---
title: "CAT.IDE.H.290 Life-jackets — Part-CAT · Avioverse"
description: "Helicopters shall be equipped with a life-jacket for each person on board or equivalent floatation device for each person on board younger than 24…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-d/cat-ide-h-290"
---

# CAT.IDE.H.290 Life-jackets

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

IR Implementing rule

## CAT.IDE.H.290 Life-jackets

(a) Helicopters shall be equipped with a life-jacket for each person on board or equivalent floatation device for each person on board younger than 24 months, stowed in a position that is readily accessible from the seat or berth of the person for whose use it is provided, when operated in:

(1) performance class 1 or 2 on a flight over water at a distance from land corresponding to more than 10 minutes flying time at normal cruising speed;

(2) performance class 3 on a flight over water beyond autorotational distance from land;

(3) performance class 2 or 3 when taking off or landing at an aerodrome or [operating site](https://avioverse.aero/glossary/easa/operating-site) where the take-off or approach path is over water.

(b) Each life-jacket or equivalent individual flotation device shall be equipped with a means of electric illumination for the purpose of facilitating the location of persons.

IR · CAT.IDE.H.290 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC1 CAT.IDE.H.290 Life-jackets

ACCESSIBILITY

The life-jacket should be accessible from the seat or berth of the person for whose use it is provided, with a safety belt or harness fastened.

AMC · AMC1 CAT.IDE.H.290 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/015/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMC Acceptable means of compliance

## AMC2 CAT.IDE.H.290(b) Life-jackets

ELECTRIC ILLUMINATION

The means of electric illumination should be a survivor locator light as defined in the applicable ETSO issued by the Agency or equivalent.

AMC · AMC2 CAT.IDE.H.290(b) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2015/007/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GM Guidance material

## GM1 CAT.IDE.H.290 Life-jackets

SEAT CUSHIONS

Seat cushions are not considered to be flotation devices.

GM · GM1 CAT.IDE.H.290 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2014/015/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

[All rules in SUBPART D: INSTRUMENTS, DATA, EQUIPMENT](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/air-ops/part-cat/subpart-d)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 13 Oct 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.