---
title: "ETSO-2C168a — CS-ETSO · Avioverse"
description: "Aviation Visual Distress Signals 1 Applicability This ETSO provides the requirements that aviation visual distress signals that are designed and…"
url: "https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/cs-etso/subpart-b/etso-2c168a"
---

# ETSO-2C168a

European Technical Standard Orders (CS-ETSO) · CS-ETSO · EAR revision 1 Oct 2026

IR Implementing rule

## ETSO-2C168a

Aviation Visual Distress Signals

1 Applicability

This ETSO provides the requirements that aviation visual distress signals that are designed and manufactured on or after the date of this ETSO must meet in order to be identified with the applicable ETSO marking.

2 Procedures

2.1 General

The applicable procedures are detailed in CS-ETSO, Subpart A.

2.2 Specific

None.

3 Technical Conditions

3.1 Basic

3.1.1 Minimum Performance Standard

For handheld, high-intensity, stroboscopic light sources that can be added to aviation survival kits to supplement pyrotechnic devices, the standard is that provided in SAE International’s Aerospace Standard AS5134A, ‘Aviation Distress Signal’, dated 27 September 2007.

For handheld, high-intensity, light-emitting diode (LED) technology sources that can be added to aviation survival kits to supplement pyrotechnic devices, the standard is that provided in SAE International’s Aerospace Standard AS5134C, ‘Aviation Visual Distress Signals’, dated August 2020, with the angle θ of Section 4.3.3 increased from 80° to 95°.

3.1.2 Environmental Standard

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 2.1.

3.1.3 Software

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 2.2.

3.1.4 Airborne Electronic Hardware

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 2.3.

3.2 Specific

3.2.1 Failure Condition Classification

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 2.4.

3.2.2 Others

These light sources must:

eliminate the significant potential equipment and personnel hazards that are posed by untrained personnel using pyrotechnics in inflatable life rafts; and provide an equivalent level of safety to pyrotechnics that aid in locating and rescuing aviation accident survivors.

4 Marking

4.1 General

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 1.2.

4.2 Specific

None.

5 Availability of Referenced Documents

See CS-ETSO, Subpart A, paragraph 3.

\[Amdt ETSO/16]

\[Amdt ETSO/17]

IR · ETSO-2C168a — CS-ETSO · ED Decision 2022/018/R · CS-ETSO Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 1 Oct 2026

[All rules in SUBPART B – LIST OF ETSOs](https://avioverse.aero/regulations/easa/cs-etso/subpart-b)

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 1 Oct 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.