Seat Belts & Restraints
U.S.-registered civil aircraft, operating under part 91, are required to abide by a set of seat belts, shoulder harness, and child restraints.
Introduction to Seat Belts & Restraints
- U.S.-registered civil aircraft operating under part 91 are required to abide by a set of seat belts, shoulder harnesses, and child restraints
- More than the physical requirement, however, comes the pilot's responsibility to brief all passengers on their use
- The use of a restraint, however, depends on if you are a passenger or crew member.
- Reinforce your understanding of Seat Belts & Restraints by completing the interactive scenario, comparing your performance with the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and reviewing the topic summary before moving on.
Seat Belts & Restraints Key Highlights
- Seat belts and restraint systems help protect aircraft occupants during turbulence, takeoff, landing, and accident situations.
- FAA regulations require pilots and passengers to use approved seat belts and shoulder harnesses during specified phases of flight.
- Pilots in command are responsible for ensuring passenger compliance with seat belt and restraint requirements.
- Shoulder harness systems significantly reduce the risk of head and upper-body injuries during impact events.
- Child restraint systems and approved occupant restraint devices may be used during aircraft operations under applicable regulations.
- Seat belt briefings should include fastening procedures, emergency egress considerations, and operational requirements before departure.
- Improperly secured occupants or loose objects can create additional hazards during turbulence or emergency situations.
- Aircraft inspections should verify restraint system condition, functionality, and security before flight operations.
- Modern aircraft restraint systems may incorporate inertia reels, airbags, or enhanced occupant protection technologies.
- Understanding seat belt and restraint requirements improves passenger safety, regulatory compliance, and overall flight safety.
Briefing and Notification
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Seatbelt Briefing:
- Before takeoff, the pilot in command (PIC) must ensure each person aboard is briefed on how to fasten and unfasten the safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness.
- The PIC may delegate the briefing but remains responsible for ensuring it occurs
- The briefing is required once before takeoff on each flight, while separate notifications are required before surface movement, takeoff, and landing
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Seatbelt Notification:
- The pilot-in-command must then ensure each person on board has been notified to fasten their safety belt and, if installed, their shoulder harness before surface movement, take off, or landing.
- Beyond the required notifications for surface movement, takeoff, and landing, encourage passengers to keep their restraints fastened whenever seated because unexpected turbulence can occur before a warning is possible.
- Note that notification is required during three separate occasions (surface movement, takeoff, and landing)
- You may recognize this requirement being met on airliners between announcements when you board, videos/recordings after boarding, and final announcements before landing
- No briefing or notification is required for free balloons that incorporate a basket or gondola, or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987
Passenger Use
- Except as provided in this paragraph, each person on board a U.S.-registered civil aircraft(except a free balloon that incorporates a basket or gondola or an airship type certificated before November 2, 1987) must occupy an approved seat or berth with a safety belt and, if installed, shoulder harness, properly secured about their during movement on the surface, takeoff, and landing. For seaplane and float-equipped rotorcraft operations during movement on the surface, the person pushing off the seaplane or rotorcraft from the dock and the person mooring the seaplane or rotorcraft at the dock are excepted from the preceding seating and safety belt requirements
- Notwithstanding the preceding requirements of this paragraph, a person may:
- Be held by an adult who is occupying an approved seat or berth, provided that the person being held has not reached their second birthday and does not occupy or use any restraining device;
- Use the floor of the aircraft as a seat, provided that the person is on board to engage in sport parachuting; or.
- Notwithstanding any other requirement of this chapter, occupy an approved child restraint system furnished by the operator or one of the persons described in FAR 91.107 paragraph(a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section provided that:
- The child is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or attendant designated by the child's parent or guardian to attend to the safety of the child during the flight;
- Except as provided in FAR 91.107 paragraph(a)(3)(iii)(B)(4) of this action, the approved child restraint system bears one or more labels as follows:
- Seats manufactured to U.S. standards between January 1, 1981, and February 25, 1985, must bear the label: "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.";
- Seats manufactured to U.S. standards on or after February 26, 1985, must bear two labels:
- "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards"; and.
- "THIS RESTRAINT IS CERTIFIED FOR USE IN MOTOR VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT" in red lettering;
- Seats that do not qualify under FAR 91.107 paragraphs(a)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and(a)(3)(iii)(B)(2) of this section must bear a label or markings showing:
- That the seat was approved by a foreign government;
- That the seat was manufactured under the standards of the United Nations;
- That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the operator was approved by the FAA through a Type Certificate or Supplemental Type Certificate; or.
- That the seat or child restraint device furnished by the operator or one of the persons described in FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) 91.107 paragraph (a)(3)(iii)(A) of this section was approved by the FAA per FAR 21.8(d) of this chapter or Technical Standard Order C-100b or a later version. The child restraint device manufactured by AmSafe, Inc. (CARES, Part No. 4082) and approved by the FAA per FAR 21.305(d) (2010 ed.) of this chapter may continue to bear a label or markings showing FAA approval per FAR 21.305(d) (2010 ed.) of this chapter.
- Except as provided in Sec. 91.107(a)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iii) and Sec. 91.107(a)(3)(iii)(B)(3)(iv), booster-type child restraint systems(as defined in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 213(49 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 571.213)), vest- and harness-type child restraint systems, and lap held child restraints are not approved for use in aircraft; and.
- The operator complies with the following requirements:
- The restraint system must be properly secured to an approved forward-facing seat or berth;
- The child must be properly secured in the restraint system and must not exceed the specified weight limit for the restraint system; and.
- The restraint system must bear the appropriate label(s).
Crew Members
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Seatbelts:
- During takeoff and landing, and while en route, each required flight crewmember shall:
- Be at the crewmember station unless the absence is necessary to perform duties in connection with the operation of the aircraft or in connection with physiological needs; and.
- Keep the safety belt fastened while at the crewmember station.
- During takeoff and landing, and while en route, each required flight crewmember shall:
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Shoulder Harnesses:
- Each required flight crewmember of a U.S.-registered civil aircraft shall, during takeoff and landing, keep his or her shoulder harness fastened while at his or her assigned duty station.
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Exceptions:
- The seat at the crewmember's station is not equipped with a shoulder harness; or.
- The crewmember would be unable to perform required duties with the shoulder harness fastened.
Seat Belts & Restraints Interactive Scenario
The Family Flight With an Improvised Child Seat
Prepare and conduct a family flight while resolving passenger briefing, child-restraint, crew-harness, turbulence, and seating questions. Abbreviations used in this scenario: Air Traffic Control (ATC).
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Seat Belts & Restraints Lessons & Case Studies
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: DCA25LA234:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The airplane’s encounter with convective turbulence during climb while diverting to an alternate airport, resulting in a serious injury to a passenger who disregarded the flight crew’s illuminated seat belt sign and the cabin crew’s instruction to remain seated.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA105:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot’s failure to properly identify the proper anchor point for the supplemental harness and the crew’s incorrect use of the restraint system structure as an anchor point, which resulted in the separation of the structure.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN25LA046:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: A total loss of engine power and subsequent autorotation to a swamp, that resulted in a rollover. Contributing to the pilot’s delayed egression from the gyroplane, was the lack of a restraint system cutting device.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN23LA178:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The right rear-seat passenger’s improper judgement to release his restraint system and depart the helicopter while in a hover, which resulted in him sustaining serious injuries. Contributing to the accident was his impairment from effects of alcohol consumption.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: ERA21LA383:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The flight instructor’s inadequate preflight and inflight fuel planning, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. Contributing to the flight instructor’s injury was her failure to wear the shoulder harness.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN21FA345:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The flight crew’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a simulated engine failure during initial climb after takeoff, which led to an aerodynamic stall/spin and loss of control. Contributing to the severity of the occupants’ injuries was the airplane’s lack of shoulder harnesses.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN20LA227:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to remove the seat belt used as a flight control lock from the aft cockpit control stick before takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control during takeoff and collision with terrain.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: GAA19CA324:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to properly tighten his seat belt, which allowed him to slide forward in his seat and resulted in his inadvertent application of excessive brake application during the landing roll and a subsequent noseover.
- National Transportation Safety Board Identification: CEN19LA266:
- The NTSB determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be: The unexpected wake turbulence encounter while climbing in smooth air to cruise, resulting in passenger injuries. Contributing to the accident was the passenger seat belt sign was off.
Seat Belts & Restraints Conclusion
- Note that while shoulder harnesses are required for takeoff, landing, and surface movement, they are not required enroute if it interferes with pilot duties or if not installed
- These requirements for seat belts, harnesses, and child restraints apply to general aviation operations
- The rules above do not apply to operations conducted under parts 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter
- Although much regarding seat belts and restraints is grounded in law, don't forget to show passengers how to adjust this safety equipment for their comfort
- To learn more about seat belt inspection, see AOPA's Tips for Examining Your Aircraft Seat Belts.
- Still looking for something? Continue searching:
Seat Belts & Restraints References
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Pilot/Controller Glossary.
- Advisory Circular (21-34) Shoulder Harness - Seat Belt Installations.
- FAA Safety Briefing (July/August 2014).
- Yodice, John. S. (2012, September 1). PILOT COUNSEL: FARS 91.105 And 91.107 The Rules On Seat Belts And Shoulder Harnesses. Retrieved from https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2012/september/01/pilot-counsel-fars-91-105-and-91-107.
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.105) Flight crewmembers at stations.
- Federal Aviation Regulations (91.107) Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and child restraint systems.
- Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) - Tips for Examining Your Aircraft Seat Belts.
- AOPA - Adding Shoulder Harnesses Can Increase Safety.