SAE AIR5690A

This SAE Aerospace Information Report (AIR) identifies the risks and dangers associated with the carriage and use of pyrotechnic signaling devices in transport category aircraft life rafts and slide/rafts, and provides a rationale for allowing the use of alternative non-pyrotechnic devices authorized by FAA/TSO-C168. These devices offer an equivalent level of safety while eliminating flight safety risks, enhancing survivability of aircraft ditching survivors, reducing costs, eliminating dangerous goods transportation and handling issues, and reducing environmental impact of dangerous goods disposal. Pyrotechnic signaling devices (flares) carried within transport category overwater survival kits represent a clear danger to survivors of aircraft ditching incidents and a flight security risk. AIR5690 is rewritten at this revision to better illustrate these risks and to establish a rationale for permitting the use of Aviation Visual Distress Signals authorized by FAA/TSO-C168 as an alternative to pyrotechnic devices in meeting applicable regulatory requirements. The term “aviation distress signal” and “ADS” have been revised to “aviation visual distress signal” and “AVDS” to harmonize with the nomenclature of FAA/TSO-C168. The title of the AIR is changed to more clearly identify the context of the information contained herein. AIR5690A has been reaffirmed to comply with the SAE Five-Year Review policy.