Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Provision of Individual Safety Briefings

PURPOSE

This Commercial & Business Aviation Advisory Circular (CBAAC) has been re-issued to remind air operators of their responsibilities regarding the provision of Individual Safety Briefings.

This CBAAC replaces Air Carrier Advisory Circular (ACAC) 0114 dated April 11, 1997.

REFERENCES

Sections 604.18, 703.39, 704.34 and 705.43 of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Sections 624.18, 723.39, 724.34 and 725.43 of the Commercial Air Service Standards (CASS).

BACKGROUND

Transport Canada has received a number of passenger complaints that the Individual Safety Briefing has not been given where required. Complainants have also indicated that when an individual briefing has been provided, the content has not always met the Standards. Further, that often the passenger is obliged to make a specific request for the briefing even when the need for one is obvious and the person has taken advantage of pre-boarding facilities.

Transport Canada has been informed that individual safety briefings are often given to a traveling companion and not the person for whom the briefing is required. When the passenger requiring the briefing is capable of understanding the content, the briefing must be given to the passenger, not a companion.

DISCUSSION

The CARs require that passengers are given a safety briefing in accordance with the applicable Standards.

Subsections 604.18(2), 703.39(2), 704.34(2) and 705.43(3) further require that where the Standard Safety Briefing is insufficient for a passenger because of that passenger’s physical, sensory or comprehension limitations or because that passenger is responsible for another person on board the aircraft, the pilot-in-command shall ensure that the passenger is given an individual safety briefing that:

1. is appropriate to the passenger’s needs, and
2. meets the applicable Standards.

Details of the required content of both the Standard and Individual Safety Briefings are provided in the following Standards:

• Private Operator Passenger Transportation Standards (624.18);
• Commercial Air Service Standards
  
  
  • 723 - Air Taxi (723.39)
  • 724 - Commuter Operations (724.34)
  • 725 - Airline Operations (725.43)

Failure to provide the Individual Safety Briefing when required results in a situation of non-compliance.

ACTION

Air Operators conducting operations in accordance with Subpart 604, 703, 704, or 705 of the CARs are reminded of the regulatory requirements respecting the provision of Individual Safety Briefings. In addition, these air operators are requested to take action as necessary to ensure that Individual Safety Briefings are provided properly as required.

CONCLUSION

Increased diligence on the part of crew members to identify passengers for whom the Standard Safety Briefing is insufficient, and to then provide an Individual Safety Briefing that meets the applicable Standard, will assure compliance and also ensure that such passengers are afforded an acceptable and equitable level of safety.

M.R. Preuss
Director
Commercial & Business Aviation