Airman Certification Standards
ACS PA.IX.D
Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear
Knowledge
Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) operations, limitations, and testing requirements. Private Pilot for Airplane Category ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)54
Fire extinguisher operations and limitations.
Emergency equipment and survival gear needed for:
a. Climate extremes (hot/cold)
b. Mountainous terrain
c. Overwater operations
When to deploy a ballistic parachute and associated passenger briefings, if equipped.
When to activate an emergency auto-land system and brief passengers, if equipped.
Risk Management
Survival gear (water, clothing, shelter) for 48 to 72 hours.
Use of a ballistic parachute system.
Use of an emergency auto-land system, if installed.
Skill
Identify appropriate equipment and personal gear.
Brief passengers on proper use of on-board emergency equipment and survival gear.
Simulate ballistic parachute deployment procedures, if equipped.
Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.