 60.1 to 70.0 | 505 | 199 |
| 70.1 to 80.0 | 545 | 215 |
| 80.1 to 90.0 | 580 | 228 |
| 90.1 to 100.0 | 610 | 240 |
| 100.1 to 110.0 | 645 | 254 |
| 110.1 to 120.0 | 670 | 264 |
| 120.1 to 130.0 | 700 | 276 |
| 130.1 to 140.0 | 730 | 287 |
| 140.1 to 150.0 | 755 | 297 |
| 150.1 to 160.0 | 780 | 307 |
| 160.1 to 170.0 | 805 | 317 |
| 170.1 to 180.0 | 830 | 327 |
| 180.1 to 190.0 | 855 | 337 |
| 190.1 to 200.0 | 875 | 344 |
In addition to the limits on combined criticality safety indexes stated in § 175.700(b),
The criticality safety index of any single group of packages must not exceed 50.0 (as used in this section, the term “group of packages” means packages that are separated from each other in an aircraft by a distance of 6 m (20 feet) or less); and
Each group of packages must be separated from every other group in the aircraft by not less than 6 m (20 feet), measured from the outer surface of each group.
Regulations Referenced
Reflects the eCFR edition current as of October 13, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on October 17, 2026.
Primary Source